Better the devil you know?

SEQUEL TO COMEDY SET IN THE WORLD OF HIGH FASHION RECYCLES SOME FAMILIAR JOKES

- REVIEWS BY DAMON SMITH

INSULTS and withering glares are back in vogue as Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci dust off their glad rags for a belated sequel to the sharp-suited 2006 comedy based on Lauren Weisberger’s novel.

If I could liken director David Frankel’s picture to catwalk couture, it would be one of those avant-garde creations that wilfully defy practicality. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is fun to look at but not something we truly need.

Times are tough for Runway magazine and its imperious editor-in-chief, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), who is nervously awaiting the announcement of her promotion from company chairman Irv Ravitz (Tibor Feldman). Advertising spend is falling, even for the coveted September edition, restricting budgets for glossy photo shoots masterminded by trusted lieutenant Nigel Kipling (Stanley Tucci).