Genres

Visitors Review

Kevin 2012-05-26 07:16:00

pointless

You know what? This sequel was pointless but it turned out better that Ithought it would. Terry O'Quinn is back and the rest of the cast isdifferent. This sequel was actually thought up with no imagination, but itworked out well. I admit one thing, O'Quinn's performance was just as greatin the original, and the rest of the cast was better than theoriginal.

Prolox 2012-05-25 11:31:55

A fun sequel

Sequel to the original film, ditches the straight forward,horror/suspense thriller tones & instead goes for a straight outslasher film mentality, with equal doses of humour that unfortunatelydoes not quiet match the original film, but remains a fun time eitherway. This time, The Stepfather escapes the loony bin & takes up the jobof a psychiatrist (with a name he lifted from the very psychiatrist hekilled while in the mental hospital). From there, he heads into a smalltown & eventually finds what he thinks might be a potentially new loveinterest & family in a real estate divorcée & her teenage son. But whena snoopy mail lady & friend to the heroine begins checking up on hispast & her ex-husband comes back to try & rekindle their relationship,it sets Gene (The Stepfather) off on a new brutal murdering spree as heis more determined than ever to have the perfect family. Like mostsequels, STEPFATHER 2 fails to live up to it's predecessor, anunnecessary sequel, that fortunately at least takes a differentdirection by going the horror comedy route (a very popular combinationat the time) as a result, the film tends to be bloodier than last time& a lot of the situations are often played for chuckles. Mainly thecomedy comes from the neighbour hood itself, which is always so bright,picture perfect & very cheerful, with even the rainy days given acertain amount of cheerfulness. TERRY O' QUINN put in another (And hislast) great performance as the Ward Cleaver like stepfather from hell &I really enjoyed watching him here. Director JEFF BURR, who has quiet afew genre films under his belt, directs fairly well here & the actingis better than most films in the genre. The film as already mentionedplays more on it's slasher movie aspects than suspense, though thereare a good number of scenes still that keep you on the edge of you'reseat, most notably the climax, set at the wedding, where Gene's darkpast is finally revealed, resulting in what has to be one of the mostviolent wedding days, ever put on film. Still it's worth a look forfans of the suspense/horror genre. Followed by STEPFATHER 3: FATHER'SDAY *** stars

2012-05-18 11:34:51

Love that Campdown Races!

Isn't about time they gave us a series of films about a malevolent stepfather? You just knew this would happen eventually what with the bad reputation stepfathers have in American culture. We all know they are evil beings with warped minds, human vultures with deranged value systems that seek out innocent families to prey upon. Now that I think about it, I heartily salute the filmmakers associated with the "Stepfather" trilogy for bringing this massive threat to wider attention. Certain individuals have formed a conspiracy to throw us off the trail by making movies about machete wielding killers wearing hockey and Halloween masks, but now that we have these films, we know the truth. Evil is more insidious than a massacre at a summer camp, more pervasive than a razorblade clawed monstrosity haunting our dreams. Wickedness, true wickedness, reaches out to us in the form of a middle aged white guy who wears cardigan sweaters while offering to play catch with us in the backyard. After watching this film, along with the two other entries in the franchise, I feel it is essential to alert the unwary to this horrific hazard. Run, don't walk, to pick up a copy of "Stepfather 2."Terry O'Quinn returns as the enigmatic Stepfather in a sequel that continues the nightmares seen in the first installment. Locked safely away in a mental hospital at the beginning of the film, the Stepfather longs for the day when he can once again walk the streets of suburbia with his own idyllic family. First, he must escape from the facility, not an easy task considering how much the guards hate and fear him. Fortunately, a new psychiatrist decides to try a different tack with the Stepfather. By giving the inmate new freedoms and a sympathetic ear, this fool hopes to rehabilitate the sociopath. Oops. Of course, the Stepfather escapes after concocting an ingenious plan realized in part in the facility's woodworking shop and actualized in the shrink's office. As bodies fall to the floor in various states of permanent disarray, our anti-hero strolls off the grounds of the hospital as nice as you please. It isn't long before he's back to his old tricks, sitting in a hotel room sifting through advertisements and video dating tapes in search of a new bride who will give him everything he's ever dreamed of in life.Enter Carol Grayland (Meg Foster) and her son Todd (Jonathan Brandis), a mother and child recovering from their recent separation/divorce from an overbearing father. When the Stepfather moves in across the street posing as a sensitive counselor named Gene (replete with notepad, pen, and the requisite sweaters), Carol discovers she's attracted to the guy. The clincher comes when she accidentally stumbles on Gene playing friendly authority figure to Todd. Despite a few warnings about the counselor from a nosy postal employee friend, Carol charges ahead with plans to marry Gene. Serious warning signs, like the sudden disappearance of her ex-husband and the terrible suicide of her postal employee pal, fail to register on Grayland's radar. And why should it? Certainly Gene wouldn't have anything to do with such unseemly incidents. Alas, disturbing evidence to the contrary finally emerges immediately before the two love birds exchange vows. A wedding has never been such a bloody affair as the union between Gene and Carol Grayland. And once again, if only fleetingly, the Stepfather's plans for the domination of the American family unit is once again foiled. Or is it? The existence of another sequel seems to say no. Sadly, Terry O'Quinn fails to return in that movie.All kidding aside, "Stepfather 2" is a very effective horror film. It is rare to see so many elements click in a film in this genre. The performances are much better than you would expect, with Terry O'Quinn leading the way as the oily killer. His portrayal of a sociopath with a one-track mind is chilling to behold. One minute he's the caring suitor to Carol and the benevolent father figure to Todd, but look out when things don't go his way. Only a few people survive one of the Stepfather's killing rages. O'Quinn plays it all with ease, conveying a complex range of emotions with subtle facial gestures. Equally effective is the always awesome Meg Foster as Carol Grayland. You've seen Foster in several other films, "They Live" serving as a prime example, so you know she's the gal with the amazing eyes. I never tire of watching this actress in a movie, so her addition to the cast was a good one. Even Jonathan Brandis does an acceptable job as the surprisingly nonirritating Todd. Set these good actors up with a surprisingly engaging plot and sauce heavy murders and you have all the fixings for a great film experience. The DVD has several surprising extras. You would think a sequel, probably a straight to video sequel at that, would be a bare bones production. Think again. You get a commentary track from the director and the producer, extensive alternate scenes, stills, and several trailers for other films like "Dracula II," "Below," "Asunder," and "Halloween: Resurrection." It's been a few years since I saw the first "Stepfather" film, but if memory serves me correctly I would have to say that this sequel is as effective, if not more so, than the original. Still, I am looking forward to the day when they release the first and third movies on DVD.

The_Void 2012-05-18 05:17:39

Surprisingly good sequel!

Well, I have to say that this film was nowhere near as bad as I thoughtit was going to be. The original Stepfather was a good little thrillerthat worked thanks to the way it handled its unoriginal plot line withintrigue and panache. This sequel attempts to build on that by givingus a pretty similar storyline complete with the star of the show TerryO'Quinn doing his thing once again as the obsessive 'stepfather'. Thefilm picks up pretty much where the last one left off. The Stepfatherhas been committed to an insane asylum after his brawl with the familyin the last film. He doesn't want to stay there, however, and so makesan all too easy escape and quickly sets himself up with a new identityin a new town. Despite being a nutter, he has lost none of his charm asit's not long before he meets a woman, with a son, who likes him. Thetwo decide to get married, but it's never plain sailing for this guyand unfortunately for him, several of the local people don't want himto get married! The Stepfather doesn't take too kindly to that, andbegins getting rid of everyone who is in his way...The film is directed by Jeff Burr, who made the decent anthology 'Froma Whisper to a Scream', as well as a few crappy sequels to films likeTexas Chainsaw Massacre, Puppet Master and Pumpkinhead. Obviously thisfilm was going to be on the back foot from the beginning as the firstfilm didn't really need a sequel, but even with that in mind, Jeff Burrreally has done a pretty good job as the film is fun to watchthroughout and offers good entertainment in the same way that the firstfilm did. The only standout performance comes from the leading manTerry O'Quinn, who isn't as frightening as he was in the first film;but still gets away with looking menacing enough to be convincing. Thestory does feel like it took someone a few minutes to stick together,and it's obviously just an excuse for the Stepfather to go on anotherrampage - but I can't complain too much about that as I didn't expectanything else going into this film. It all boils down a satisfyingconclusion, and while I won't say too many good things about this film;it's decent enough to warrant a viewing from anyone who enjoyed theoriginal...and that's more than I can say for a lot of sequels!

2012-05-05 07:34:10

Terry Sells Film Once Again

This review is from: Stepfather II (DVD Special Edition) (DVD) Another stellar performance from O'Quinn as well as a clever script overshadows a rather inferior supporting cast compared to the first film. It might not have the same appeal as the first film, but it was a treat to hear the stepfather whistle again. I recomend it to anybody who's a fan of The Stepfather and Terry O'Quinn.

2012-05-05 01:23:04

Not as good as the original; just okay

Again, it is O'Quinn who shines the brightest as the stepfather, who managed to survive long enough to break out of a facility and go out into the world again, seeking a new identity and a new family to take over. It seems to take an awfully long time to do this, however, which makes the movie a bit of a slog and not nearly as suspenseful as the original. There is a great, funny/creepy scene in the wedding chapel which I will not spoil.

2012-04-26 18:47:30

Good, but I'd rather see the first

Pretty scary, if you like this movie you'd love "The Shining"

Rainbow2003 2012-04-26 06:46:21

Do you want to marry me?

Jonathan Brandis is terrific as Todd in this charming horror film. Thesupporting cast is brilliant. The costumes are nice. One of the good filmsin the genre, Stepfather 2: Make Room For Daddy will become a father ofterror to the viewer. 7 out of 10.

2012-04-20 00:32:42

Where is Stepfather 1???

This sequel is horrible. The first Stepfather movie is soooo good and original and NOT on dvd??? Why would they release part two on dvd and not the original? Don't bother with this one, search out the first on video, it is so superior. Terry O'Quinn and Shelly Hack plus good story. Not this one. It gets one star just because I like Terry O'Quinn, now on TV's LOST.

2012-04-19 14:07:06

INFERIOR IN EVERY WAY TO THE ORIGINAL!

I've always enjoyed the 80's horror film known as The Stepfather, it had wit, charm and suspense with a couple of splashes of blood and gore. This sequel seems to lose sight of what made the first film so likable and aside from O'Quinn giving a decent performance this film offers little else. It's a watered down version of the first film with no where near the wit, charm, suspense or gore, so why bother? Unless you want to see Stepfather III....Oh brother! ;-b

2012-04-18 23:25:14

DON'T UPSET DADDY!

I know that I am amongst the minority here, but I actually enjoyed this as much, if not more, than the first Stepfather movie. Although it is less suspenseful, it compensates by offering more in the way of horror. I think it is a complintary sequel to the Stepfather and together they make a great set. Terry O'Quinn gives a great performance as the deranged pshyco who is in search of the "perfect" family, and although the supporting casts' performance isn't quite as impressive its not completely awful either. Horror and thriller/suspense fans will both enjoy this movie. Adopt it now!

2012-04-18 09:12:16

better than Part 1

Part 2 was a little better than Part 1. Part 2 had more of a charm and B movie feel but in a good way. Part 2 came out in theatres. Part 3 was just as good. But Part 3 was only direct to video and had the blond chick who plays the nurse in Three's Company tv show.

2012-04-12 20:13:24

stepfather III

The item arrived in the condition promised and it was great to finally be able to complete my library.

DisgorgedMenstrualSludge 2012-04-12 05:09:37

Not a terrible sequel thanks to O'Quinn's return...

To say "The Stepfather 2" is a needless sequel would be redundant sincemost sequels that proceed a movie with a completely UNopen ending are"needless" as well as MANY other more 'compliant' sequels... Thisfollow-up wasn't BAD, mainly because Terry O'Quinn reprises his role.Having survived the barrage of falls and stabbings in the previousfilm, Jerry is now serving time in a high security mental healthfacility from which he methodically escapes. Naturally, it's time forhim to begin a new life. He leases a house, steals the identity of apsychiatrist and becomes engaged to the woman next door... Like before,people become 'wise' and threaten to step in his way of maintaining theperfect family unit, so he must dispose of them... Hence that stupidtag-line "Make Room For Daddy!".Really, "The Stepfather 2" runs the same course as the original, yethis breakdown is not particularly as eminent as it seemed before. Ofcourse, we know what he is capable of and what is going to happen,though it still makes for an entertaining watch. The third installment,however, is one atrocious piece of bile if I remember correctly. TerryO'Quinn rules in these so if you liked the first "Stepfather" than youmight as well check out Part 2. If you want "pointless", watch thathorrible remake...

2012-04-12 05:01:37

AWFUL!!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS TAPE!

This movie lacks the suspense and terror needed to make a movie. The sequel to The Stepfather sucks. The acting is lousy, the movie is predictable and it lacks originality. They could have done a few things different but except for new characters the plot where the crazy man kills all the people who are close to the woman he is about to marry is the same. Follow the advice above and DONT BUY THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!

lastliberal 2012-04-11 17:49:18

You wouldn't hit me again, would you son?

I am sure Danny Thomas never thought that "Make Room for Daddy" wouldbe the tag line in a film like this.Terry O'Quinn (John Locke from "Lost") is a slasher/serial killer in amental hospital. He escapes, and tries to start a normal life.But, that old slasher brain can't handle stress, and his romance withMeg Foster ends badly for him.Not a whole lot of slasher action. Mostly just a small town romancestory with a slasher angle that plays in a few times.I really don't know how it could have been done differently, but itjust didn't have that sparkle.

Gotensive 2012-04-10 01:08:25

Decent Sequel

At first, in maybe the first hour or so, I thought this film as on parwith the original. But then the flaws started rolling in. Granted, thefirst film has flaws, but this one has far more. For one, TheStepfather should have changed his appearance better, as he lookedexactly as he did in the first film (someone could have recognized himfrom pictures on the news, or in the papers). Second off, what was withCarol's friend being so suspicious of The Stepfather? She had NO reasonto, yet she suspected him of being a fake. There was simply no reasonfor her to have those suspicions, as he did nothing to provoke thosesuspicions out of her. It was just thrown in there to replicate how thedaughter found out about him in the first film. It just was ridiculous.Other problems include nobody not finding the dead ex husband's body(eventually the guts of the body would have been seen), and the factthe wife somehow remembered some wine The Stepfather bought her a whileback. Also, how he killed that guy in the beginning in broad daylight.It was all just too forced & unbelievable. The original felt morerealistic in that sense. Any way, complaints aside, this film is prettyenjoyable, and O'Quinn gives an excellent performance yet again, butunlike it's predecessor, this film ends up being a routine slasher dueto a pretty weak script. I give it a 6/10.

2012-04-09 16:06:28

Terry Sells Film Once Again

This review is from: Stepfather II: Make Room For Daddy (DVD) Another stellar performance from O'Quinn as well as a clever script overshadows a rather inferior supporting cast compared to the first film. It might not have the same appeal as the first film, but it was a treat to hear the stepfather whistle again. I recomend it to anybody who's a fan of The Stepfather and Terry O'Quinn.

ethylester 2012-04-03 14:30:45

WORST MOVIE EVER

I don't know what these people are talking about, this has got to be theworst movie I have ever seen! Everything about it was stupid and bad.Firstof all, how can some random guy move into the suburbs and magically becomeevery lonely woman's favorite family counsellor? If it were that simple,don't you think people would do it all the time? It's not that easy to runapractice, especially out of your million dollar home, and especiallygettingall the neighborhood's women to come to your house every day.Second of all, this movie sucked because it was not the least bitimaginitive with the characters. They might as well have little Todd on abaseball team and running around with the wrong crowd then this new"daddy"teaches him how to hit a homerun and talks him out of doing drugs. Sostereotypical! I hate those father-son scenes where the kid is throwing abaseball wrong and some macho ladies man comes up and tells the kid how todo it perfectly, while the onlooking, overly-feminine mother drools alloverher homemade casserole and wipes skateboard marks off the tile floor withapink rag. It is so unoriginal, and seriously, this kind of thing is reallyoutdated.What woman would marry some guy she doesn't know anything about? And letmeget this straight, they are engaged to be married, and the night of theengagement party one of them suggests maybe they should make out with eachother?? And then the guy says he doesn't want to make out and the womanstill wants to marry him?!?!?! When does THAT happen?As far as stupid male sweaters and ugly dresses, this movie is the winner.And how can this guy get away with so much murder? The Cadillac guy, thebiological dad, the folks in the prison, what the heck? And what was withthe balding/non-balding idea? You don't grow all your hair back in twodaysafter you stop physically plucking it all out of your entire scalp. Itjustdoesn't work that way.Finally, how many people here have never heard the song "Campdown Races"?Maybe if you're 5 months old and deaf, but really, show me someone who hasnever heard that song. And then show me someone who hasn't heard it in along time and gets all excited because they're hearing an old song fromtheir childhood! That's like saying you've never heard Twinkle TwinkleLittle Star. And what does Campdown Races have to do with a guy thatmurderspeople because he wants a "perfect" family? That song is abouthorseracing!I don't get it.Perfect family - yuck. This should be a lesson that the "perfect" familyisnot one that lives in the suburbs, conforms to the stereotypical genderroles in every way and is primarily focused on being "perfect." And Mr.Serial Killer, what's wrong with women that use diaphrams? This movieBLOWS.

Katatonia 2012-04-02 23:17:13

Underrated psychological masterpiece

I actually enjoy Stepfather 2 more than the first Stepfather movie. Thehaunting theme does a lot for creating a truly sinister atmosphere. Rarelydoes a film score stick in my head, but this one does. And then there'sTerry O'Quinn who plays the character just right.You have to remember that this film was basically made in only 4 months.That's writing the script, casting, shooting, post production, etc. It wasmade for about 1 and a half million dollars and originally was supposed tobe a direct to video release. Some additional shots were added and changedwhen the studio decided it was going to run a theatrical release like thefirst Stepfather, and they needed a more violent "HorrorMovie".The new DVD release presents the film in it's original Widescreen format,and it's a very sharp Animorphic transfer. A great thing included on thedisc is that it has many alternate and extended scenes that were from theoriginal Director's cut. There is also a short still gallery, and a veryinteresting full-length commentary by the Director and Producer ofStepfather 2. The only thing missing is a theatrical trailer...albeit mostBuena Vista DVD's lack a trailer so it's no big surprisethere.If you like this film then you need this DVD, it easily blows away the oldVHS and Laserdisc editions. Now, if only they'd release the 1st Stepfathermovie on DVD!!!