Problem Child 2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Problem Child 2 | |
|---|---|
 VHS Cover for Problem Child 2. |
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| Directed by | Brian Levant |
| Produced by | Robert Simonds |
| Written by | Scott Alexander Larry Karaszewski |
| Starring | Michael Oliver John Ritter Laraine Newman Amy Yasbeck Ivyann Schwan Jack Warden Gilbert Gottfried |
| Music by | David Kitay |
| Cinematography | Peter Smokler |
| Editing by | Lois Freeman-Fox Robert P. Seppey |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 1991 |
| Running time | 90 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Problem Child 2 (1991) is a comedy sequel to the 1990 "surprise hit" Problem Child; a continuation of the exploits of an adopted orphan child who deliberately wreaks havoc everywhere he goes.
This second installment in the franchise did not fare as well as its predecessor both with the critics and at the box-office.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
Most of the original cast returns in their original roles. Starring are Michael Oliver, John Ritter, Laraine Newman, Amy Yasbeck, Ivyann Schwann, Jack Warden, and Gilbert Gottfried.
An older and longer-legged Michael Oliver returns as "Junior", joined in mayhem with younger Ivyann Schwan (Parenthood), as Trixie Young.
Amy Yasbeck returns in a new role with a new dynamic totally opposite her original character. At this point in their careers, Yasbeck and Ritter were a real-life couple having furthered a connection that started on the set of PC1. One of the plot lines in PC2 is if their characters would romantically connect. In real-life it would be another 8 years, in 1999, before the couple were married.
Whereas the first PC film succeeded with an ample supply of comic-book-style escapism fare, PC2 was criticized for its heavy repeated use of toilet humour to the point of making it "vulgar",[1] an overriding factor in the production's lack of appeal.
This is evidenced in the opening credits of the film with Dad and "Junior" urinating by the side of a road and then "Junior" making an obscene gesture. The marketing of the film as "family fare" was highly criticized.[1]
It was followed four years later with Problem Child 3: Junior in Love, a 1995 made-for-TV film, with Gilbert Gottfried and Jack Warden as the only returning cast members.
There was also a short-lived Problem Child animated TV series.
[edit] Synopsis
"Junior" and his father, Ben Healy, move from Cold River to Mortville. "Junior" becomes threatened by Ben's desire to date again and find a new mother for "Junior", and sabotages each of his dates. Ben falls in love with Annie Young, the school nurse. However, Annie is the mother of Trixie--who is worse than "Junior" in his behavior and equally resents her mother dating again. Then Ben meets Lawanda Dumore, the richest woman in Mortville, who desires to marry Ben and send "Junior" to boarding school in Baghdad. And Ben now has to make the decision whether to continue to pursue Annie for love or marry Lawanda so "Junior" can have a mother.
[edit] Featured cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| John Ritter | Ben Healy |
| Michael Oliver | "Junior" Healy |
| Amy Yasbeck | Annie Young |
| Ivyann Schwan | Trixie Young |
| Jack Warden | "Big Ben" Healy |
| Laraine Newman | Lawanda Dumore |
| Gilbert Gottfried | Igor Peabody |
| Paul Willson | Smith |
[edit] Special DVD release
Problem Child and Problem Child 2 were released together on DVD in the U.S. on March 2, 2004, shortly after the death of John Ritter, as a package entitled Problem Child Tantrum Pack.
The DVD was released as a single sided disc with both movies on a main menu. On the DVD each of the submenus have their original theatrical trailer.
The package does not contain the third film, the made-for-TV Problem Child 3: Junior in Love (1995).
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Hicks, Chris. Problem Child 2. deseretnews.com. Retrieved on September 7, 2006.
