His character really played well off of Butler in the first one. Hole of losing that character was too big to fill. This movie had more layers to it and wasn’t bad - but overall just not as entertaining. Run time was also too long and it dragged at points. Needed someone with gravitas opposite Butler like the first film and that’s missing here. The ending hints at more sequels. Depends how it does obviously.
shareI agree.
One of the big flaws in this movie is the weak supporting cast. Part I had not only Merriman but also 50 Cent, Donnie, Cheddar Bob from 8 Mile. That group was like the crew in Fast & Furious. Even Butler's police team in Part I was good (e.g. the black dude who eats chicken when they interrogate Donnie in the hotel room).
In this one - Butler and Donnie are good, but the rest of the cast is lagging. The rest of the crew consists of cardboard cut-out European tough-guys and the obligatory hot-chick. The mafia guys and the French police officer don't get much to work with. Nobody else besides Butler and O'Shea left an impression