Critters 2

**_Effectively continues the story, but it’s not as good as the first movie_** It is reported that Crites are still present on Earth, so Ug (Terrence Mann) and two other galactic bounty hunters return to wipe them out, including earthling misfit Charlie (Don Keith Opper). Brad (Scott Grimes) just so happens to be in town when they visit the planet. Along with his new girlfriend (Liane Curtis), they team-up to eradicate the extraterrestrial menace of furry critters. “Critters 2: The Main Course” (1988) has several highlights, but it’s just no where near as good as the original film from two years prior. For one thing, it’s more cartoonish and goofier, which makes it difficult to suspend disbelief as could be done with the first one. On the positive side, winsome Liane Curtis (Megan) is superior to the actress who played the young female in “Critters,” but the director failed to take advantage of her presence. Statuesque blonde Roxanne Kernohan is entertaining as a ‘playmate’ of whom bounty hunter Lee takes the appearance. Her brief top nudity is surprising for a PG-13 flick. Unfortunately, Roxanne would be deceased in just five years due to a car wreck. Speaking of bounty hunter Lee, this ‘nothingface’ alien combined with his partner, Ug, results in the team Ug-Lee. Get it? There are enough amusing bits to make this worth catching if you liked the first movie, such as the giant ball of critters rolling over a guy and leaving only his bloody skeleton. It’s just a letdown by comparison. It runs 1 hour, 26 minutes, and was shot in Santa Clarita, California, which is located 32 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. GRADE: B-/C+

<em>'Critters 2: The Main Course'</em> is more of the same, which is good for a sequel of this type. I wasn't anticipating much but it's solid enough, if you like the first flick then I'd be surprised if this disappointed you. I did rate the original, so go figure. Scott Grimes is the standout, in my opinion, from the first release, here he takes a bit more of a back seat (if still the lead) as it's practically an ensemble. Liane Alexandra Curtis does well, as does M. Emmet Walsh replacement Barry Corbin. There aren't any cast issues, that's for sure. I felt like we got more of the titular characters in this, which is something I wanted. The effects still look very good, like last time I do enjoy the little pieces of dialogue that the critters get; especially the 'uh ohs'. Elsewhere, we get added blood and nudity for this follow-up... Now to see if lightning struck thrice with the third installment, which features the film debut of a Hollywood great.