Post by StevePulaski on Jan 16, 2011 23:48:56 GMT -5
Feldman and Lively visit Haim in prison in Dream a Little Dream 2.
Rating: ★★
I wish there was some way, somehow, I could write a positive review for this film. But the lack of effort, minimal pros, and the unnecessary sequel vibe it brings tell me there is no way to do so without lying. Dream a Little Dream didn't need a sequel. It really didn't need an original. It was just a mediocre, undeveloped teen comedy using an already tiresome, lackluster plot people were clearly tired of. Not to mention trying to disguise it's plot in the trailers and television ads that were aired in 1989.
Unlike the original film being released in theaters, DALD 2 was released direct-to-Dvd in 1995. It followed the original by six years, and the nineties was definitely a rough year for the Coreys. The first Corey film to release in the nineties was Blown Away. It was direct-to-video as well, and it was the point in time when quality of their films were degrading with every film. After Blown Away, the so-so National Lampoon's Last Resort tried to resurrect the Coreys, but failed as well. Then came this, followed by the final nail in the long buried coffin Busted which was a horrible, dreadful parody film.
I assume the only reason Dream a Little Dream 2 was even suggested was to try and save the Coreys already dying career after Blown Away and Last Resort fail to do a thing. But this didn't have a mainstream release, like I said. Also, there was very little publicity circling this film in any way. So fans of the original likely didn't hear about this for a while. Maybe a sign?
Basically, characters Bobby and Dinger (Feldman and Haim) return a few years after the dream incident and now have come in contact with a strange species of sunglasses owned by the late Coleman of the first film. The sunglasses, when put on, can one person manipulate the other into doing what the other person wants. Of course these species of sunglasses are very valuable. These other unknown criminals that both Bobby and Dinger see in their dreams conviently want to make a serious profit off these sunglasses.
And the rest is mindless action/comedy cliche that runs like a nonstop record player. The whole movie is just off it's own medicine. Thats not to say there aren't some amusing moments in this film. Feldman and Lively's chase scene throughout the hotel is very entertaining, and it's the best thing this movie has to offer.
Like most CH/CF movies, they feature Feldman more than Haim. The Haimster got the majority of the screen in License to Drive, but films like Busted, Dream a Little Dream, this, and The Lost Boys featured Feldman has the lead star. In this film, Haim spends 90% of the time locked up in prison for a crime he didn't do. I guess he was short handed during this film, or just wasn't on board for most of the time.
Dream a Little Dream 2 doesn't fix many flaws found in the original. It's still anything but self explanatory, and seems to run dry of material half way through. The chase scene is extended very much so, and could it's one of those films I find myself talking to the screen telling the characters, who can't hear me, what they should/should've done. But screwing around with this film isn't worth it. It's a mediocre and unecessary sequel. Not even to the level of "so bad it's good". It's so bad, it's just bad.
Starring: Corey Feldman, Corey Haim, Robyn Lively, and Stacie Randall. Directed by: James Lemmo.