LARGO WINCH II/ THE BURMA CONSPIRACY

France, 2011, 119 minutes, Colour.
Tomer Sisley, Sharon Stone, Ulrich Tukur, Mame Nakprasitte, Olivier Barthelemy, Laurent Terzieff, Nicholas Vaude, Clemens Schick.
Directed by Jerome Salle.

In 2008, the original Largo Winch film was released, based on comic books by Hamme and Franq. It was a blend of realism with comic book heroics, a story of an orphan, selected in Eastern Europe by a man who was to become a multimillionaire director of the company but who was murdered and leaves his fortune and the companies to the orphan son.

The young man is seen in Brazil, imprisoned, making an escape and returning to Hong Kong so that he can take charge of the company. Various members of the board, especially the deputy, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, are against him. But, he eventually wins out, taking over in dismissing the deputy.

The sequel is something of a prequel, tracing the history already known about the orphan, but situating him for several months in Burma, where he mixes with the locals, is in a relationship – and it is later revealed that they have a child. When there is a massacre in the village, organised by a rogue general, clearing the area so that international companies can come in to mine nickel, a United Nations representative decides to arrest Largo Winch and charge with crimes against humanity.

Once again, Toma Sisley is Largo Winch. The surprise is that the United Nations prosecutor is played by Sharon Stone, drawing on her sexy image as well as her tough stances and investigations. Also in the background is a mysterious presence, played by veteran actor, Laurent Terzieff, looking particularly drawn and emaciated.

A lot of the action takes place in Burma, interesting in terms of Largo Winch’s presence, and his return to vindicate himself, after he has been denounced by the young woman. The MC on his yacht is sent to find an adventurer who had been a chauffeur for a European entrepreneur sent to Burma to facilitate the mining deals. Winch himself is able to confront the general and vindicate himself in the eyes of the United Nations.

Once again, the director is Jerome Salle.

1. The impact of the original film? The impact of the sequel? The continuity between each film?

2. The title, the emphasis on Burma? Largo and his presence there, the plot for the nickel mining, the general, the massacre, the shooting of the European entrepreneur, the consequences, the accusations, Largo’s return?

3. The Burmese locations, the jungle, the beauty? Hong Kong, Geneva? Colourful? The musical score?

4. Action sequences, stunt work, the fights, the chases? Explosions? The final freefall and parachuting? Credibility?

5. Largo and his background, his father, the orphan, his growing up, his father’s search for him, the plan, his being the heir? His being in Burma, living in the village, the girl, the relationship? His inheriting the company? His plans?

6. The Burmese sequences, life in the village, the girl, having the child? The general and the brutality of the attack? His shooting the European? Simon, the chauffeur, the military attacking him, Largo saving his life? The escape?

7. Diane Frank, Sharon Stone, her assistant? The United Nations, her private life and sexual behaviour? Prosecutor, the agents, the arrest of Largo, meeting with him, the girl and her testimony, the note in his pocket? The charges, the escape? His continuing his vindication of himself? The bank account, the codeword, Pandora? Diane listening in, the evidence? Her statements on television? The sending of the seven dollars, to get attention? Her announcement about his guilt, the confrontation, his rescuing her, the shootout? The final announcement on television?

8. Alexandre and Largo, the friendship with his father, the old man, listening to the situation, offering his help, contacts? The continued support? The revelation of the truth, his hatred and jealousy, his motivations, the death of his son, orchestrating the takeover, the sending of the assassins, the final confrontation and the building, the threats to Diane and, his death?

9. Thomas, in Burma, Simon driving him, the deal, the General, his being executed? His corruption? The revelation that Alexandre was his father?

10. Simon, his life, as a driver? Gauthier and his manner on the yacht, his fastidious serving of drinks? His travelling Asia, tracking Simon down? The variety of locations, in the jungle, in Thailand? The success of his mission?

11. Largo, his inheritance, wanting to sell inheritance, to make a foundation, to help eliminate poverty in the world? Cochrane, official, the discussions, the price? The central Asian entrepreneur, crooked, the assumptions that he was the villain?

12. The killers, the attack, Simon and Largo taking the pilots, on the plane, with the assassins, the phone calls, the fight – and the elaborate skydiving?

13. The General, his greed, holding the baby for ransom, the pressure on the girl, her note to Largo, his return, finding her, the truth, that his father was not involved in the massacre? The general and his men, the plan, the fighting, the shooting? The girl dead? Largo taking the child?

14. The humane touches, the child, Largo and his love of the child? A satisfactory resolution?