"To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" was released exclusively on Netflix on February 12th. Though I saw the trailers and of course, fans' posts all over social media, I didn't jump into it right away like I usually do. The main reason is the contentment I felt after watching "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."
To make things simpler, let me share two paragraphs from my review of Netflix's "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."
I was a teenager once (and so were you!). Like any teen, I've seen and enjoyed various teen rom-coms. After watching Netflix's "To All the Boys I've Loved Before", I have to admit that this is the first time I truly believed in a love story.Sure, the story is simple. I'll give you that. But TATBILB is so genuine and pure that you accept everything about it. Not only that, but also Lara Jean is a very relatable character. She wasn't difficult to understand and most importantly, deep inside there is a Lara Jean in all of us.
I honestly didn't have questions at the end of the film like others do. My satisfaction towards the whole film shrouded any form of question and that is why I was surprised with a sequel. Yes, I hear you. And yes, I am very much aware that the novel was followed by two sequels, P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever, Lara Jean.
I just didn't think about it. I guess I was already immune to YA novels adapted into films. You can check the ReelViews section on my blog or check my IMDb and Goodreads to know how many I've read. (That is if I remembered to add all in.)
Going back. I think we all know that sequels are almost always problematic. It is the second part that people's opinions are divided. Their inner critic comes out and voices their opinions out loud. Honestly, no one can blame them because sequels are really different. They have to give a different tone and the same goes with "To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You."
Now, I've read several reviews online as well as people's opinions on my social media feed. A few said it was okay and the rest well, they felt it lacked something.
Netflix's "To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" is simpler and honestly, was overshadowed by the first film. What's lacking for me is the depth of other characters. Yes, this is Lara Jean's journey who is new to everything that's happening in her world. But since they decided to make a sequel, maybe they should have also given Peter, especially John Ambrose some more narrative. As a viewer, I wanted to know them more and maybe confuse me if Lara Jean should pick Peter or John Ambrose.
There is no need to make things dramatically complicated. But the sequel is usually where problems are presented. I guess this brings us back to depth. Now, the third instalment "To All the Boys: Always and Forever, Lara Jean" is happening and is currently in post-production. I just hope they make the last one the best among the film series. IMDB 6/10
If not, well then I definitely have to buy all the books.
Photo Credit:
Title: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
People: Noah Centineo, Lana Condor
Photo by Bettina Strauss/Netflix / Bettina Strauss - © 2019 Netflix