F/X2
F/X man Rollie Tyler is now a toymaker. Mike, the ex-husband of his girlfriend Kim, is a cop. He asks Rollie to help catch a killer. The operation goes well until some unknown man kills both the killer and Mike. Mike's boss, Silak says it was the killer who killed Mike but Rollie knows it wasn't. Obviously, Silak is involved with Mike's death, so he calls on Leo McCarthy, the cop from the last movie, who is now a P.I., for help and they discover it's not just Silak they have to worry about.
Working with a respectable budget of $18.0M, the film achieved a modest success with $21.1M in global revenue (+17% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
F/X2 (1991) exhibits carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Richard Franklin's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Rollie Tyler has left the dangerous world of espionage behind and now creates sophisticated toys and special effects in his workshop, living peacefully with girlfriend Kim and enjoying his creative work.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Mike Brandon is murdered after asking Rollie to help him with a special effects project involving recovered Vatican gold. Rollie becomes a suspect and realizes he's been set up.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Rollie and Leo actively decide to team up and investigate the conspiracy together, using Rollie's special effects skills and Leo's detective experience to uncover the truth., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False defeat: They discover the conspiracy goes higher than expected - corrupt officials are involved. An attempt on their lives shows the antagonists know they're investigating. The stakes escalate dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Kim is kidnapped by the conspirators to force Rollie to surrender. Rollie feels he's failed to protect the people he loves, facing the realization that his past has destroyed his new life., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 87 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Synthesis moment: Rollie realizes he can use his special effects mastery combined with Leo's tactical planning to create an elaborate illusion that will expose the conspirators and save Kim., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
F/X2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping F/X2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Richard Franklin utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish F/X2 within the action genre.
Richard Franklin's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Richard Franklin films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. F/X2 represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Richard Franklin filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Richard Franklin analyses, see Cloak & Dagger.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rollie Tyler has left the dangerous world of espionage behind and now creates sophisticated toys and special effects in his workshop, living peacefully with girlfriend Kim and enjoying his creative work.
Theme
Kim's conversation about trust and the past catching up with you: "You can't run from who you are." Theme of identity and whether people can truly escape their past.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Rollie's new peaceful life, his relationship with Kim, introduction to her ex-husband Mike Brandon and his media empire, and Leo McCarthy's retirement from police work.
Disruption
Mike Brandon is murdered after asking Rollie to help him with a special effects project involving recovered Vatican gold. Rollie becomes a suspect and realizes he's been set up.
Resistance
Rollie debates whether to run or investigate. He reconnects with retired detective Leo McCarthy. They discuss the setup and examine the evidence. Leo agrees to help investigate despite being retired.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rollie and Leo actively decide to team up and investigate the conspiracy together, using Rollie's special effects skills and Leo's detective experience to uncover the truth.
Mirror World
The partnership between Rollie and Leo deepens as they combine their complementary skills - the creative trickster and the methodical investigator - embodying the theme of using your true nature rather than running from it.
Premise
Rollie and Leo use special effects tricks and detective work to infiltrate secure locations, gather clues about the conspiracy, and get closer to discovering who orchestrated Mike's murder and the gold theft.
Midpoint
False defeat: They discover the conspiracy goes higher than expected - corrupt officials are involved. An attempt on their lives shows the antagonists know they're investigating. The stakes escalate dramatically.
Opposition
The conspirators close in on Rollie and Leo. Kim is endangered. Their investigation becomes more desperate as enemies anticipate their moves. The pressure intensifies from all sides.
Collapse
Kim is kidnapped by the conspirators to force Rollie to surrender. Rollie feels he's failed to protect the people he loves, facing the realization that his past has destroyed his new life.
Crisis
Rollie hits bottom emotionally, contemplating giving up. Leo reminds him that running won't work - he must use who he really is to win. Rollie processes the loss and finds new determination.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Synthesis moment: Rollie realizes he can use his special effects mastery combined with Leo's tactical planning to create an elaborate illusion that will expose the conspirators and save Kim.
Synthesis
Rollie and Leo execute an elaborate special effects con to trap the conspirators, rescue Kim, and expose the corruption. Final confrontation with the villains using illusions and detective work in perfect combination.
Transformation
Rollie in his workshop again, but transformed - he now accepts both sides of himself. He continues creating effects but is no longer running from his capabilities. He's integrated his past with his present.