Reviews (110)

Best College Comedy EVER
Maybe it's just that I was in college when this film came out, maybe it's that I'm a big Val Kilmer fan, but whatever the reason, Real Genius is one of the funniest films ever made. It contains what I consider to be the single funniest line ever put on film ("Was it a dream where you see yourself in sort of sun God robes on a pyramid, with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you? Why am I the only person that has that dream?"). The mostly never heard from again cast (aside from Kilmer and Atherton) does a great job, and Martha Coolidge directs her best effort with a perfect contemporary soundtrack (though another reviewer is *definitely* right about the music being mixed far higher than the dialog). All of that said, it is an incredible crime against all people my age (mid to late 30s) that this DVD has **NO** features. An interview or commentary by Kilmer would be a must (not to mention director Coolidge). Kilmer told *great* stories at the time about his research for the role with the brainiacs at Pepperdine ... those should be ON THE DVD. What is it about these studio people that they don't get the whole point of the DVD medium. Putting just the film on DVD makes the studio look stupid, makes it clear they don't care about the film, and it's insulting to those of us who have been anxiously awaiting this release.

The greatest movie ever made...and then some.
"Real Genius" is the BEST movie I have ever seen. I saw it for the first time when I was about 3 (I'm 15 now). And heck, even at that age, I loved it! Of course, I didn't understand it, but I still thought it was cool. And now 12 years later, after upwards of 100 viewings, it is my favorite movie. Why? Because it's perfect! The quintessential 80's comedy movie.

A lot of people think the magic of this awesome flick is in Val Kilmer...and yes, I'll admit, he hits every line perfectly and is quite a hottie...but I think we should all give serious kudos to Gabriel Jarret - the awesome co-star. Okay, so maybe he's not a stud like Val (Gabriel is teddy-bear cute in this movie. You just wanna pinch his cheek!), but he's still great. He's got the whole mama's boy thing going on as Mitch, and he really makes his character come to life. He plays a shy, quiet, geeky 15 year-old perfectly (BTW, does anyone know how old he was when he did this movie?).

But anyway, one of the neatest things about "Real Genius" is its incredible, believable, totally quotable script. You'll find a new favorite quote every time you watch it (and trust me - watching it once isn't enough).

Okay, I've blabbered on enough. SEE THIS MOVIE ~ you will LOVE it!

~ Peace out ~

Lasing a stick of dynamite!
This is one of those movies that stays fun no matter how many times you see it year after year. Val Kilmer had made a couple of movies before this one, but this was his breakout role as the genius Chris Knight - a senior in college working on a project for his professor that he is largely indifferent to completing. Along comes the underage freshman, Mitch Taylor (wonderfully played by Gabriel Jarrett), who has been recruited to help finish the project.

The movie is really about Mitch finding his way in a high-pressure college situation. He endures Kent, the jerk that tortures him and who works in the same lab. Kent is not untalented, but not a genius like Chris or Mitch and resents the favoritism genius claims. Kent tries to get attention by sucking up to Prof. Hathaway (brilliantly played in all his corruption by William Atherton), but never gets what he is seeking.

As just one minor example of the riches in this movie is the scene when Mitch is going to a packed math class. Soon people start bringing small tape recorders to class and not attending. Mitch is one of the few actually listening to the prof. Finally, Mitch is the only one in the class, even the prof becomes a reel-to-reel tape player with a sign attached that says encourages the students to listen carefully. While changes in technology would make that scene impossible today, it is still wonderfully effective.

Mitch also meets Jordan, a girl who is so hyperactive she doesn't sleep, finds time to invent things as well as resurface the floor in her dorm room. Jordan is magnificently played by Michelle Myrink and is one of those characters you wish you knew in real life as a friend. Although, frankly, Jordan would be exhausting to know. But her intelligence, innocence and kindness would more than compensate for the energy you would have to expend keeping up with her.

The movie is populated with wonderful characters of all sorts. The plot is hung on a very 80s theme, but that's OK, the final scene draws it all together in spectacular and funny way.

A classic.

college should be like this
Real Genius is definitely a great film. I don't know that I would say it is Kilmer's best, but it does show off his considerable comic talent, and I consider it one of his best.

It is a delightful college romp with geeks aplenty, and the humor is a lot classier than Animal House, which is another good college flick. It is full of subtle and not so subtle satire on society, such as the botched saying ("like shooting ducks in a barrel") in the slick video boardroom presentation for the weapon concept, and the remark from one general after hearing about having a working weapon system by June - "Don't ask me, I haven't had a working weapon system since Korea."

I can't add anything about the Cal Tech trivia, but it did seem to me that the limo used for the weapon test looked an awful lot like JFK's ill-fated Dallas limo. Veiled commentary about the Military-Industrial Complex?

There is, of course, lots of geek/college humor, but nothing really gross. The sexual humor and references are pretty light, well handled, and fit in with the story. The humor covers the social commentary well, and the film makes its statements without preaching. It is a film I recommend to all students entering college. It is also one of those films that I watch regularly to boost my spirits and have a good time. It reminds one not to take onself too seriously. Highly recommended.

Movie Great, DVD blows
The movie itself is great. Cheesy, but a true 80s classic. Unfortunately, this DVD version is horrible. If you already own the VHS, don't bother with the DVD. There is nothing extra on the DVD at all. No commentary, no notes, no trivia, no cast info, no original trailers, nothing. Totally slapped together. I'm sick of McDVDs like this. Personally, I'm waiting for the Special Edition that you *just know* they will crank out once the market is saturated with this version. ... Read more

Reviews (94)

What was so wrong with it?
My mother and I were the only two people in the theater the day that we saw Speed 2: Cruise Control. After watching the movie, I couldn't understand why so many people hated this movie. It was not a bad movie by any account, except for some discrepancies in the destruction of the cruise ship. The movie made me laugh while also giving me a dosage of suspense, thrills, and great special effects. Sandra Bullock is always a joy to watch on screen, giving each of her movies a comic, light and happy feel. The absence of Keanu Reeves is nothing to worry about, seeing as how he didn't really bring much adventure to the first movie either. Jason Patric delivers a terrific performance, and it is Willem Dafoe's character who is the epitome of insanity and hunger for revenge. I wouldn't really listen to a lot of what people had to say: this is a comical, thrill-ride movie that will have you laughing and holding your breath.

Fast Bus 2: Big Slow Ship
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1998)
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Jason Patric, Willem Dafoe
Directed By: Jan de Bont
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 121 minutes
___________________________________________________________

On One Hand...
"Thumps up!"
-Roger Ebert

...on the Other.
"A waterlogged sequel that'll soon be bottom-feeding with Beyond the Poseidon Adventure."
-Mike Clark, USA Today
___________________________________________________________

The Love Boat meets Air Force One

Speed 2: Cruise Control was one whacked-out movie. Throwing the thrilling dramatic elements of the first film overboard, all it has left is the action...and some dude called Jason Patric.

One sure thing that can be said about this movie is its special effects are fabulous. We're talking big money effects, including that oh-so-cool finale where the Seabourn Legend (the ship) crashes into a resort town.

___________________________________________________________

The Plot

Trouble continues to follow LA citizen Annie Porter when she and her new hubby (a stone-faced Jason Patric) book a tropical cruise on the Seabourn Legend cruise ship. A crazed computer hacker (Willem Dafoe) has taken over the ship and is setting on a course to destruction...to some sort of some tanker, I guess, that would've exploded (and ends up exploding anyway, but the ship is safe, of course). So, of course, Annie and her beau attempt (meaning they will of course succeed) to save the ship and its passengers.

__________________________________________________________

The Cast

Sandra Bullock as Annie Porter
(Speed, 28 Days, Two Weeks Notice)
Ms. Bullock, easily my favorite actress, gives a good, if not great, performance, in an iffy-at-best action movie. Speed was outstanding, and it's hard to live up to that, but Sandra OWNS this movie, pretty much.

Jason Patric as Officer Alex Shaw
(Your Friends and Neighbours, Sleepers, Narc)
For one, I have no idea who this actor is, he's new to me. And I'm not likely to see any more of his movies based on his performance in this movie. Instead of Keanu Reeve's more human performance as an LAPD cop in the first movie, Patric plays his Alex Shaw (also in the LAPD) as a traditional action hero, always stone-faced and heroic. In fact, Alex Shaw is not the most interesting character in the world. Well as long as Annie's happy...

Willem Dafoe as John Geiger
(The English Patient, eXistenZ, Spider-Man)
Dafoe takes over the psycho role, vacated (and beheaded) by Dennis Hopper in the first film. He's didn't seem evil (maybe crazy) but he is rather cool, and his plot to destroy the Seabourn Legend cruise ship was inspired. Willem Dafoe is a very talented man.

Another very good performance comes comes from deaf actress Christine Firkins, who plays a deaf teenager named Drew. This movie is notable for the fact that there's not only a deaf character, but the fact that they hired a deaf actress for the part.
___________________________________________________________

So, About the Special Effects...

The effects in this movie are very, very good (they better have been, considering its supposed $110-$150 million price tag). The ship is jaw-droppingly cool, as good as the titular vessel in Titanic...unlike that movie though, Speed 2 employed an actual cruise ship (the real Seabourn Legend) in some shots (most shots of it are computer graphics). The finale in the resort town was very, very neat (I talked about this part in the first part of this review).
___________________________________________________________

So What Did I Think?

Aside from the effects, this a pretty average action movie with pretty average performances. While nowhere near as good as the first Speed movie, this sequel is glossy, silly movie-night fun (even though it thinks its a seriously heavyweight action movie).

___________________________________________________________

not bad
ok, this sequel does not live up to the standards of the first but it is very enjoyable. Sure there can be the occasional stupid dialogue here and there, but only really by one person, Willem defoe, but he did an ok job but i didnt see it for him, i saw it for the action. The action sequences really picked up when daylight came. They are good but they should have cut them shorter a bit, only because i really wanted to feel the rush like in the first, but i love the ship running into the town and the boat blowing up in the end. I think this film would have been great if Keanu had accepted to come back and they should have kept the MA rating. sandra Bullock, good as usual, Jason Patrik, well they needed somebody to fill in and he did a good job. This film does not take itself too seriously, they made it for the fans, and i liked it, just enjoy it for what it is, a pretty decent sequel.

Speed 2 needs to slow down!
The original Speed was a different kind of movie (Who would have thought a movie that took place mainly on a bus would be so good?) that for one reason or another MANY people enjoyed. Speed 2 seems to be one of those "We liked the first one so we want a sequel!" Kind of movies, and it turned out to be pretty bad. Speed 2 actually makes a Disney sequel look GOOD.

The movie centers around our heroine Annie (her role reprised by Sandra Bullock) who is taking a driving test in the beginning of the movie to get her license back for (gasp!) speeding! She has just gotten herself out of a relationship with Jack (Who was in the first one) and is now with Alex (Jason Patric). When she finds out that Alex works for the same squad that Jack works for she isn't too happy with that.

Later Alex decides to take Annie on a cruise and when they do things start off fine and dandy until a mad bomber (William Dafoe) by the name of Geiger takes over the cruise ship trapping a few passengers on board.

Let's put this one thing aside, Keanu Reeves didn't show up in this film. Surprisingly enough this one thing is what starts the film slide into ruin. Jason Patric and Sandra Bullock don't really have a whole lot of chemistry. It isn't as well developed as it was in the first Speed movie. I'm sure that even if Keanu Reeves had appeared in this movie it wouldn't have saved it from becoming a mess anyhow.

William Dafoe doesn't make for the greatest villian either (who would've thought that five years later he'd be the Green Goblin in the blockbuster hit: Spider Man?). He has the potential to be a great mad bomber but somehow he misses what the bomber in the first movie had. That would be his lack of remorse and intelligence.

Speed 2 doesn't keep on the edge of your seat like the first movie did. Speed 2 is like a Disney Sequel, not good enough for the theater. Speed 2 I can honestly say was a bad movie. An under developed plot put along with some pretty under developed characters make this movie seem like garbage.

I don't recommend this movie to anyone who liked the first one. Those who enjoyed the first movie probably won't like this one.

Defiantly not as Good as the first
it was alright, but i can't say it was better or as good as the first. i strongly recommend watching the first, then watching the second. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Anybody seen Keanu? The action star of Speed opted outof this overbearing sequel, which finds costar Sandra Bullock in love withanother guy (Jason Patric) and in trouble aboard a cruise ship underthe control ofa mad extortionist (Willem Dafoe). Speed director Jan de Bontis back at the helm for part 2, but even he seems to have forgottenthat what made the first film work was the simplicity of its hook(the bomb, the bus that can'tdrive below 50 mph, the handful of sympathetic passengers, etc.).Speed 2 isall about hugeness: big ship, lots of places to get into trouble, and so on.Even with an eye-popping, endless finale of the vessel crashing into port (andcausing mondo destruction), there is nothing about this movie that is remotelyas involving as its predecessor. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (94)

What was so wrong with it?
My mother and I were the only two people in the theater the day that we saw Speed 2: Cruise Control. After watching the movie, I couldn't understand why so many people hated this movie. It was not a bad movie by any account, except for some discrepancies in the destruction of the cruise ship. The movie made me laugh while also giving me a dosage of suspense, thrills, and great special effects. Sandra Bullock is always a joy to watch on screen, giving each of her movies a comic, light and happy feel. The absence of Keanu Reeves is nothing to worry about, seeing as how he didn't really bring much adventure to the first movie either. Jason Patric delivers a terrific performance, and it is Willem Dafoe's character who is the epitome of insanity and hunger for revenge. I wouldn't really listen to a lot of what people had to say: this is a comical, thrill-ride movie that will have you laughing and holding your breath.

Fast Bus 2: Big Slow Ship
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1998)
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Jason Patric, Willem Dafoe
Directed By: Jan de Bont
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 121 minutes
___________________________________________________________

On One Hand...
"Thumps up!"
-Roger Ebert

...on the Other.
"A waterlogged sequel that'll soon be bottom-feeding with Beyond the Poseidon Adventure."
-Mike Clark, USA Today
___________________________________________________________

The Love Boat meets Air Force One

Speed 2: Cruise Control was one whacked-out movie. Throwing the thrilling dramatic elements of the first film overboard, all it has left is the action...and some dude called Jason Patric.

One sure thing that can be said about this movie is its special effects are fabulous. We're talking big money effects, including that oh-so-cool finale where the Seabourn Legend (the ship) crashes into a resort town.

___________________________________________________________

The Plot

Trouble continues to follow LA citizen Annie Porter when she and her new hubby (a stone-faced Jason Patric) book a tropical cruise on the Seabourn Legend cruise ship. A crazed computer hacker (Willem Dafoe) has taken over the ship and is setting on a course to destruction...to some sort of some tanker, I guess, that would've exploded (and ends up exploding anyway, but the ship is safe, of course). So, of course, Annie and her beau attempt (meaning they will of course succeed) to save the ship and its passengers.

__________________________________________________________

The Cast

Sandra Bullock as Annie Porter
(Speed, 28 Days, Two Weeks Notice)
Ms. Bullock, easily my favorite actress, gives a good, if not great, performance, in an iffy-at-best action movie. Speed was outstanding, and it's hard to live up to that, but Sandra OWNS this movie, pretty much.

Jason Patric as Officer Alex Shaw
(Your Friends and Neighbours, Sleepers, Narc)
For one, I have no idea who this actor is, he's new to me. And I'm not likely to see any more of his movies based on his performance in this movie. Instead of Keanu Reeve's more human performance as an LAPD cop in the first movie, Patric plays his Alex Shaw (also in the LAPD) as a traditional action hero, always stone-faced and heroic. In fact, Alex Shaw is not the most interesting character in the world. Well as long as Annie's happy...

Willem Dafoe as John Geiger
(The English Patient, eXistenZ, Spider-Man)
Dafoe takes over the psycho role, vacated (and beheaded) by Dennis Hopper in the first film. He's didn't seem evil (maybe crazy) but he is rather cool, and his plot to destroy the Seabourn Legend cruise ship was inspired. Willem Dafoe is a very talented man.

Another very good performance comes comes from deaf actress Christine Firkins, who plays a deaf teenager named Drew. This movie is notable for the fact that there's not only a deaf character, but the fact that they hired a deaf actress for the part.
___________________________________________________________

So, About the Special Effects...

The effects in this movie are very, very good (they better have been, considering its supposed $110-$150 million price tag). The ship is jaw-droppingly cool, as good as the titular vessel in Titanic...unlike that movie though, Speed 2 employed an actual cruise ship (the real Seabourn Legend) in some shots (most shots of it are computer graphics). The finale in the resort town was very, very neat (I talked about this part in the first part of this review).
___________________________________________________________

So What Did I Think?

Aside from the effects, this a pretty average action movie with pretty average performances. While nowhere near as good as the first Speed movie, this sequel is glossy, silly movie-night fun (even though it thinks its a seriously heavyweight action movie).

___________________________________________________________

not bad
ok, this sequel does not live up to the standards of the first but it is very enjoyable. Sure there can be the occasional stupid dialogue here and there, but only really by one person, Willem defoe, but he did an ok job but i didnt see it for him, i saw it for the action. The action sequences really picked up when daylight came. They are good but they should have cut them shorter a bit, only because i really wanted to feel the rush like in the first, but i love the ship running into the town and the boat blowing up in the end. I think this film would have been great if Keanu had accepted to come back and they should have kept the MA rating. sandra Bullock, good as usual, Jason Patrik, well they needed somebody to fill in and he did a good job. This film does not take itself too seriously, they made it for the fans, and i liked it, just enjoy it for what it is, a pretty decent sequel.

Speed 2 needs to slow down!
The original Speed was a different kind of movie (Who would have thought a movie that took place mainly on a bus would be so good?) that for one reason or another MANY people enjoyed. Speed 2 seems to be one of those "We liked the first one so we want a sequel!" Kind of movies, and it turned out to be pretty bad. Speed 2 actually makes a Disney sequel look GOOD.

The movie centers around our heroine Annie (her role reprised by Sandra Bullock) who is taking a driving test in the beginning of the movie to get her license back for (gasp!) speeding! She has just gotten herself out of a relationship with Jack (Who was in the first one) and is now with Alex (Jason Patric). When she finds out that Alex works for the same squad that Jack works for she isn't too happy with that.

Later Alex decides to take Annie on a cruise and when they do things start off fine and dandy until a mad bomber (William Dafoe) by the name of Geiger takes over the cruise ship trapping a few passengers on board.

Let's put this one thing aside, Keanu Reeves didn't show up in this film. Surprisingly enough this one thing is what starts the film slide into ruin. Jason Patric and Sandra Bullock don't really have a whole lot of chemistry. It isn't as well developed as it was in the first Speed movie. I'm sure that even if Keanu Reeves had appeared in this movie it wouldn't have saved it from becoming a mess anyhow.

William Dafoe doesn't make for the greatest villian either (who would've thought that five years later he'd be the Green Goblin in the blockbuster hit: Spider Man?). He has the potential to be a great mad bomber but somehow he misses what the bomber in the first movie had. That would be his lack of remorse and intelligence.

Speed 2 doesn't keep on the edge of your seat like the first movie did. Speed 2 is like a Disney Sequel, not good enough for the theater. Speed 2 I can honestly say was a bad movie. An under developed plot put along with some pretty under developed characters make this movie seem like garbage.

I don't recommend this movie to anyone who liked the first one. Those who enjoyed the first movie probably won't like this one.

Defiantly not as Good as the first
it was alright, but i can't say it was better or as good as the first. i strongly recommend watching the first, then watching the second. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The human beings are almost as interesting as the title character inthis surprisingly subtle and engaging film about the cross-country adventures of a smart-mouthed parrot. As director John Roberts deploys the footage, the bird becomes a vivid personality; every quizzical twist of his head is oddly expressive. The people who interact with Paulie are a quirky and interesting bunch as well, and the casting is topnotch: Tony Shalhoub (The Siege) as a Russian immigrant janitor, Cheech Marin as an open-hearted mariachi musician, and Gena Rowlands as a widowed painter in a footloose Winnebago--all are vividly eccentric individuals, memorable in their own right. There are some tired swipes at the cold-blooded meanies of Big Science (beady-eyed researcher Bruce Davison has Paulie clapped in irons), but for the most part the film respects the complexity of everyone's motivations, and that's virtually unheard of in today's Hollywood, even in films supposedly designed for grownups. --David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (38)

A terrific movie that is fun for the whole family.
This is truly one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I laughed, I cried, I watched it with my children and was overjoyed by the wonderful ending. "Paulie" is a must-see movie for all members of the family. It was heartwarming and entertaining, and the parrot in the movie is so adorable! My hats are off to the creators of this film, and I must say that Jay Mohr did a wonderful job as the voice of Paulie, and as an actor in the movie! Good Job! I recommend this movie highly.

I love this movie--4 hankies
No kid but I love my parrot so this was a natural choice. So far, I've watched it twice and 4 hankies each time. This movie covers the human heart: love, devotion, separation, sadness, friendship, trust. I caution people: love this movie but do not to run out and buy a bird without doing lot of research--this is a huge commitment, much more than it appears.

A Fun Movie
This is a fun and funny movie that works on a number of levels. Both adults and kids can enjoy it. It has intereting, quirkey characters (both bird and human), good story telling, and good effects. Think of a non-animated "Finding Nemo" with birds. All my family loved it.

great movie
this is a wonderful movie that he whole family can enjoy. owning a conure myself i found it especially amusing. this movie will make you laugh and in the next minute make u tear up. an overall great movie

A Truly Delightful Surprise
This wonderful little movie is a truly delightful surprise. Paulie's experiences with love, loss, and courage brought me to tears several times during the movie. Paulie's vulnerability will tug at the heart-strings of animal lovers. And, as in "Fly Away Home" and "Winged Migration," the scenes of Paulie in glorious flight are beautiful and moving. ... Read more

Description

When you’re the world’s funniest, fast-talking parrot, you can find yourself in a world of trouble – real fast – as Paulie learns in this hilarious adventure classic the whole family will treasure.

When a little bird with a big personality sets out to find the loving girl who raised him, he discovers his way with words has a way of landing him in big trouble.But as fast as he can talk himself into a fix, he finds his gift of gab, a heart full of hope, and an odd menagerie of human friends can help him realize his most important dream – to be home at last! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Family nice...
I was pleasently surprised how well this film held my attention and captured my emotions. I had worked on the music for this film but never really saw the film all the way through. At first I was just looking for my song, but the actors were very strong and believable...to the point that I kept thinking about it DAYS after I had seen the film. I even watched it a second time with my daughter who of course loved it.
I look forward to more family type films that I CAN sit and watch with my 4 year old. Bravo...

Great Family Movie
If you are looking for good family entertainment for the kids that adults can actually enjoy too, then this is the film for you! A rare treat in this day and age!

A Little Inside
Adapted from a 14 minute short of the same name directed and written by Kara Harshbarger, A Little Inside provides solid drama and characters you really care about. Harshbarger also wrote and directed this full length feature starring Hallie Kate Eisenberg (Paulie, Beautiful) as Abby Mills who begins to seek more female influences due to the void in her single parent family. Her dad, Ed, played by Benjamin King, must deal with Abby's growing needs while mulling over an opportunity to play minor league baseball again after a five year absence and possibly make it to the major leagues.

The beginning scene captures the characters dynamics perfectly as Abby tries her best at her pee wee league baseball. "I can't hit at all," Abby says, "We lose because of me." Ed's over zealous next door neighbor Nancy, played by Kathy Baker (TVs Picket Fences, Cider House Rules), sees Abby's frustration and begins to take an increased interest in Abby by having her over for sleepovers and braiding her hair. Nancy creates an interesting dynamic in the Mills' household by providing help & hurt at the same time though she has good intentions. Eventually she encounters the same type of problems identifying with Abby that Ed has. "I don't know what to do when she's upset," Nancy says to Ed.

Ed's work as a mechanic keeps his life steady but when his new co-worker Matt, played by Jared Padalecki (TVs Gilmore Girls), recognizes Ed from his glory days as a minor league star, it lights a baseball fire that has been burning under Ed for a while. His number one priority, namely Abby, now seems to be a liability, even though he loves her very much.

Ed also seeks his former coach, Tom Donner, played by Frankie Faison (Down to Earth, Thomas Crown Affair) for some helpful advice. Coach Donner provides some solid support for Ed's impending comeback with dialogue like "Don't waste anytime trying to get those years back." You're led to assume he's a good coach even though you don't see him actually coaching or providing extraordinary guidance to other players. The assumption gains strength as Coach Donner offers Ed insightful tidbits regarding the "blind spot in his life" which becomes easy to see because of their simple lives and small town setting. Coach Donner has a functional role that could've been expanded, but the focus mainly stays on Ed and Abby.

Eisenberg and King have great family chemistry together especially during a scene when they're packing luggage. Their relationship anchors the movie as other characters act as supplements to their life story including the widely recognizable Amanda Detmer (Saving Silverman, The Majestic, Big Fat Liar) who plays Sarah Parker, a local single parent. All mentioned supporting characters see the struggle Ed and Abby must endure to continue their paths in life. It's a hard task especially when Ed has a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream and Abby longs to grow with her father while experiencing life from a more female perspective. This vital family dynamic also affects Abby's education at school and Ed's baseball career.

The crew and filmmakers make good use of the characters' traits in the story by using parallels and subtle drama to emotionally connect with the audience. For example, a beginning sequence where Abby can't find a team partner mirrors a sequence involving Ed's initial return to baseball. Filmmakers also insert a great sequence, interlaced with Abby's ballet practices and Ed's baseball activities, that shows how they're progressing personally in their interests, but drifting further away as a family. Essential background about Abby's mother (Ed's wife) also supports the well structured main characters.

Filmmakers make a few editing mistakes including a sequence where Abby's lips don't move, but you can still hear her talking as a car drives away from a bus and another sequence where Ed comes home after an important night game and you can see daylight outside.

You eventually see the characters' progress and how Ed and Abby changed their family dynamic to fill both of their needs (the scene where Ed joins in a girls' discussion works especially well). Ed and Abby realize they "can't both be in the spotlight" as Ed tries to understand Abby's feminine needs and Abby realizes the importance of their family baseball rituals like having an indoor carpet picnic while watching a major league baseball game. Baseball not only provides entertainment in this movie, it also represents a family tradition full of deep memories and background that helps anchor this family, especially apparent in the final sequence where Abby again plays pee wee baseball.

A very satisfying family movie filled of decent content and many acts of love, kindness and genuine care. This Toledo, Ohio-born reviewer also enjoyed the numerous references to the local minor league baseball team, the MudHens. Many of the baseball scenes were filmed at the actual locations due to producer Greg Dunigan's collaboration with Columbus Clippers general manager Ken Schnake. This 95 minute expansion of Harshbarger's original 14 minute short comes recommended and is rated PG for two minor expletives. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The BEST!
Speed is my favorite Sandra Bullock movie. She is just...phenominal in it. And Keanu Reeves...what a hunk!!
The way they put this film together was great: the stunts, the action, the suspense and thrill of it all! Jan DeBont needs to get back together with Sandra to do another action movie. That would be cool!! I CANNOT think of another movie that is better that Speed! It's definitely #1 on my list.

Depends on which one you want!
Let's face it, Speed(5 stars) is a wonderful Action movie, problably the best Action movie of the year, but Speed 2(3 stars) doesn't live up to the original as well as I thought it would. The movie would be so much better if Keanu Reeves reprised his role as Jack Traven. Dennis Hopper was a great villian in the original.

Best Action of the 90's.
Despite what some may say, these two films offer an endless supply of edge-of-your-seat action, some of the most amazing stunts, and very good special effects. THE ACTION FILMS OF THE 90's!

What is it with the people?
Ok, let me guess ... You saw Speed and thought it was a great movie? Or at least you heard it was great movie. Well, it is - bet ya! And now you heard people talking - Speed 2 is a terrible movie, the winner of the golden raspberry (the worst movie of the year). So, why buy it, especially when it is a set?

Ok, let me set it straight. Speed 2 isn't a bad movie - it just isn't as good as Speed 1. The story of Speed 2 is dumb (as in every other action movie - take Eraser, or M:I-2), but it makes a nice background for the action and nobody ever goes to see an action-flick for the story. And if we are honest than even Speed 1 didn't have that much of a great story - it isn't so much better than the stroy of the second movie.

What counts is action, and you get plenty of it here. It's the same class of action as in Speed, with a different playground. You get even the cute Sandra Bullock and a cute Jason Patrick (instead of Keanu Reeves). In addition you get a little bit of romance, 'cause the character of Jason Patrick wants to marry the character of Sandra Bullock ...

Ok, so, are missing anything for an action movie? I am not! Just 'cause Speed was such a surprise and a overaverage action-flick, was everybody expecting the same from Speed 2 ... And it was impossible to fulfill, or at least it didn't work out. So in this packet, we have a great action movies on DVD (Speed = 5 stars) and an average action movie (Speed 2 = 4 stars). And 'cause it's just the two normal DVDs you can buy separately in one box, the rating is 4 stars! Buy it, if you love Sandra Bullock/Jason Patrick and if you love good action!!! ... Read more