Oliver Stone, a director known for his impactful and often controversial films, once considered retirement after the intense experience of creating Natural Born Killers. The toll of that film, and perhaps JFK before it, led him to declare he might not have another movie in him. Looking back at his post-1994 filmography, one can see a shift in his directorial style, and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps unfortunately exemplifies this change. While the trailers might have promised a return to form with compelling scenes, the final product reveals a film that ultimately falls flat, failing to recapture the raw energy and sharp commentary of Stone’s earlier work, particularly the original Wall Street.
Before 1994, Stone’s films were characterized by their raw, edgy, and rebellious nature. Films like World Trade Center, W., and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, while appearing to engage with politically charged or hard-hitting subjects, lack the same bite. They come across as tame, even pleasing, suggesting a director who has lost his appetite for confrontation. Perhaps the pressures of Hollywood, financial obligations, or simply a desire for less tumultuous productions have softened Stone’s approach. Whatever the reason, Wall Street 2 feels like a studio-pleasing job rather than a passionate artistic statement.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a profound disappointment, and perhaps the most jarring misstep lies within the brief cameo of Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox. The original Bud Fox was a relatable character, particularly in his powerful scenes with Martin Sheen. However, this cameo feels utterly misplaced and tonally wrong. Instead of Bud Fox, we are presented with a caricature reminiscent of Charlie Sheen’s persona from “Two and a Half Men.” This fleeting appearance inadvertently diminishes the legacy of the first movie, creating a jarring disconnect for fans of the original Wall Street. It’s a bewildering choice that undermines the very foundation of the sequel.
The narrative introduces Jake Moore, played by Shia LaBeouf, as the successor to Bud Fox. However, Moore is a character devoid of the ambition and drive that defined Fox. He receives a 1.5 million dollar bonus without even a blink, a detail meant to highlight the normalization of exorbitant wealth in the banking industry, but it also portrays Moore as strangely detached and unmotivated. His girlfriend, seemingly involved in a website venture, further contributes to the sense that these characters inhabit a world devoid of real struggle. Their comfortable lifestyle removes any sense of urgency or compelling motivation, making Jake’s supposed passion for his “Green Project” feel somewhat contrived. Bud Fox yearned for wealth and power; Jake Moore seems to want very little, making him a less engaging protagonist.
Adding to the film’s woes is the casting of Josh Brolin as the successor to Gordon Gekko. Brolin, an actor known for his intense and often menacing presence, is strangely miscast and underutilized. Instead of projecting a figure of formidable power and influence, Brolin’s character comes across as whiny and unconvincing. The dynamic between LaBeouf’s Jake Moore and Brolin’s character lacks credibility. During their confrontations, it’s difficult to believe Brolin’s character wouldn’t simply overpower the seemingly entitled Jake. The film struggles to establish Brolin as a worthy successor to the iconic Gordon Gekko, a critical flaw considering the original film’s impact.
Ultimately, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is missing the essential edge, a credible script, and believable characters that made its predecessor a classic. It represents a significant missed opportunity, and to be blunt, a failure as a sequel. Instead of enhancing the original Wall Street, it diminishes it. The cutthroat world of finance is depicted in a clichéd and uninspired manner. Josh Brolin’s talents are wasted, and Shia LaBeouf, while trying, is not convincing in a serious adult role. While Oliver Stone once directed Charlie Sheen to a believable performance, that directorial spark seems to have faded, evident in Sheen’s awkward cameo and the film’s overall lack of impact. The sequel unfortunately takes the strengths of the first film and discards them, leaving behind a rehashed and diluted version. Money may never sleep, but unfortunately, the audience might during this disappointing follow-up.
