In the original The Devil Wears Prada, released 20 years ago, the prickly Miranda Priestly (Streep) was editor-in-chief at Runway magazine which made her one of the most revered and influential people in the fashion industry.  Many believe the fictional character is based off the real-life Anna Wintour but in recent television interviews, Meryl Streep explains that she drew from the commanding personalities of film directors Mike Nichols (Silkwood) and Clint Eastwood (The Bridges of Madison County).

I like the environment within this much anticipated sequel.  An aging Miranda still has the same role at Runway but the industry… and the world has changed.  Magazine sales are down and so too are the company’s lavish budgets.  Instead of buying Runway at a newsstand and reading through it on the bus/train ride home, younger folk want quick, instantaneous content while doom scrolling on their phone.  The publication’s key performance indicators now skew towards clicks and likes.  Furthering Miranda’s disenchantment are tightened HR practices which limit her ability to make snide, derogatory comments in the office.  I’m reminded of the famous mantra – she must “evolve or die”.

When it comes to the specifics of the narrative, it’s a little contrived.  Andy (Hathaway) is now a renowned journalist but after getting the sack, conveniently at the same time she receives a prestigious award, she returns to Runway in the role of Features Editor.  This reunites her with Miranda and her loyal aide, Nigel (Tucci), and her first task is to deal with the public relations fallout from a previous article (it inadvertently promoted a sweat-shop operation).  If you’re wondering where Emily (Blunt) is now, she’s a high-up executive at Dior who has influence over the magazine given the advertising dollars they provide each year.

It’s nice to be reunited with the cast but The Devil Wears Prada 2 comes across more as serviceable fan fiction as opposed to a fun, tightly written adventure.  It’s as if returning screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna knows how beloved the headline characters have become and she’s too afraid to “go hard” on them.  Every time we see a hint at a darker side (e.g. Miranda being mean), the film wusses out and everyone is best friends again a few minutes later.  Without giving plot points away, I also had credibility issues with the shenanigans in the final act – from the revealed intentions of certain people through to the simplicity with which issues are resolved, such as the magazine’s potential sale.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is likely to be enjoyed by existing devotees, and I’ll say one more thing – it has one of the most unexpected cameos I’ve seen for a while!  I’m not talking about the acclaimed singer but rather, the blink-and-you-miss-it appearance from golfer Rory McIlroy.