The Last Temptation Of Becky kills a few more Nazis, to diminished returns

The Becky franchise relies heavily on Lulu Wilson's performance as the title character, not just because she plays the role but because she brings a unique dynamic to the character. Over the past six years, Wilson has made the angry teen versus Nazis concept her own, effortlessly switching between being a heartbroken young woman and a Bugs Bunny-like character tormenting her enemies. Without her, it's hard to imagine a world where we'd be watching three movies in this series.

However, the biggest problem with The Last Temptation of Becky is that it seems to take Wilson for granted. The filmmakers and the audience know that Wilson will always show up, be charismatic, and deliver solid dark comedy. As a result, the third film in the series feels like it coasted on Wilson's charm rather than pushing the boundaries of the story. It also loses the visceral punch of the previous installments.

The story takes place a few years after the events of the previous film, with Becky Hooper (Wilson) now working for the CIA. However, she is struggling to keep up with her mission and is starting to make her superiors nervous. Her handler, Agent Montana (Kate Siegel), reveals that a mysterious key from the original movie has fallen into the hands of Wilhelm Reuss (Neil Patrick Harris), an American expat trying to revive the Third Reich.

To close the loop on her past and prove she can stay with the CIA, Becky must go on a solo mission into Nazi territory.

The film tries to explore the dichotomy between Becky's ultraviolent comedy and rage-filled tragedy, but it struggles to do so consistently. The script by Jenn Wexler and Matt Angel wants to delve into what keeps Becky going and how she feels about the realization that her quest for revenge is only perpetuating the very anger she'd rather escape. While Wilson does provide emotional heft to her role, the movie seems to run down a checklist of moments rather than crafting a cohesive narrative.

The action scenes are straightforward, with Becky's spy gadgets laid out as clues, and the film's budget constraints show in the CGI blood effects. Despite these shortcomings, Lulu Wilson's performance remains the constant in the film, keeping it engaging even during its clumsier moments. Neil Patrick Harris, as a cartoonishly traditional Nazi villain, provides the film's greatest shock, while Kate Siegel and James Urbaniak help buoy the movie further.

In conclusion, The Last Temptation of Becky is a bumpier installment in the series compared to its predecessors, but it remains entertaining thanks to the strong cast. However, the film's biggest issue is that it struggles to find a deeper arc for Becky, despite Wilson's emotional commitment to the role and the script's attempts to give her one.

At this point, we don't really need another film about a young woman slaughtering Nazis because she's angry, and the third installment in the series doesn't manage to provide the overdue depth we might have hoped for.