I actuallly liked the film

It's always tough on the sequels, especially when coming after decades with same cast. We all have our hopes high not to mention difficult to be surprised again. So I am always quite flexible and forgiving, trying to enjoy instead of over-thinking or complicating things.

I mean, I admit, it was not a great story in the end, and the cast was just ok, so no impacts to me similar to the previous one.

Nevertheless one thing I really enjoyed in this one is how you can actually feel the change since the 80's: How Finance works, the Stockmarket, information, the social media, technology invasion (if not domination)

And in terms of the cast, I also HATE Mr. Shia and didn't care much about Ms Mulligan, but this is how young people are today.
Not like Bud Fox, geled hair, slick ties, playing squash but skinny, tie-less, youngsters, technology superstars to support their skill (if any)

And what a statement / link of generations Mr. Langella gave to this movie.
The way technology is running, I think young people that can litteraly absorb it, will even eventually matter more than experience.

Finally, I really liked how much Oliver Stone changed his ways (for this film?)
So much music, so much city photograpy in the night, shooting parties but also contemporary family moments.
This one felt so much as a 2010 movie, where as the previous one was sooooooooo 80's. It's a nice feeling.

I would just treat this as a movie based on characters of another story, not as a sequel, and honestly say I quite enjoyed it.