The Burma Conspiracy - Largo Winch 2

Starring: Tomer Sisely, Sharon Stone, Olivier Barthelemy, Nicolas Vaude

Synopsis:

Following on from the previous film, Largo Winch decides to liquidate his huge corporation and turn the resulting funds into a world aid trust. No sooner does he sign the contract however, he finds himself being persecuted for War Crimes committed in Burma three years previously. Suddenly, a part of Largo’s past comes back to haunt him and he is surrounded by powerful enemies...

The Burma Conspiracy follows hot on the heels of the original instalment, and proves just as satisfying and entertaining. It is a cosmopolitan mix of exotic locations and complex intrigue, and like it’s predecessor it refuses to do much in the way of hand-holding. Keep up with the plot, or don’t.

There is a lot going on, starting with an intense car-chase as Largo, Dwight and a female reporter high-tail it out of the clutches of a Eastern-bloc warlord. It’s an excellent sequence which rivals that of the opening of Quantum of Solace, with some amazing car stunts.

The Burma Conspiracy does take some risks which are likely to upset fans of the comic books and novels. The biggest of these is the death of a key character from the series, who is killed off-screen. I appreciate that that character’s death serves to isolate Largo further and heighten the danger he’s in, but still... The film also makes the same mistake of the previous film of marginalising the background characters. Having said that, the character of Gautier (Largo’s butler) is given a much meatier role when he is sent on an errand to track down a key witness to Largo’s defence. His effete nature and fish-out-of-water situation gives the film a much needed sense of humour.

Tomer Sisely returns to the role of Largo Winch, and is a solid action hero. Quick witted and intelligent, he is really put through the wringer in this movie, both physically and emotionally. His main problem is that he is sometimes all too willing to walk away from his problems. His wanting to turn Winch Corp into a world-aid trust is a perfect example, and in doing so he almost causes a bigger problem.

Sharon Stone adds some glamour to proceedings, trading a little on her role of Catherine Tremmel from the Basic Instinct movies. Her character, Diane Franken is a chief prosecutor who enjoys paid-for sex to unwind. Diane is committed to her cause, and totally believes in Largo’s guilt.

Verdict:

Although this film doesn’t have the same level of pathos that the previous one did, The Burma Conspiracy is an excellent globe trotting adventure. The fast pace and complex plot mean that you are constantly trying to keep up without having to spend too much time considering if it actually makes sense (I’m a bit suspicious as to how quickly the plot was put into motion, but nevermind).

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