‘Fifty Shades Darker’ Review: Shadier Sequel Adds Humor to Heat Up the Big Screens

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson are taking one step further into the shadier paths of love in "Fifty Shades Darker." The highly anticipated sequel has added humor to the plot. As expected, it is a shade darker than its hit predecessor.

In "Fifty Shades Darker," director James Foley has decided to whip things up with some humor. IndieWire notes that compared to the gloomy tone of "Fifty Shades of the Grey," the sequel is "sexier, sillier" and a little bit "soapier." It appears that the second film will be more fun.

"Fifty Shades Darker" sees Jamie Dornan's Christian desperate to fix his ruined relationship with Dakota Johnson's Ana. This time, Christian will bend to Ana's standards when it comes to sex. Apparently, there won't be any more contracts or so-called "business meetings."

The first hour of "Fifty Shades Darker" will be moving slowly. At first, Ana will not want to stay in Christian's apartment. However, she will later agree to move in. The same story will keep going on although there will be more foreplay instead of punishment types of sex.

While "Fifty Shades Darker" broke the first film's tendencies to cut down on the fun, the issue about cutting sex scenes as things get sexier remains. Richard Francis-Bruce's edits on the sequel's sex scenes have become a reason for some critics to question the movie's editing.

Meanwhile, PEOPLE notes that there are some issues that will come in between the fun in "Fifty Shades Darker." First, there's Christian's former flame, Bella Heathcote's Leila, who keeps stalking Ana. Second, there's Kim Basinger's Elena, who was Christian's BDSM "mentor."

The outlet adds that "Fifty Shades Darker" unfortunately has "none" of the tone that E.L. James had on the novel series. The sequel appears to be focused more on the chemistry that the lead stars should have.

"Fifty Shades Darker" releases today, Feb. 10, in the U.S. The film is also releasing in the U.K. and other European regions on the same date.