Anatomy 2 (2003)

Repetitive and Boring

The Anti-Hippocrates society, first introduced in "Anatomie", is at it again, this time at a hospital in Berlin. Joachim (Barnaby Metschurat), a well-meaning, young doctor becomes involved in the illegal experiments of the society, when he is given the opportunity to join an elite research group that is attempting to develop synthetic muscles, which could potentially save the life of Joachim's brother, who is dying of a degenerative muscle disease.

"Anatomie 2" started off better than the original "Anatomie", with an excellent first half hour that sets things up nicely, but it degenerated shortly after that. Most of the final hour of the film is made up of an endless string of operations conducted by and on the members of Joachim's research group, which is both repetitive and boring (and confusing - maybe it's just me, but I'm sure some of the scenes were contradictory).

Franka Potente, star of "Anatomie", appears briefly in this film (her character has given up on medicine and is now a cop who is trying to shut down the Anti-Hippocrates society), but her total screen time couldn't be more than about 10 minutes.
July 25, 2008

Exceeded my expections; It;s better than the first

A couple of days ago I ordered Anatomy 2 off amazon.com. I had seen the movie in stores, but they wanted too much money for it. So I went to the trusty amazon.com, and ordered it. I got it 2day on the mail, and I popped in the movie. Within mintues, I was hooked into the movie. This movie has so much twists and turns in the movie, you would think that u would be on a roller coaster. It's so wonderfully done. I loved this movie, and I would recommended this to anyone who likes horror/action flicks. And I think that doctors will love this type of movie. The only backback is is that u cant watch the movie in english, since the movie was made in Germany. But if u can get past that barrier and don't mind subtitles, then your in for a treat. January 10, 2006

promising start but too many cliches

**1/2

From Dr. Frankenstein to Dr. Mengele, Germany has developed quite a reputation for...hmm.. how shall we put it?..."unconventional" men of science.

It's appropriate, then, that the German film "Anatomy 2" should be a brave-new-world sci-fi thriller that deals with the issues of biomedical ethics and just how far science should be allowed to go in trying to "improve" on Mother Nature.

Professor Muller-LaRousse is a world famous neurosurgeon who has been covertly conducting questionable experiments, implanting synthetic muscles into perfectly healthy young men and women (who also happen to be his devoted interns). Even though a disturbing number of these "guinea pigs" have died as a result of the procedures, LaRousse forges on, undeterred and undaunted, convinced - as any mad scientist worth his salt would be - that scientific advancement cannot be allowed to run aground on the shoals of a few trivial dead bodies. His plan is to create some sort of "master race" of invincible semi-humans. Jo Hauser is a promising young doctor who has come to Berlin to work and study under LaRousse, confident that he will be able to make a real difference not only in the lives of others but particularly in the life of his younger brother who has fallen victim to a degenerative neurological disorder. Filled with idealism, Jo allows himself to be pulled into LaRousse's group of sycophantic acolytes, perhaps to his everlasting regret.

The film is obviously intended as a modern day allegory of Nazism - what with its emphasis on group-think, unethical medical experimentation and talk about creating a "master race" - but the movie feels just too much like other - and better - dystopian sci-fi fantasies to be very effective. The intriguing medical ethics issues are eventually shunted aside for a series of protracted action scenes overflowing with typical mad scientist malarkey and man-on-the-run cliches.

That's a shame because the movie starts off with a better-than-average premise that promises a thoughtful re-examination of an age-old theme. However, "Anatomy 2" just winds up being silly where it most desperately needs to be serious. August 18, 2005

Deserves dissection

What's a wretched, unoriginal horror movie without an equally uninspired sequel? "Anatomy 2" fits the bill nicely, a vaguely grisly hodgepodge that is about as much fun as leg surgery without anesthetic. It's the same tangle of lame, derivative thriller elements, only this time it cannibalizes the first film directly.

Young medical student Jo Hauser (Barnaby Metschurat) arrives a Berlin hospital, leaving his paraplegic brother in their hometown. Professor Muller-LaRousse (Herbert Knaup) is the revered neurosurgeon who holds the reins. But he's a member of the Anti-Hippocratic Society (AAA -- an auto service?), which eschews the "do no harm" rule in favor of medical advancement. The advancement this time? Artificial muscles, which can augment any muscle in the body, and may end paralysis.

Hauser is seduced (both literally and figuratively) into joining the society, and has artificial muscles implanted in his legs. The problem is, the muscles can be controlled via computer, and the drugs involved are addictive. Then Hauser learns that he is the unwilling guinea pig for the next phase of the robotic-muscle development, where human muscles are REPLACED by robot ones.

Ever since "Run Lola Run" came out, there's been a feel that in German cinema that synth music and a sense of style are all it takes to make a hit. Unfortunately, "Anatomy" isn't style over substance -- it's all style, no substance. Writer-director Stefan Ruzowitzky has clearly lost any inspiration he may have once had -- and he never had much, since his previous "Anatomy" film was basically just a slasher fic where the slashing is done with scalpels rather than axes. "Anatomy 2" is just a rehash of a rehash.

The direction is even more bizarre this time around, including some rather kinked-up sex scenes and a clinic that looks like a medical theme park. Ruzowitzky tries hard to convince us to take his "artificial muscle" storyline seriously, but it's impossible. It's comic book science. And it isn't even GOOD comic book science -- one intern puts an artificial muscle in his penis for a little... well, you get the idea.

The characters are walking cardboard figures. Metschurat plays such a naive idiot that it's impossible to feel much real liking for him. The other characters are stereotypes -- sexy evil nurse who seduces the naive hero, evil doctor, and so on. The only semi-likable person in the whole mess is Rosie Alvarez's character, who is in love with Metschurat, but she isn't given nearly enough time onscreen.

"Anatomy 2" is one of those soulless hulks that cries out to be revived as a Mystery Science Theatre 3000 flick. Call me picky, but I don't like goofy, lifeless horror sequels. September 22, 2004

a different perspective

I haven't seen the original Anatomy so I had no expectations for this movie. That being said, I really enjoyed it. It is mostly action with very little gore. The opening sequence is great but the film is best viewed as commentary on the horrible pressure doctors and interns face each day. It's an extreme example of the consequences of obsession and ambition. The message of the movie is that even the best intentions from the most caring profession can end in mayhem when taken too far.

If that doesn't convince you--- HOT GERMAN ACTORS GETTING IT ON!!! August 18, 2004

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