SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO is Getting Great Buzz and is Said to Be an Amazing Sequel

Sicario: Day of the Soldado is one of my most anticipated films of the year. I loved director Denis Villeneuve‘s first movie and everything that I've seen from this sequel has looked incredible. Well, it sounds like the movie actually turned out as amazing as it looks! At least that's what the first wave of reactions have been. 

The sequel was directed by Stefano Sollima, and a lot of fans wondered if a director other than Villeneuve would be able to pull it off, and it looks like he did. The buzz you'll read below is overwhelmingly positive. Of course, he wouldn't have been able to do it without the script written by returning screenwriter Taylor Sheridan.

Not only is the movie praised, but so are the performances by Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro. Before we get to what the critics are saying, here's what Denis Villeneuve said about the film in an interview with IndieWire:

"[The sequel is] a knockout. Sollima did a masterful follow up to ‘Sicario.’ I was blown away! Having seen his film, I’m proud to say that Stefano did an impressive, powerful, masterful follow-up,” Villeneuve told IndieWire. “It’s a hell of a good movie!"

Now, here's what the critics are saying:

SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO is, surprisingly, pretty awesome. Tense, gritty, and ends on a note where I want more. Benicio del Toro is amazing.

— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) June 15, 2018

Taylor Sheridan’s sequel Sicario: Day of the Soldado deepens the characters played by Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro in unexpected ways. Director Stefano Sollimo delivers. June 29.

— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) June 15, 2018

Saw Sicario: Day of the Soldado last night. It's FANTASTIC. It's doesn't have the visual splendor of Villeneuve's first film, but Taylor Sheridan's screenplay is SUPERB. Film has unexpected heartbreaking moments and strong performances from Del Toro and Brolin. pic.twitter.com/SH5gGOQnvv

— Gregory Ellwood 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) June 15, 2018

Moreover, Soldado is VERY timely. There is little black and white on the border between Mexico and the US. It's a grey zone and Sheridan's script isn't afraid to go there. It's a dramatic thriller with something to say. Go see it, because I can't wait to see a third chapter.

— Gregory Ellwood 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) June 15, 2018

Moreover, SOLDADO should have been at CANNES either in or out of competition. I heard the festival wanted it, but the decision was made note to go even though Del Toro was Un Certain Regard jury prez. Would have been a strong critical kick off for them and much needed buzz.

— Gregory Ellwood 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) June 15, 2018

It's gooooood. Or at the very least, straight up my alley. Sollima gave me the sequel I thought I didn't want. Wonderful storytelling economy. Wicked sense of tension throughout. Wolski goes to TOWN. Brolin/Del Toro step it up. Sheridan is a beast on the page, man. Love. It.

— Kristopher Tapley (@kristapley) June 15, 2018

Isabela Moner is stellar as well. And the film is dedicated to Jóhann Jóhannsson, of course, whose work is well-respected by Hildur Guðnadóttir (a cellist on the first). "The Beast" gets such a badass reprise, though. Anyway, I'll see it again ASAP.

— Kristopher Tapley (@kristapley) June 15, 2018

Happy to report 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' is *extremely* well made and features fantastic performances from Josh Brolin and Benecio del Toro. As you might expect, Taylor Sheridan's screenplay is excellent. Really hope the film does well so they can complete the trilogy. pic.twitter.com/hLkly137jA

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) June 15, 2018

SICARIO - DAY OF THE SOLDADO: terrific up until the last act, when a few characters make some, well, out of character decisions. Even then, it’s an incredibly cold, precise, unfeeling depiction of the process of covert wars. This isn’t the trash action sequel they’re selling.

— Jacob Knight (@JacobQKnight) June 15, 2018

Dark doesn’t begin to describe SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO. It’s fucked up and I kinda loved it. Maybe not quite as much as the first film, but Brolin & Benicio are FIRE & Taylor Sheridan proves again why he’s one of the best writers in town. Not a perfect sequel but VERY badass

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) June 15, 2018

Sicario 2 or Soldado or whatever we’re calling it is really amazing. Tense, thrilling, and surprising with solidly orchestrated set pieces and real emotion. It’s like “Clear and Present Danger” for a new generation (I mean that in a good way). And bring on part 3 (please). pic.twitter.com/wfMMlSfmEd

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) June 15, 2018

Stefano Sollima directs Sicario: Day of the Soldado, which stars Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Moner, Catherine Keener, and Jeffrey Donovan.

FBI agent Matt Graver calls on mysterious operative Alejandro Gillick when Mexican drug cartels start to smuggle terrorists across the U.S. border. The war escalates even further when Alejandro kidnaps a top kingpin’s daughter to deliberately increase the tensions. When the young girl is seen as collateral damage, the two men will determine her fate as they question everything that they are fighting for.

Sicario: Day of the Soldado opens in theaters on June 29, 2018.