The remaining members of the unlikely rock'n'roll outfit the Leningrad Cowboys decide to travel from Mexico to their homeland of Siberia at the behest of their manager Vladimir Kuzmin (robustly played by Matti Pellonpaa), who believes he's the reincarnation of Moses.
While writer/director Aki Kaurismaki recaptures to a reasonable degree the deliciously dry'n'deadpan humor of the original, he nonetheless fails to retain the loopy charm that made the first film so special and delightful. In its place there's a more somber and subdued sensibility that manages to be fairly amusing and enjoyable in spots, but overall gives off a rather negative vibe that's a tad off-putting. On the plus side, this movie offers a neat exploration of the seedier side of Europe -- a stop over at a bingo hall in particular proves to be a definite highlight -- and the still lovably stoic and eccentric group perform several songs with commendable aplomb. A passable follow-up.
While writer/director Aki Kaurismaki recaptures to a reasonable degree the deliciously dry'n'deadpan humor of the original, he nonetheless fails to retain the loopy charm that made the first film so special and delightful. In its place there's a more somber and subdued sensibility that manages to be fairly amusing and enjoyable in spots, but overall gives off a rather negative vibe that's a tad off-putting. On the plus side, this movie offers a neat exploration of the seedier side of Europe -- a stop over at a bingo hall in particular proves to be a definite highlight -- and the still lovably stoic and eccentric group perform several songs with commendable aplomb. A passable follow-up.