The rare Hollywood treat: a legacy sequel that does right by its classic predecessor.

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” is the sequel to the 2006 film, and follows journalist Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) as she becomes the new features editor at “Runway,” and must help the cold Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) bring the magazine back to relevance.Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci also reprise their roles, with Justin Theroux and Kenneth Branagh joining the cast; original director David Frankel also returns.

I was late to the “Devil Wears Prada” party (I didn’t even see it until post-COVID), but I really like the film. It was at the peak of Anne Hathaway’s rise to stardom, and arguably marks the best performances of Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt’s careers (which is saying something). Because Millenials love it so much, a nostalgica cash grab sequel was almost inevitable, and while it may not totally justify its existence there is enough catty charm and pretty outfits to be worth the stroll down memory lane.

Anne Hathaway has always been one of my favorite actors so it is nice to see her return to one of her most iconic roles. Hathaway is able to come off as an everyday girl despite her looks and fame, and shares warm chemistry with Tucci and reserved admiration of Streep. While she is no longer a fish out of water, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the first film, Hathway is still largely able to act as the eyes of the audience in the ever-changing fashion world. Tucci and Blunt, both of whom I truly believe deserved Oscar nominations for their work, slip nicely back into their roles and have nice character moments, too (especially Tucci).

In a career of over 20 Oscar nominations and three wins, I truly believe that Meryl Streep’s performance in the first “Prada” is her finest hour. In this sequel she retains her barbed retorts and muted demeanour, even if the changes in culture remove just a tiny bit of her bite. The film pokes fun at the fact that she can no longer do things like body-shame her employees, but that doesn’t totally make up for missing out on some of classic insults like she gave on the first go-around (though unlike the “Mean Girls” remake the film doesn’t feel sanitized, merely a bit diluted). It’s Streep’s first live-action theatrical role since 2019’s “Little Women,” and it’s nice to see her on the big screen in what is arguably the role she will always be most associated with.

The film is able to find justifiable (enough) reasons to revisit these characters, and offers some nice insight into the changing world of media (“Runway” is no longer a magazine but “content people scroll past while they pee” as Tucci says). It touches on how empty suits in billion dollar corporations will consolidate and suck the soul from institutions, even if the message is a little ironic coming from a $100 million cash grab from a Disney-owned company. The cinematography is also a bit flat, which is a shame considering how lively the first film is, especially by romcom standards (though I appreciate how it was actually shot in New York City, and not Canada or Atlanta cosplaying as the Big Apple). They also give Hathaway a love interest that feels totally tacked-on and has no bearing on the plot, but it’s not a total detriment.

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” is better than most legacy sequels, and like last year’s “Freakier Friday” I appreciate that it feels made for the original, now-grown audience instead of changing the formula to be made for the modern age. I have some technical qualms (the muted cinematography, as well as some awardly quick editing early-on and light pacing issues), but they don’t detract much from the experience. With follow-ups to iconic films there is always the risk that it will taint the legacy of the original, but thankfully “Prada 2” fits like an evening glove. 

Critics Rating: 7/10