'The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day' -- GRADE: D

Review: 'Boondock' sequel is not so saintly

Roger Ebert / Chicago Sun-Times

"The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day" is an idiotic ode to macho manure. It is, however, distinguished by superb cinematography.

It's the first film in 10 years from Troy Duffy, whose original "The Boondock Saints" (1999) has become a cult fetish. It's such a legendary cult film, a documentary was even released about it.

"The Boondock Saints" became a big hit on DVD -- so big, this sequel was justified. It's a well-photographed picture with good actors (Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly, Clifton Collins Jr., Julie Benz, Judd Nelson and an unrecognizable Peter Fonda).

Flanery and Reedus are back from the original, as Connor and Murphy MacManus, two Irish Catholic brothers who executed countless Boston villains with bullets through the head and pennies on their eyes. They now lead a quiet life in Ireland, herding sheep and smoking. Brokeback bachelors. After 10 years, still unmarried, they live at home with old Poppy MacManus (Billy Connolly).

Word comes that a beloved Irish-American priest has been executed back in Boston, with pennies on his eyes. This calls for revenge: Someone is imitating their style! Electrified, the lads rush back to the States on a freight ship and go into action killing, oh, I'd say, hundreds of people, easily. This is done very well, in the way of stunts and heavy metal cranked up to 12.