The funny thing about adulthood is that we never really stop learning and growing because none of us really know everything for life is boundless. But also how distance can make us appreciate but even more closer to home.
This is the second volume in the "Anne" saga and thankfully doesn't disappoint as it's good as the first. It makes sense there would be a sequel miniseries as in the 80's sequels were one the rise so now was a perfect time. Some would argue that this isn't as good as the first which is understandable as the first story most of the time is the best story in a series, but what makes this sequel work is that it doesn't try to outdo it's predecessor, which is a risk that doesn't always pay off. Instead, this sequel is being good in it's own way by continuing and progressing the story in a different direction but at the same time staying the course which is a tricky balance but this film achieves it.
The elements from the first film are still there from the beautiful location which is still beautiful to look at as the film was still filmed in Ontario, Canada in Prince Edward Island. Once again it captures a time long gone, we see Kingsport which is a little more of a civilized place but it's not a city at least not yet. It feels like a place that is still forming despite certain civilized places like some buildings, roads, carriages, etc. There is still a lot of open country which feels like possibilities are still endless and constantly forming which perfectly reflects Anne's state of mind in the film.
The music is also beautiful as there are some of the tunes, we are all familiar with but also some new tunes. I always love playing these tunes just whenever I like to relax but most importantly that theme song just gives me a good feeling as it's a romantic and optimistic tune that not just sings Anne but the romance of life and freedom.
Like those certain key characters are still intact, two of them Diane and Gilbert though not for much of the miniseries which is a slight drawback to this sequel. But that's just how the original story went, let alone this series is about Anne so I can't complain much. And both Diana and Gilbert do get a good amount of screen time in the right places and still play significant roles in Anne's life so I wouldn't fret much either.
There are the humorous moments most notably the Cow chase scene, its' funny because it's a little throwback to the first story where Anne would sometimes get into shenanigans and Diane would roll her eyes and follow as she's her friend, of course same thing happens in the present; this further shows the old saying, "The more things change the more they stay the same." It's also plain fun physical comedy as both are getting tired fast, well running with high heels in mud can do that. As for what happens afterward only thing, I can say is it could have been worse, I think. Another is seeing Anne helping Emmeline and her friend sneak out at night to go out and have fun or something, of course knowing this series, things don't go as planned.
There are new characters that to me don't disappoint one favorite of mine is Emmeline played well by Genevieve Appleton shame she never did even more but oh well. Anyway, I crushed on the actress a little a bit of an honorable mention in my book of celeb crushes which isn't bad. I thought she was kind of cute, sure she didn't look like anyone that would be on per say the CW but that's a good thing, because to me she just has that down to earth beauty inside and out in my book anyway.
I like in a way there are a few parallels with her and Anne as she no doubt has some of Anne in her. From her love of poetry and the arts, her constantly drive to improve and enhance her intellect. And like Anne she is not without her hardships as unfortunately she is targeted not so much because of her outsider persona but really by class. Despite going to one of the best schools in the country, in the eyes of some she's not considered an equal. I really love there is this passive aggressiveness to her in what she does but also in her emotions.
One of my favorite scenes is the fight, where all she's doing is riding a bike with her friend but then this one-character Jan Pringle whom I really hate as she's a spoiled b.... with a capital B, sorry that sounds bold, but you ever spend minutes with her, you'd lose you cool in seconds. Anyway, she of course is just saying some typical bully rhetoric (if you want to call it that) crap toward Emmeline and trips her up not even considering she could of literally killed both Emilie and her friend and let just say Emmeline serve's Jan her own bullcrap, (yeah doesn't taste good does it). But I love this because it shows Emmeline isn't a person that takes crap from anyone.
She's not shy per say but a little ill confidant, she really has big dreams and wants to do more with her life she just needs the right motivation and drive to find the courage to do so, and Anne helps her do just that.
Captain Morgan Harris is another soild edition, the actor kind of looks like Robert Redford, ok not quite but has the same hair style and in one scene wore an outfit that Rob had in one of his movies. Anyway he's interesting as he has a bit of a character arc; at first, he does come off as just a bit unlikeable as he did at first try to get Anne canned from the school, with the help of the overly strict head master. But we can forgive him for this as this was an act of desperation as he did this to protect his daughter because he wants her to succeed. From his persona you can tell where Emilie gets some of it from, he's also somewhat passive aggressive as he's a person that seems heavily guarded both professionally and personally which is why he's not an easy man to connect with but mainly because he's a widower. Deep down though this guy really does want to connect again but he just forgotten how, just like with his daughter he just needs the right motivation to jump start him once again.
There are lots of character relationships and developments and character arcs which was always the best thing about the Anne saga.
From Anne and Emmeline whom I feel are more than just the teacher and student relationship but also feels like a sisterly relationship though also could be at times the mom figure Emieline never had in life, which is what makes this even more endearing.
One of the other relationships is with Emmeline and her father we see the father daughter relationship is a little strained as Morgan has made himself distant. Obviously from being a widower it's made him not exactly and entirely sure how to bond with his daughter on his own, which is understandable with people just given the role of single parent. He does love her and wants the best for her but he's not there enough for her when she needs him, let along to just simply visit.
Anne's education in life still continues, she's not as naïve as she uses to be as she's became more mature but is still young and inexperienced. Throughout the film Anne despite going through the motions of her new positions, she is still looking and searching as she's indecisive she hasn't entirely decided what she wants in life but most of all what she wants it to be. We see her adjust to her new life slowly but surely and from how organic it feels she really could live here. But she's also conflicted as she spends more time in Kingsport, it makes her miss home and the people she left behind even more.
There are a lot of themes like the importance of time and spending it wisely and well while you have it because one day time runs out. This is something that goes on throughout the sequel and with each of the crucial characters; like with Morgan to be there for his daughter, from the age she's in her final year in that academy is near let alone close to adulthood which means it will soon be her turn to go away and just like him may not always be around to visit.
Let alone with Anne and her relationship with Gilbert along with Diane, she makes that fundamental mistake of thinking they'll always be around, but life happens to everyone which means things can go different directions for anyone and everyone. From what happens to one of them latter on she realizes the hard way how little time there really was.
The other theme is one being true to your heart in your decisions and desires with them and not what society dictates for you to have.
This is reflected in two scenes that parallel and contrast with each other as there is a proposal from two characters.
The first one was with of course Gilbert; we see Anne make a choice but it doesn't feel like a genuine choice as it was not so much just indecisiveness but fear. You can tell from her time away she has occasionally that look of regret as she is completely uncertain if she's really taken steps forward in a direction in life or is just running away from the direction she wants to take in her heart.
One other moment is between Anne and Captain Morgan. We see his feelings for her (and her's almost) more than platonic, the time both spend together it really feels like you can go either way and almost do. Saying yes to Morgan would cement her place in Kingsport and also possibly guarantee her that vast adventure, she's desires, let alone Morgan is very close to that ideal guy she has in her dreams. But we all know this would be the easy way and as the old sayings go "the easy way isn't always the best way." and "dreams and reality are two very different stories".
That moment in a way combines both proposals as it's a pivotal moment in Anne's life in not just deciding what she wants her life to be but what her heart truly desires from life.
When one goes beyond it is not just to find one's desires, home is never far away from one's heart.
Rating: 4 stars.
This is the second volume in the "Anne" saga and thankfully doesn't disappoint as it's good as the first. It makes sense there would be a sequel miniseries as in the 80's sequels were one the rise so now was a perfect time. Some would argue that this isn't as good as the first which is understandable as the first story most of the time is the best story in a series, but what makes this sequel work is that it doesn't try to outdo it's predecessor, which is a risk that doesn't always pay off. Instead, this sequel is being good in it's own way by continuing and progressing the story in a different direction but at the same time staying the course which is a tricky balance but this film achieves it.
The elements from the first film are still there from the beautiful location which is still beautiful to look at as the film was still filmed in Ontario, Canada in Prince Edward Island. Once again it captures a time long gone, we see Kingsport which is a little more of a civilized place but it's not a city at least not yet. It feels like a place that is still forming despite certain civilized places like some buildings, roads, carriages, etc. There is still a lot of open country which feels like possibilities are still endless and constantly forming which perfectly reflects Anne's state of mind in the film.
The music is also beautiful as there are some of the tunes, we are all familiar with but also some new tunes. I always love playing these tunes just whenever I like to relax but most importantly that theme song just gives me a good feeling as it's a romantic and optimistic tune that not just sings Anne but the romance of life and freedom.
Like those certain key characters are still intact, two of them Diane and Gilbert though not for much of the miniseries which is a slight drawback to this sequel. But that's just how the original story went, let alone this series is about Anne so I can't complain much. And both Diana and Gilbert do get a good amount of screen time in the right places and still play significant roles in Anne's life so I wouldn't fret much either.
There are the humorous moments most notably the Cow chase scene, its' funny because it's a little throwback to the first story where Anne would sometimes get into shenanigans and Diane would roll her eyes and follow as she's her friend, of course same thing happens in the present; this further shows the old saying, "The more things change the more they stay the same." It's also plain fun physical comedy as both are getting tired fast, well running with high heels in mud can do that. As for what happens afterward only thing, I can say is it could have been worse, I think. Another is seeing Anne helping Emmeline and her friend sneak out at night to go out and have fun or something, of course knowing this series, things don't go as planned.
There are new characters that to me don't disappoint one favorite of mine is Emmeline played well by Genevieve Appleton shame she never did even more but oh well. Anyway, I crushed on the actress a little a bit of an honorable mention in my book of celeb crushes which isn't bad. I thought she was kind of cute, sure she didn't look like anyone that would be on per say the CW but that's a good thing, because to me she just has that down to earth beauty inside and out in my book anyway.
I like in a way there are a few parallels with her and Anne as she no doubt has some of Anne in her. From her love of poetry and the arts, her constantly drive to improve and enhance her intellect. And like Anne she is not without her hardships as unfortunately she is targeted not so much because of her outsider persona but really by class. Despite going to one of the best schools in the country, in the eyes of some she's not considered an equal. I really love there is this passive aggressiveness to her in what she does but also in her emotions.
One of my favorite scenes is the fight, where all she's doing is riding a bike with her friend but then this one-character Jan Pringle whom I really hate as she's a spoiled b.... with a capital B, sorry that sounds bold, but you ever spend minutes with her, you'd lose you cool in seconds. Anyway, she of course is just saying some typical bully rhetoric (if you want to call it that) crap toward Emmeline and trips her up not even considering she could of literally killed both Emilie and her friend and let just say Emmeline serve's Jan her own bullcrap, (yeah doesn't taste good does it). But I love this because it shows Emmeline isn't a person that takes crap from anyone.
She's not shy per say but a little ill confidant, she really has big dreams and wants to do more with her life she just needs the right motivation and drive to find the courage to do so, and Anne helps her do just that.
Captain Morgan Harris is another soild edition, the actor kind of looks like Robert Redford, ok not quite but has the same hair style and in one scene wore an outfit that Rob had in one of his movies. Anyway he's interesting as he has a bit of a character arc; at first, he does come off as just a bit unlikeable as he did at first try to get Anne canned from the school, with the help of the overly strict head master. But we can forgive him for this as this was an act of desperation as he did this to protect his daughter because he wants her to succeed. From his persona you can tell where Emilie gets some of it from, he's also somewhat passive aggressive as he's a person that seems heavily guarded both professionally and personally which is why he's not an easy man to connect with but mainly because he's a widower. Deep down though this guy really does want to connect again but he just forgotten how, just like with his daughter he just needs the right motivation to jump start him once again.
There are lots of character relationships and developments and character arcs which was always the best thing about the Anne saga.
From Anne and Emmeline whom I feel are more than just the teacher and student relationship but also feels like a sisterly relationship though also could be at times the mom figure Emieline never had in life, which is what makes this even more endearing.
One of the other relationships is with Emmeline and her father we see the father daughter relationship is a little strained as Morgan has made himself distant. Obviously from being a widower it's made him not exactly and entirely sure how to bond with his daughter on his own, which is understandable with people just given the role of single parent. He does love her and wants the best for her but he's not there enough for her when she needs him, let along to just simply visit.
Anne's education in life still continues, she's not as naïve as she uses to be as she's became more mature but is still young and inexperienced. Throughout the film Anne despite going through the motions of her new positions, she is still looking and searching as she's indecisive she hasn't entirely decided what she wants in life but most of all what she wants it to be. We see her adjust to her new life slowly but surely and from how organic it feels she really could live here. But she's also conflicted as she spends more time in Kingsport, it makes her miss home and the people she left behind even more.
There are a lot of themes like the importance of time and spending it wisely and well while you have it because one day time runs out. This is something that goes on throughout the sequel and with each of the crucial characters; like with Morgan to be there for his daughter, from the age she's in her final year in that academy is near let alone close to adulthood which means it will soon be her turn to go away and just like him may not always be around to visit.
Let alone with Anne and her relationship with Gilbert along with Diane, she makes that fundamental mistake of thinking they'll always be around, but life happens to everyone which means things can go different directions for anyone and everyone. From what happens to one of them latter on she realizes the hard way how little time there really was.
The other theme is one being true to your heart in your decisions and desires with them and not what society dictates for you to have.
This is reflected in two scenes that parallel and contrast with each other as there is a proposal from two characters.
The first one was with of course Gilbert; we see Anne make a choice but it doesn't feel like a genuine choice as it was not so much just indecisiveness but fear. You can tell from her time away she has occasionally that look of regret as she is completely uncertain if she's really taken steps forward in a direction in life or is just running away from the direction she wants to take in her heart.
One other moment is between Anne and Captain Morgan. We see his feelings for her (and her's almost) more than platonic, the time both spend together it really feels like you can go either way and almost do. Saying yes to Morgan would cement her place in Kingsport and also possibly guarantee her that vast adventure, she's desires, let alone Morgan is very close to that ideal guy she has in her dreams. But we all know this would be the easy way and as the old sayings go "the easy way isn't always the best way." and "dreams and reality are two very different stories".
That moment in a way combines both proposals as it's a pivotal moment in Anne's life in not just deciding what she wants her life to be but what her heart truly desires from life.
When one goes beyond it is not just to find one's desires, home is never far away from one's heart.
Rating: 4 stars.