Problem Child 2

"Problem Child" from 1990 is a film I loved as a child but don't like as an adult. It's sequel a year later is one that still remains in the pile of films I still like that I know are not truly good. Don't we all have those?

Let's recap the first film: Ben Healy (John Ritter) and his wife adopt troublemaker, Junior (Michael Olivier) and Ben is the only one to show the kid the love and affection that he had been longing for. With unlikeable characters (except for the caring John Ritter) and just a couple of funny scenes, the movie was a miss.

One year later, Ben, now a single parent, moves with Junior across the country to start a new life together. The place Ben decides to move to is Mortville-the divorce capital of the world. When they arrive, Ben tries to start his own business and get married. But Junior would much rather it be just him and his dad alone, especially when a broke Big Ben moves in.

Ben's answer to a wife seems to be cruel millionaire, Lawanda. Having been married six times prior, she is immediately taken into Ben's looks and charm. Junior hates her for good reason. He still pulls pranks for fun every now and again, but he must be his bad self to keep this bad woman away.

Junior crosses paths with little girl named Trixie who is younger, smaller, but way more vicious than Junior ever was. She's hilarious. He doesn't know that Trixie is the daughter of the timid school nurse. Amy Yasbeck also plays the nurse named Annie who is much better suited for Ben than Lawanda.

The pranks that Junior plays are funnier. The rivalry between Junior and Trixie is great, and there are simply more things in this to like in general. Let's not forget Gilbert Gottfried, who returns as Junior's principal. He is even funnier in this than he was in the first.

With some things being unclear and some of the humour being too silly and lowbrow, this will never be put at the same level of "City Slickers" and "The Naked Gun 2 1/2" which were the top comedies of 1991, but this still isn't that bad. There is enough charm and hilarity for most to like...only if you grew up with this.

Note: I will not be reviewing "Problem Child 3" because that would mean for me to rewatch it and that is something I vow never to do.

3/4.