Wall Street 2:Gekko is back.

The Lizard of Wall Street is back, ladies and gentlemen. Though it took 23 years for his second coming, he has more or less managed it. And as with most of us who ruminate over our actions in the cold and impassive confines of the penitentiary, Mr.Gordon Gekko is a changed(!) man. And this time he is ‘playing’ to keep his family (or whatever is left of it) together, with a little help from his future-son-in-law. And of course there is a murder, shadier and murkier deals and the impending Wall Street meltdown that Mr.Gekko hopes to avert, amidst his other pressing necessities. Michael Douglas reprises the role of Mr.Gordon Gekko, the smoothest , coolest dollar – magnet ever created by Hollywood for the Wall Street in a sequel, after  23 years, and its named Wall Street : Money Never Sleeps (ouch), and is directed by Oliver Stone. It would be the first time Oliver Stone be reprising a character from his movies again, or for that matter even making a sequel to his earlier production ever.

For one of the most prolific, criticized, controversial and seasoned director from Hollywood, the box-office seems to have given him the cold shoulder since Any Given Sunday, and that was way back in 1999! The ones that came after that -  Comandante (2003),Looking for Fidel (2004),Alexander (2004),World Trade Center (2006),W. (2008),South of the Border (2009) though managed to bring as usual their share of the controversies and critical analysis, however stopped just short of driving in the crowds to the marquee to watch them. So, this might just work. After all, Wall Street was the quintessential Hollywood icon of the excesses of the 80’s, which garnered critical praise and commercial success in equal measure.
All in all, it makes perfect sense to make a sequel of that tried, tested and tasted success topic, especially in the current atmosphere of financial uncertainty and the smog that still envelops Wall Street.
The sequel is about Gordon Gekko, returning to his old haunt after doing time, and tries desperately to mend fences and heal old wounds of what is left of his family, his daughter Winnie Gekko, played by Carrie Mulligan ( An Education). Enter young Jacob Moore, the ambitious, young Wall Street trader, who is engaged to Winnie and is terribly disturbed by the disappearance and death of his mentor in the business. Gekko extends his expertise and assistance in unearthing the details and ploughing through the muck to reach the truth, and he hopes Jacob will help him get closer to Winnie and slowly get her back in his life. And all these happen in the background of the 2008 stock market crash.
Going by the storyline, it seems a little disappointing when compared to the original Wall Street which had greed riding shotgun with Gekko, while family and love were bound, duct-taped, gagged and thrown in a dark corner of the speeding Merc.The sequel seems to lean more towards retribution and acceptance rather than the aggression and cocky high-roller ride of its predecessor.
Shia Belouf, known for his adrenaline-junkie roles ( Transformers, Eagle Eye) has drawn major criticism from die-hard fans for not being able to portray the emotional requirements of the character such as Jacob Moore.
It is worth remembering the acceptance speech of Michael Douglas as he accepted the Academy Award for the Best Actor in a leading role for portraying Gordon Gekko, as he thanked Oliver Stone for “casting me in a part that almost nobody thought I could play.” Maybe its history repeating itself.

Regardless, Wall Street : Money Never Sleeps will be worth the wait, because you can never get enough of Gordon Gekko. After all, greed is good.

Scripted by Allan Loeb ( 21, Things We Lost in the Fire), Wall Street : Money Never Sleeps releases on April 23, 2010 worldwide and is  distributed by 20th Century Fox.

Watch the Second Coming of Gordon Gekko here.