Major League II

Starring: Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, James Gammon, Dennis Haysbert, Omar Epps, Bob Uecker, Keith David, Rene Russo, Randy Quaid, Eric Bruskotter, Alison Doody, Margaret Whitton
Directed by: David S. Ward
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Sport
1994

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: After a surprise season, the Cleveland Indians have let their success go to their heads. The team is back, but they have lost their magic from the previous season. Can Vaughn (Charlie Sheen), Taylor (Tom Berenger), and Hayes (Omar Epps) recapture the magic, or will they return to the basement?

Review:

Tim: I admit that I loved Major League- perhaps more than I should have. I am a Cleveland Indians fan, and besides that, I thought the movie was pretty hilarious. For that reason, I was very excited for this sequel. Yes, it came five years after the original (which is usually not a good thing), but I had high hopes. Nearly the entire cast of the original was back, and we have far too few sports comedies (especially good ones). While I again really liked this movie (perhaps too much), I admit that this movie represented a drop in quality.

While the first movie was hilarious, this one is somewhat less funny. The whole experience and story are similar to the original, and almost too similar. I like the effort this movie put into explaining how such a good team could become so bad the following year. It actually made quite a bit of sense, and it was a believable explanation. Still, this movie felt a bit tired and not nearly as funny. Many of the jokes felt a bit recycled from the first film.

I did think that Bob Uecker was much funnier this time around. He had better writing, and perfect delivery once again. His "He'll need a rocket up his ass to catch that one" is one of the funniest lines I've ever heard. Uecker's drinking and negative comments are hilarious.

The cast is again pretty good. I really like Charlie Sheen as Rick Vaughn, and although he is not as enjoyable here as in the original, he still has good charisma and works very well in the role. Tom Berenger was quite good as well, and I actually liked his smaller but important role here. He works well with the rest of the cast. Again, I don't get why Corbin Benson is important, and I thought he added next to nothing to the film.

I have to admit that I hate when characters are recast from film to film. I also have to admit that I didn't even realize Wesley Snipes had been replaced by Omar Epps until I looked it up halfway through the film. Typically, I would rail against this, but I won't for two reasons- 1. Obviously, Snipes wasn't memorable enough for me to realize he wasn't in this film. 2. Omar Epps is actually enjoyable enough as Willie Mays Hayes that the replacement works.

The rest of the supporting cast is decent. Dennis Haysbert works, but I thought he was less effective here than in the original. I liked David Keith as the film's main antagonist. Randy Quaid was a welcome addition to the cast, and his energy was much needed. I loved that Rene Russo made an uncredited (and very small) cameo. Eric Bruskotter was also a good addition to the cast. He was oftentimes too over-the-top, but I liked him.

While I enjoyed this movie, I have to admit it isn't as good as the original. This film clearly tried to ride the coattails of the original. The movie played it safe by following the same formula, which was fine, but a bit gutless. I wish this movie would have taken a few more chances. The film is also not as funny as the original. However, I have to admit that it did enough right that I was entertained. Sports comedies- ones that focus first on the sports and secondly on comedy- are pretty rare. It is even more rare to find a sports comedy franchise. For that reason, I appreciated the effort put forth here. This movie should have been better, but it is still pretty good.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Major League, Major League: Back to the Minors