DVDs in Review

Review: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Title: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)

Release date: 31 January 2011

Certificate: 12

Format: Blu-ray

RRP: £24.99

Rating: 5/5

Reviewed by Hayley Merrick

It’s been 23 years, but Gekko’s back, in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps; a story of greed, corruption and severed family ties.

Michael Douglas returns as one of the most notorious villains ever seen on screen, Gordon Gekko, who’s out of prison and determined to win back his fortune and his daughter.

Set just before the economic crash in 2007, the central story focuses on the lives of Winnie, Gekko’s daughter played by the wonderful Carey Mulligan, and her boyfriend Jacob, a young Wall Street broker (Shia LeBeouf).

It is clear from the films outset that Winnie wants nothing to do with her father, but the similarities between him and boyfriend Jacob grow to be increasingly evident.

After his mentor commits suicide, Jacob vows to get revenge and, with the help of Gekko, he sets his sights on big-time rival broker, Brenton James (Josh Brolin).

Jacob and Gekko end up forging a partnership, trading back and forth bits of information about Brenton’s dodgy dealings and details about Winnie.

However Jacob’s inexperience and naivety lead him into trouble, and he learns the hard way that Gordon Gekko will do anything to get back on top.

A fascinating insight into the world of Wall Street trading, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a must-see for everyone, not just those who have a particular interest in the Wall Street series.

While in theory Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is a sequel, it is also a stand-alone film and those who haven’t seen the original are brought right up to speed from the beginning.

It’s not all finance and corruption either. The underlying love story between Mulligan and LeBeouf is compelling, as they struggle to come to terms with the economic crash and the reappearance of Winnie’s father.

Has Gekko’s time inside changed him, or is he still the same ruthless character? There’s only one way to find out.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is out on DVD now.