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'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' review

Oliver Stone gets a little greedy in bringing back an '80s icon

By S. James Snyder

Special to Metromix
September 21, 2010

Critic's Rating:

'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' review

Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf (Credit: 20th Century Fox)

(L-R) Shia LaBeouf as Jake Moore and Carey Mulligan as Winnie in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps."

(L-R) Shia LaBeouf as Jake Moore, Josh Brolin as Bretton James and Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps."

Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps."

Shia LaBeouf as Jake Moore in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps."

(L-R) Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko and Shia LaBeouf as Jake Moore in "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps."

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Running time:: 130 minutes

Rated:: PG-13

Cast:

Michael Douglas -

Gordon Gekko

Shia LaBeouf -

Jake Moore

Josh Brolin -

Bretton James

Carey Mulligan -

Winnie Gekko

Eli Wallach -

Julie Steinhardt

See full cast

Director:: Oliver Stone

Genre:: Drama

Official Movie Web Site:: http://www.wallstreetmoneyneversleeps.com/

Overall User Rating:: (0 ratings)

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Director Oliver Stone revisits Gordon “Greed is good” Gekko (Michael Douglas) in the post-collapse economy. The ’80s icon is fresh out of jail, and befriends young, arrogant trader Jacob Moore (Shia LaBeouf), who just so happens to be the man engaged to Gekko’s estranged daughter (Carey Mulligan). Jacob has reason for revenge against fellow trader Bretton James (Josh Brolin), and Gekko agrees to help in exchange for aid in reconnecting with his daughter.

The buzz: Gordon Gekko. The name says it all. He’s one of the most impersonated, referenced and recognizable movie characters of all time—particularly among Wall Street types who know the original film’s dialogue by heart. The big questions surrounding “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” are how LaBeouf will stand up alongside Douglas (who won an Oscar for the original film), and just what Stone has in mind for Gekko in a post-bailout world.

The verdict: The first “Wall Street” was so intimate in its focus, so singular in its obsessions, that it was something of a claustrophobic insider masterpiece. It’s a tough act to follow, and sadly “Money Never Sleeps” seems uncertain about its footing. Where “Wall Street” was precise, “Money” wanders. The original sported cutting dialogue and rapid revelations. The sequel plods along with silly one-liners and obvious observations. The best moments come almost immediately: Gekko dubs a room full of wide-eyed, eager college students, the “NINJA generation—no income, no jobs, no assets.” It’s a brutal summary of these dark financial times. But inconsistencies abound, as the movie seems unable to decide what it thinks of Wall Street post-Bernie Madoff, or the aspirations of any of its characters. A hefty final act revealing Gekko’s true colors sends the story spiraling; it feels tacked on and sloppy. Veering from admiration to mockery, from anti-bailout to pro-business, Stone’s sequel is one confused little nostalgia trip.

Did you know? Look out for the flashy sequence where the film’s camera seems to climb a building all the way to the sky. That’s Bernie Madoff’s former headquarters—ground zero for the biggest ponzi scheme of all time. Stone uses the film to get his digs in against everyone from Goldman Sachs to Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson; but his slap against Madoff is the shrewdest of all.