Cast: Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Nicholle Tom, Debi Mazar, Chris Penn
Director: Rod Daniel
Producers: Michael C. Gross and Joe Medjuck
Screenplay: Len Blum
Music: Randy Edelman
U.S. Distributor: Universal Pictures
It's puppy love for Beethoven, who falls prey to the wiles of a female Saint Bernard named Missy. Thus begins a series of clandestine trysts in the basement of Missy's mean and vicious owner, Regina (Debi Mazar). The result is a group of four very young Beethoven clones that end up hidden in the house of George and Alice Newton (Charles Grodin and Bonnie Hunt). Surprisingly, the bulk of this movie is not about how the dogs tear up the house. Instead, the film is content to focus upon the insipid lives of the three Newton children. Only at the end, when Regina and her sleazeball boyfriend (Chris Penn) try to capture the puppies and off their dad, do the dogs take center stage.
Beethoven's Second is one of those rare sequels that's better than the original -- not a great feat, admittedly, when you consider how unredeemably awful the first Beethoven was. While this outing isn't a comic pinnacle, at least it offers a few opportunities for legitimate laughter. Some of the jokes are rather cruel (along the lines of what happened to the crooks in Home Alone), but they're still amusing. An unintentional moment of mirth comes from seeing Debi Mazar's too-obvious stunt double take a fall for her.
Charles Grodin and Bonnie Hunt have settled into roles that they seemed terribly embarrassed to be playing in Beethoven. Last time around, the dog may have outacted them, but they get their revenge here, when they manage to give better performances than no fewer than six canines. And there aren't nearly as many truly embarrassing moments featuring the Newton kids. In fact, Nicholle Tom (who plays Ryce Newton) has a few scenes where she does something very much like acting.
Beethoven's target audience hasn't changed. Children younger than ten years of age will enjoy themselves immensely, and adults who aren't much more discriminating than their offspring may also have a good time. However, those who expect solid entertainment won't find it here -- not that anyone is likely to stumble into Beethoven's Second without a fair idea of what they're going to get. The basic premise is hardly a secret.
On a more serious note, there is one area in which this film makes an unforgivable faux pas. It attempts, in a rather offhand way, to address the issue of teen date rape. This is turned into a big joke as Beethoven literally brings down the house, but the introduction and handling of such a serious social issue is worse than a miscalculation -- it's irresponsible and insensitive. If a movie intends to involve date rape, it should deal with the problem, not treat it like a passing and inconsequential incident.
Beethoven's Second is one of those movies that doesn't really require a review. If you like Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Saint Bernards, and/or the first Beethoven, you'll find something to enjoy here. Otherwise, don't bother. Unless you have kids, that is. Then you may not have a choice.
© 1993, 1996 James Berardinelli