MOVIES&BOOKS: IN THEATERS: WALL STREET 2: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS

Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps

Synopsis: Emerging from a lengthy prison stint, the financial icon Gordon Gekko finds himself on the outside of a world he once dominated. He now has to play catch-up and redefine himself in a different era. Gekko has to become relevant again. But a young, idealistic investment banker, Jacob Moore, learns the hard way that Gekko is still a master manipulator – and if there’s one place where you can redefine yourself, one place where your relevance is a deal away, it’s Wall Street.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a 2010 American drama film directed by Oliver Stone. It is a sequel to the 1987 film Wall Street, and the first sequel Stone has done to any of his films. Michael Douglas reprises his Academy Award-winning role of Gordon Gekko and Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan, and Frank Langella also star in the film. Charlie Sheen reprises his role as Bud Fox in a brief cameo appearance.

Critical Reaction

The movie has received mixed reviews, with review tallying website Rotten Tomatoes reporting that the film holds an overall approval rating of 57%, based on a sample of 163 reviews. The site describes the critics' general consensus by saying "It's more entertaining than many sequels, but with Oliver Stone directing, a terrific cast, and a timely storyline that picks up where the original left off, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps should be better." For comparison, the first film received 79% positive reviews. Joe Neumaier of the New York Daily News publication awarded the film five out of five stars saying that Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a sharp sequel that is worthy of its investment. He also saluted the cast's performance and noted that Douglas gives Gekko "uncounted layers as he fakes, deals and fuels fire".

Seven years later, Jacob "Jake" Moore (Shia LaBeouf) is awakened in his apartment by his girlfriend, Winnie (Carey Mulligan). Jake turns on the television, and there is an interview with Gekko on television. Gekko has become an author and a lecturer promoting his new book, "Is Greed Good?" Winnie gets upset and throws the remote at the TV after Jake does not turn it off. Winnie is Gekko’s estranged daughter and wants nothing to do with him. Jake drives Winnie to the airport on his motorbike, and she goes off to gather investors for her online political magazine.