Stepfather II: Make Room For Daddy
by Jeff Burr
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DVD details
Actor: Caroline Williams, Jonathan Brandis, Meg Foster, Terry O'QuinnDirector: Jeff Burr
Brand: RYKODISC
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 88 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-09-29
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Model: 303094
Studio: Synapse Films
Product features:
- STEPFATHER 2 (DVD MOVIE)
DVD Reviews of Stepfather II: Make Room For Daddy
DVD Review: Pretty good, but it still has the number two next to its title.
Summary: 3 Stars
Ah, the only thing good to come out of Hollywood regurgitating, er, I mean remaking old horror films is that it gives who ever owns the rights to the original a money incentive to release special editions of the originals, for the first time ever in regard to the first Stepfather. Here we have an unlikely sequel in Stepfather II. Unlikely because the original, while being extremely well received critically, came and went at the box office. Once on video the original started gaing steam and became a hit similarly to the original Austin Powers. So, about two years later a direct to video sequel was planned and Terry O'Quinn was courted to reprise his very complex role. They eventually got him and a sequel was made.
Firstly, this is a pretty good film as far as sequels go. Of course, it requires huge leaps of faith right from the top. At the end of the original Stepfather Terry O'Quinn's character was definitively DEAD. No, not wounded, no not take off to prison, but totally and absolutely D-E-A-D. This sequel makes the wise diecision to just start with The Stepfather in mental institution with some knife wounds. No big explanation of how he survived, but there he is and he has. Much better then some convoluted soap opera explanation ala Halloween: Resurrection. Then the plot moves into familar territory in the Stepfather escaping and resuming his old tricks, the persuit of the perfect family, under the guise of a marital therapist. He courts Meg Foster(a stunning beauty whose exotic pale blue eyes limited her from getting more meaty parts). When Meg Foster's character's ex shows back up, well....well, if you've seen the original Stepfather you know the rest.
Getting O'Quinn back in the title role is the main reason to see this sequel. The sequel plays up the black humor elements from the first regarding O'Quinn's Reagan era inspired perfect family ideal, and closed off-ness to sexuality of any sort. In this film when he is invited to be for some carnal knowledge he treats it more like a chore, job or duty rather then an act of passion. Hmmm, sounds like a typical conservative type.LOL. Meg Foster is the woman in question and she is a very sturdy foil for O'Quinn to play off of. She comes off interesting and understandable without seeming too much like an idiot, not noticing her finace' weird behavior. Caroline Williams(Texas Chainsaw Massacre II) plays the obligatory best friend, who also conveniently happens to be a mail carrier. Jonathan Brandis plays Meg Foster's son in one of the young actor's earlier roles. They're all solid and lend a level of realism that a sequel of this nature desperately needs.
The problem with this sequel, beyond the fact that it's a sequel, comes in the form of the ending. The ending is very hurried and doesn't quite live up to the build up the first two thirds of the film promises. Sure, you get some great blood battered bride imagery, but that's about it. Joseph Ruben did a much better job of miling the suspense and thrills from his rote finale to the original Stepfather. Plus, once you've seen the first film, you know the routine and in this film, though they do throw in some nice twists(the blind neighbor is quite inventive and hysterical), we've been here and done this before. O'Quinn creates such a compelling character that he keeps you in the game if the plot doesn't. Plus, it's hard to simply just except The Stepfather being alive at the top of the film. For a few minutes the contrivance reminds you naggingly so that the first film was a masterpiece of the genre. Once O'Quinn gets rolling with his character it helps ease the pain that comes with sequel-itis, but it may not work the same way for all.
Director Jeff Burr(Leatherface:Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, Pumpkinhead II) keeps things stylish and similar to a Dario Argento film from the late 70's. I've listened to two commentary tracks from Jeff Burr, and he provides one for the new special edition of Stepfather II, and this one has a Leatherface tinge to it. Burr seemed to have been one of the few innocent souls working in Hollywood in the eighties. He talks, like in the case of Leatherface, about studio interference, and how some other director came in and added some slight gore scenes to his final cut. A great anecdote on the commentary is how Burr sent a VHS copy of his first cut of Stepfather II to reknowned critic Pauline Kael to see, so she wouldn't judge the film based on the final product. He says she wrote back, but doesn't go into detail on what was in the letter. This commentary track is the same one that was on the Mirmax DVD released back in 2003, as is the alternate scenes(which showcase Burr's original and far more subtle take on the suspense scenes), but comes with a brand spanking new thirty minute retro doc interviewing Burr, the producers, editor, and screenwriter. It was interesting to find out that this film actually did have a theatrical release. The producers were so anamored with the final product that they put up the dough to put it in some theaters. Then, they went as far as to make the third Stepfather film sands Terry O'Quinn(actually saw the third one first when I was twelve, it's not too good---mostly due to the lack of Terry O'Quinn).
I got this DVD really cheap used. I'm not a huge fan of this sequel, but I love Terry O'Quinn's returning performance, and Burr's stylish direction, but most of all I like the black comedy that is further mined from the material. It's not campy black comedy, it doesn't take you out of the suspense, but it's more abundant in this sequel. It's worth checking out, at least renting. I'd rather sit through this sequel then ever see the remake.
Description of Stepfather II: Make Room For Daddy
Studio: Wea-des Moines Video Release Date: 09/29/2009 Run time: 88 minutesBestsellers in DVD
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