Hubbry Logo
Motives 2Motives 2Main
Open search
Motives 2
Community hub
Motives 2
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Motives 2
Motives 2
Motives 2
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Motives 2: Retribution
Directed byAaron Courseault
Written byKelsey Scott
Produced byDianne Ashford
Angelique Bones
Rob Hardy
Will Packer
Lita Richardson
StarringBrian J. White
Vivica A. Fox
Sean Blakemore
Sharon Leal
Drew Sidora
Joe Torry
Music bySteven Gutheinz
Production
companies
Symmetry Entertainment
Rainforest Films
Foxy Brown Productions
L. Richardson Entertainment
Distributed bySony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release date
  • May 1, 2007 (2007-05-01)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Motives 2: Retribution is a 2007 direct-to-video sequel to the 2004 thriller film Motives starring Brian J. White, Vivica A. Fox and Sean Blakemore.[1]

Plot summary

[edit]

The sequel to Motives picks up three years after the original. Emery Simms is a rarity—an innocent man in prison. On the outside, his ex-wife Connie is married to his best friend-turned-rival Brandon, and they're attempting to make a normal life. After Simms is killed during a brawl in prison, his brother Donovan returns to discover the real reason for his brother's death. The web of lies and murder may prove just as poisonous to Donovan as it was to his late brother.

Cast

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Motives 2

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Motives 2: Retribution is a 2007 American direct-to-video thriller film directed by Aaron Courseault and written by Kelsey Scott, serving as a sequel to the 2004 film Motives. Produced by Rainforest Films under producer Will Packer, the movie explores themes of betrayal, murder, and hidden secrets in a plot set three years after the original story. With a runtime of 94 minutes, it was released straight to DVD and features a predominantly African American cast in an urban drama-thriller narrative. The film picks up after Emery Simms, wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he did not commit in the first movie, is killed while in prison. Emery's brother, (played by ), launches his own investigation into the death, which uncovers potential involvement from Emery's former best friend Brandon Collier (Sean Blakemore) and ex-wife (). Brandon and Connie, now married to each other, have built a thriving and business in , but new evidence threatens to expose dark truths about their past actions. reprises his role as Emery Simms, appearing in flashbacks or key scenes related to the investigation. Notable for its erotic thriller elements, including scenes of sexuality and intense interpersonal drama, Motives 2: Retribution received mixed reception, earning a 5.0 out of 10 rating on IMDb based on 558 user votes. The film was shot in Atlanta, Georgia, emphasizing local urban settings that contribute to its atmosphere of deception and retribution. It continues the original's focus on complex relationships and moral ambiguity among affluent Black professionals.

Background

Connection to Motives

Motives 2 serves as a direct sequel to the 2004 erotic thriller Motives, continuing the story of its central characters amid the fallout from the original film's events. In the first film, successful businessman Emery Simms (played by Shemar Moore) becomes entangled in a deadly love triangle after an adulterous affair with Allannah James, leading to her murder after Emery accidentally kills a man named Kenneth Stroud who was seeking information about the affair. Despite his innocence in Allannah's murder, Emery is wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for the crimes, leaving his wife Connie (Vivica A. Fox) and best friend Brandon (Sean Blakemore) to grapple with the consequences of the betrayal and deception that unraveled their close-knit circle. The sequel picks up three years after Emery's incarceration, exploring the lingering impacts on the surviving characters as they attempt to rebuild their lives. Returning cast members, including as and Moore as Emery, drive the narrative forward, with the plot delving into new layers of suspicion and retribution tied to the unresolved tensions from the original murder mystery. This temporal jump emphasizes the enduring psychological and relational scars from the first film's events, such as fractured loyalties and hidden motives within their urban African American community. Both films share core thematic elements, including betrayal in intimate relationships, explorations of sexuality, and the complexities of trust among friends and lovers in high-stakes environments. These connections not only provide prerequisite context for Motives 2's storyline but also reinforce the sequel's focus on the ripple effects of the original's wrongful conviction and .

Development

Rainforest Films, the production company behind the 2004 original Motives, greenlit the direct-to-video sequel Motives 2: Retribution in 2006 to build on the first film's cult popularity within the urban genre. The project was executive produced by and , who sought to extend the story's exploration of deception and relationships three years after the events of the original. Filming took place in and around that fall, targeting the lucrative market rather than a theatrical release. Director Aaron Courseault was selected for the project, marking a significant step in his transition from music videos to feature films; he had previously directed over 25 music videos for artists in R&B, hip-hop, and genres, including works for , Birdman, and . Courseault emphasized preserving the thriller's tense atmosphere while incorporating his visual style honed in short-form content. His earlier narrative work included co-writing the screenplay for the 2001 independent MacArthur Park, which premiered at the . Screenwriter Kelsey Scott, who also penned the original Motives, was brought on for the sequel as a work-for-hire assignment. The producers provided a basic story outline focusing on retribution and concealed motives, which Scott developed into a full script that delved deeper into themes of betrayal and family secrets. Some cast members from the first film, such as and , returned to maintain narrative continuity. The production operated on a modest budget suited to the direct-to-DVD model, prioritizing efficient storytelling and Atlanta-based shooting to control costs while delivering a polished thriller.

Plot

Synopsis

Three years after Emery Simms' wrongful imprisonment for a he did not commit, his ex-wife and best friend Brandon—now married to each other—are attempting to build a normal life together. Their situation is upended when Emery is suddenly ed behind bars, shattering any remaining connections and igniting a deeper probe into the events surrounding his original conviction. This central tragedy propels Emery's brother, , into the fray as he launches a relentless investigation to uncover the truth, exposing a tangled network of lies and deceit among Simms' former associates and loved ones. As new evidence surfaces, betrayals fracture longstanding relationships, drawing in figures like a tenacious investigator and personal adversaries in the pursuit of the real perpetrator. The narrative escalates through a series of twists that heighten the stakes, culminating in a tense arc of retribution where hidden motives rooted in , , and power dynamics come to light, forcing characters to confront the consequences of their deceptions.

Themes

The film Motives 2: Retribution centers on the central theme of retribution, driven by wrongful and resulting in cycles of , as seen in the investigations triggered by the protagonist's in . Building on the original film's love triangle, the sequel delves into hidden motives through deception in personal relationships, encompassing infidelity, jealousy, and betrayal among affluent characters. Social elements highlight African American experiences, including biases within the justice system—such as the suppression of exonerating evidence—and trust issues in friendships, alongside explorations of sexuality in urban environments.

Cast and characters

Lead actors

stars as Donovan Cook, the determined brother of the deceased Emery Simms, whose relentless investigation into his sibling's murder propels the narrative forward. reprises her role as Connie Simms, Emery's ex-wife who has since remarried and becomes entangled in the unfolding mystery. Sean Blakemore portrays Brandon Collier, Emery's former best friend and now Connie's husband, whose involvement in the events escalates the interpersonal conflicts and suspicions central to the plot. returns as Emery Simms, the wrongfully convicted man from the first film whose death early in the story influences the entire investigation. Moore appears in flashbacks.

Supporting roles

In Motives 2, supporting roles are filled by an ensemble of actors who provide essential procedural depth, subplot revelations, and interpersonal dynamics to the central thriller narrative. portrays Ray Wallace, Emery Simms's dedicated lawyer, who collaborates with protagonist to reexamine evidence from the original wrongful conviction and probe the prison murder, thereby introducing legal intricacies and moral ambiguity to the . Similarly, appears as Morgan, a corrupt detective involved in the case, while Tim Blanchard plays an police officer, offering investigative elements that heighten the procedural tension without dominating the leads' emotional arcs. Other ensemble members contribute to subplots involving rivals, inmates, and peripheral relationships. Sharon Leal plays Nina Welch, Brandon's colleague and mistress, who is central to the affair subplot. Drew Sidora plays René, Donovan's partner. In prison scenes, Bone Crusher plays an intimidating inmate, amplifying the dangers of Emery's incarceration and the stakes of the retribution plot through brief but visceral confrontations. Joe Torry portrays Derrick Thompson, a friend who aids Donovan in the investigation. Daya Vaidya appears as Saundra, involved in romantic subplots. These secondary characters enrich the conspiracy's complexity—via legal hurdles, street-level intel, and interpersonal conflicts—while deferring resolution to the protagonists, ensuring the narrative's focus remains on familial loyalty and systemic deceit.

Production

Pre-production

Following the conceptual development by , for Motives 2: Retribution emphasized logistical setup for its release, including key personnel and site preparations in . Returning cast members from the 2004 original were prioritized to ensure narrative continuity, with secured to reprise Connie Simms and as Brandon Collier; was cast in the new lead role as . Auditions for supporting ensemble roles were conducted through open casting calls in during 2006, overseen by assistants who managed sessions to evaluate actors' adaptability under pressure. Location scouting targeted urban environments to mirror the original film's Southern vibe, with sites like Castleberry Hill selected for scenes involving prisons, apartments, and nightclubs to heighten the story's themes of and retribution. Crew assembly brought together a compact team suited to the low-budget thriller format, including first-time director Aaron Courseault, executive producers and , producers Dianne Ashford and Angelique Bones, and cinematographer Ken Stipe to craft a sleek aesthetic focused on suspenseful close-quarters tension.

Filming and post-production

Principal photography for Motives 2 took place primarily in Atlanta, Georgia, beginning in late 2006 and utilizing local studios and exteriors to capture the film's urban and prison settings. Specific locations included Castleberry Hill in Atlanta, which provided authentic backdrops for key sequences. Cinematographer Kenneth Stipe oversaw the visual capture, contributing to the film's polished aesthetic. Director Aaron Courseault employed a sleek directorial approach, framing scenes with a focus on tension-building visuals and high production values to enhance the thriller narrative. While exact shooting schedules remain undocumented in , the production aligned with a direct-to-video timeline, wrapping prior to the film's May 2007 release. In , editor Vartan Nazarian refined the footage to amplify suspenseful pacing and dramatic beats. Composer Steven Gutheinz handled the score, emphasizing intense dramatic underscores without involving the original Motives . Sound design integrated these elements to underscore the story's gritty realism.

Release

Distribution

Motives 2: Retribution was released directly to DVD on May 1, 2007, by , adopting a straight-to-video strategy aimed at urban thriller enthusiasts through major video rental chains. This approach capitalized on the growing market for direct-to-home in the mid-2000s. Promotional campaigns focused on building buzz via targeted media, including airings on and other urban-oriented outlets to leverage the fanbase from the 2004 original Motives. Posters and print ads highlighted returning stars and , emphasizing the sequel's intense narrative of retribution to draw in viewers familiar with similar dramatic thrillers. Internationally, distribution was limited, with DVD releases in select markets such as on June 12, 2007, on June 20, 2007, on June 18, 2007, and on January 22, 2008, followed by availability on video-on-demand platforms in subsequent years. The film was also made accessible in various home media formats for ongoing availability.

Home media

Motives 2: Retribution was released on DVD by on May 1, 2007, in a format with an of 1.85:1 and an R rating for sexuality and language. The initial edition included special features such as an audio commentary with cast and crew, a featuring interviews, and deleted scenes. By the 2010s, the film transitioned to digital platforms, becoming available for purchase and rental on and . In the 2020s, it expanded to free ad-supported streaming services, including . Re-releases have included DVD bundles with the original Motives film, offered as collector sets through retailers like Amazon and . No Blu-ray upgrade has been produced, attributable to the film's low-budget direct-to-video origins. As of November 2025, Motives 2: Retribution remains primarily accessible on-demand through digital rentals and purchases on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, alongside free streaming on , with physical DVDs available via secondary markets but no major restorations or remasters.

Reception

Critical response

Motives 2: Retribution received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its technical achievements and performances while critiquing its narrative shortcomings. On , the film holds an aggregated user rating of 5/10 based on over 550 votes. Similarly, it scores 67% on from audience ratings, though professional critic reviews are limited due to its direct-to-video release. Critics commended the film's production values and visual style, noting its polished presentation as a step above typical straight-to-DVD fare. Christopher Armstead of Film Critics United highlighted director Aaron Courseault's ability to frame a "beautiful picture" with "slick and flawless" execution and "sky high" production values, crediting the attractive cast including and for strong performances. Nicholas Sheffo from Fulvue Drive-In echoed this, describing the digital HD visuals as "stylized" and more impressive than expected for the , while praising Fox's scene-stealing presence and the overall enthusiasm of the ensemble that made the film "more watchable than you might think." These elements positioned Motives 2 as better than average for urban thrillers in its category. However, reviews frequently pointed to flaws in pacing, , and plotting. Armstead criticized the for lacking the "electric spark and sordidness" of the original, calling it over-plotted with too many characters that led to a slow pace and underdeveloped action, rendering it less entertaining despite its ambitions. Sheffo noted the story's melodramatic tone and formulaic blend of , , and personal intrigue, reminiscent of daytime soaps or paperback thrillers, which resulted in an uneven experience hampered by predictable tropes and reliance on the first film's setup. Such issues contributed to perceptions of the film as a conventional urban thriller with underdeveloped subplots.

Audience reception

Motives 2: Retribution received mixed responses from audiences, with viewer ratings averaging around 5 to 6 out of 10 across major platforms. On The Movie Database (TMDb), it holds a 5.9/10 rating based on 14 user votes, reflecting a generally lukewarm reception among those who rated it. Similarly, IMDb users rated the film 5/10 from 558 votes, praising its engaging plot twists and strong character performances while noting it as a decent but inferior sequel to the original. Audiences appreciated the film's focus on representation within urban communities and its dramatic thriller elements, including suspenseful and relatable "bougie" cultural dynamics. However, common criticisms centered on , with viewers pointing to a weaker plot compared to , excessive recaps of prior events, and the need to suspend disbelief for certain developments. Some expressed disappointment over Shemar Moore's reduced role, stating it diminished the sequel's appeal. On , the audience score stands at 67% from over 250 ratings, indicating a slightly more positive lean among verified viewers who valued the cast's chemistry despite unresolved narrative threads and overall predictability.

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/motives_2_retribution
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0860469/
  3. https://www.filmcriticsunited.com/motives2.html
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365519/plotsummary/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365519/
  6. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/motives
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0860469/locations/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0270487/
  9. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/39178-motives-2-retribution
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0860469/plotsummary/
  11. http://filmcriticsunited.com/motives2.html
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0860469/reviews/
  13. https://upcomingdiscs.com/2007/05/14/motives-2-retribution/
  14. https://noirencyclopedia.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/motives-2-retribution-2007-dtv/
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0860469/fullcredits/
  16. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/39178-motives-2-retribution/cast
  17. https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_ggpd_i-ga-bi500-pf5-bp1-bg4-b22-s4-belec-p-btext
  18. https://ozmagazine.com/the-ambition-of-george-pierre/
  19. https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt0860469/
  20. https://www.amazon.com/Motives-2-Retribution-Drew-Sidora/dp/B000NA1W3G
  21. https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/9f95sm/flicks-of-the-week-vivica-fox-gets-entangled-in-a-messy-web-in-motives/x3oler
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1msLyxIHgM
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0860469/releaseinfo/
  24. https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Motives-2-Retribution-Sean-Blakemore/dp/B000MZGVXS
  25. https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Motives-2-Retribution-DVD/9239/
  26. https://fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5294/Motives%2B2%2B%25E2%2580%2593%2BRetribution%2B%28DVD-Video%29
  27. https://www.amazon.com/Motives-2-Retribution-Vivica-Fox/dp/B000QYIIW2
  28. https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/motives-2-retribution/umc.cmc.40uy5pu9s0up4ljjulx3lrnve
  29. https://tubitv.com/movies/528735/motives-2-retribution
  30. https://www.amazon.com/Motives-2-Retribution-DVD/dp/B003TMG2DU
  31. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/motives-2-retribution
  32. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/motives-2/2000287510/
  33. https://fulvuedrive-in.com/review/5294/Motives+2+%E2%80%93+Retribution+(DVD-Video)
  34. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/39178-motives-2-retribution?language=en-US
  35. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/motives_2_retribution/reviews?type=user
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.