Kindergarten Cop 2

'KINDERGARTEN COP 2': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A sequel to the 1990 hit action-comedy flick 'KINDERGARTEN COP' (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and directed by Ivan Reitman). This followup is more of a remake, than a sequel, and it stars Dolph Lundgren, as a new character (an FBI agent named Agent Reed). The film was directed by Don Michael Paul (who also helmed such other B- movies as 'HALF PAST DEAD', 'LAKE PLACID: THE FINAL CHAPTER', 'JARHEAD 2: FIELD OF FIRE' and 'TREMORS 5: BLOODLINES') and it was written by David H. Steinberg (who also wrote other B-comedy flicks, like 'SLACKERS' and 'AMERICAN PIE PRESENTS BOOK OF LOVE'). The movie costars Bill Bellamy, Darla Taylor, Fiona Vroom and Aleks Paunovic. The film is severely disappointing, if you're a fan of the original (or good movies in general).

Agent Reed (Lundgren) is a very conservative, and dedicated (but slightly crazy), FBI agent. Agent Sanders (Bellamy) is his more rational, and by the book, partner. The two must infiltrate a kindergarten class, on a new assignment, in order to find an important flash drive. Due to the fact that the students there already know who Sanders is, from previously being interviewed by him, Reed must pose as a kindergarten teacher. The modern, and very politically correct, school environment presents a huge challenge for Reed (and his old school ways).

The film is adequately directed (for what it is), and decently acted, but it's not funny. The jokes are painful to watch at times, and the whole movie just seems pointless. Maybe the original film would feel the same way, if I actually went back and watched it again, but I did love it when I was a kid. Lundgren is at least likable in the lead; although not nearly as much so, as Schwarzenegger was.

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STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Morning *** Friday Night ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

When a teacher is killed after stumbling upon sensitive information, FBI Agent Reed (Dolph Lundgren) is assigned to go undercover in a liberal, PC modern kindergarten, where his 'no pain no gain' philosophy makes him a far from ideal candidate for the role. Gradually, he forms a bond with the kids and pretty young teacher Olivia (Darla Taylor) and liaises with his partner Sanders (Bill Bellamy), but all the while, Zogu (Aleks Paunovic), the villainous Russian mobster behind the murder, lurks about.

It's never too late to make a sequel these days, even to a more modern audience who may not even have heard of the original. Or even if it happens to be some bizarrely low budget, straight to DVD Dolph Lundgren vehicle. This is a weird, unexplainable piece of work at best, but maybe most so for Dolph. Things were looking on the up for him recently, with the well received Skin Trade signalling a return to the sort of slam bang, unpretentious entertainment he was known for. You're left to wonder what his motives for making this were: trying to show a lighter, fuzzier side to his repertoire, even if it's all little heard of, straight to DVD fodder?

The original was one of two films Arnold Schwarzenegger made to try and show a lighter version of himself, and it's been confirmed he's appearing in a sequel himself to the other one of those films, so you're left to wonder if he thought the follow up to this had lesser box office potential. Even so, many will feel he brought something to the original role that couldn't be recreated by anyone else, and it's true Dolph doesn't feel at home as much here, lacking Arnie's madcap spirit in the first film. He's joined by Paunovic's typical Russian villain, Bellamy's stereotypical black partner and Taylor as a worryingly younger love interest.

This is just an all round beguiling project. How did it come up? Who thought it would be a good idea? What was anyone trying to achieve with it? Why did it get made? *

What to expect from a sequel like this? I think it reached the highest goal it could. It's a paycheck for all involved. Dolph can have some fun (the kids too of course), if you lower your expectations to very very low, you may be able to enjoy this to a degree too. It is what it is and even if some had a lot of fun with the original (which was filmed/released a long time ago), I doubt many were yearning for a sequel.

But that's how things work and if a title sounds familiar, investors are there and some people will watch it (guilty as charged, but I do watch almost anything as you can tell by my list of reviews ;o) ). So while I've seen worse (obviously), this is by the numbers ... You do the math (yes pun intended)

"They're children. I can handle this." Agents Reed (Lundgren) and Sanders (Bellamy) are trying to find a stolen list of names. When the owner winds up dead they only have one lead, he was a teacher. With no other option Agent Reed goes under cover as a teacher in the school in hopes to find the list before more people wind up dead. The original is a borderline classic and is still funny and enjoyable to watch today. It was strange at first to see Schwarzenegger in a comedic role but his timing was great and it really worked. That's one thing this was lacking. This is really Lundgren's first real acting role, and he comes off as stiff and forced. The comic relief is left to Bill Bellamy and the supporting cast. The movie is watchable and entertaining enough but does nothing to add to the original and is a straight to video movie that should have been second guessed. Overall, watchable and entertaining but is nowhere close to being as good as the original. Another sequel that leaves you asking why this was made. I give it a C.

The first Kindergarten Cop film was what we would call today a classic. It had a great story line, which plot was certainly a true reflection on what the characters showed would be what some of us would experience in real life. It was funny and had the appropriate amount of drama and serious scenes that put you on the edge of your seat. Everyone in this film (Schwarzenegger, Penelope Ann Miller, Richard Tyson, Pamela Reed, Linda Hunt, Carroll Baker) did a phenomenal job, as well as the kids!

This sequel, unfortunately, is a joke. I tried finishing it, but I just couldn't because it was too painful. It was a serious poor attempt to entertain the audience. It lacked almost everything the first film delivered. The only thing that kept this movie from being rated a 1 out of 10 was the kids; that. was. it!

Also... how does the sequel get special features (iTunes Extras) on iTunes but the original doesn't??