Going into this movie, I really didn't know what the plot was. In fact, I'm a terrible reviewer because I can't remember many of the character's names in this movie. I guess Shia Labitch's character's name is Jacob, and his girlfriend's name is Winnie Gekko. Michael Douglas's character's name is Gordon Gekko and Josh Brolin (who I am glad is still working after all these years since being Brand on The Goonies) is named Breton. Maybe that's all I needed to know.
So I thought the plot was that Shia's character finds Gordon and wants him to show him the ways of making money and getting to the top, like a mentor. I was sorta right, however, and the film started out that way. Shia has this boss who the movie establishes very early on that he's a father figure and gives him this huge sum of cash and tells him to spend in on the economy. Shia gives him a kiss on the head and right there, I should have thought, "Frank Langella is going to die." By the way, Frank offered a wonderful performance in this movie.
In the scene where he is gathered around the round table while his peers tears him down for being bankrupt was the film's turning point. Our villain, played by Josh Brolin, offers to buy his shares for two dollars a piece. Frank responds with that he would never sell to the likes of him. So just as they are leaving, Frank counter offers with six. Josh raises the stakes to three. After some negotiating, Frank ends with four, and says something like, "I don't want to look anymore pathetic that it already is." And as the true villain, Josh sticks with, "Three. And not a penny more." I was half expecting him to spit in his face when he left, as it would be just as kosher.
So then Frank commits suicide and Shia wants revenge against Brand from The Goonies. Meanwhile, he seeks advice from Gordon Gekko in exchange for reuniting him with his daughter who Shia just happens to be dating. The true scene stealer in this movie is Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko. He has the best lines, by far, like, "You stop telling lies about me, and I'll stop telling the truth about you." However, I felt his character was underused, and the focus is more on Shia's character rather than Gordon's. Which is a shame, because honestly the movie is a lot more enjoyable with Gordon than with Shia.
After the movie was over, it felt underwhelming. It was a good film, with several scene encounters between characters that make you wonder what exactly is going to be exchanged between the two and the twists in the story keeps it interesting. However, the ending just didn't feel right to me. I don't want to say much but it just seemed like the overall product was initially longer than what it was supposed to be and that the ending was probably more chosen by the studio than Oliver Stone himself. I could be wrong but it felt that way.
Does it make me want to see the first Wall Street? Absolutely. With more Gordon Gekko and less with Shia is always a plus to me.