Customer Reviews

Addams Family Values [VHS]

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In "Addams Family Values," the jokes are funnier, the story is much more enjoyable, and the characters are more developed and easy to follow. The original cast is back for another round of gags and comedy, while the writers and director Barry Sonnenfield have chosen to stick with a story that works with the gags and laughs instead of just providing an outlet for them. This is one of the rare sequels that surpasses the original; I loved this movie!

The movie begins with the arrival of baby Pubert, in a hilarious send-up of birth scenes with a twist: the mother-to-be enjoys the labor pains. From this point on, the movie goes into three different stories which lead into one another. One dives into the children reacting to the new baby, doing everything from dropping him from the roof to placing him under the guillotine. Their antics are relentless, which leads into the second story as Gomez and Morticia decide to hire a nanny, picking the good-natured Debbie Jilinsky to care for their infant son. Fester falls head over heels in love with the new nanny, who is actually a murderess out for his wealth and fortune.

Debbie's suspicions that Wednesday and Pugsley know too much leads into the third story, as she has them shipped off to summer camp, where the sun and cheery attitudes of the campers and counselors are enough to make even the audience cringe in fear. As Debbie carries out her devious plans, the children are put through the hells of the camp until they can take it no longer, rounding out the movie's comedic climax with laughs galore.

Like the previous film, the original cast remains intact, with the exception of Grandmother Addams. Raul Julia and Anjelica Houston reprise the roles of Gomez and Morticia, whose romance is put on a back burner from its vivacity in the first film, allowing most of the story to rest on the shoulders of Wednesday and Pugsley, once again played by Christina Ricci and Jimmy Workman. There is a lot more to their characters as they make their way through the treacheries of camp: Wednesday has matured into a much fuller character, while Pugsley remains childlike and naive. Fester, played by Christopher Lloyd, is shown as a hopeless romantic who honestly thinks his appearance has nothing to do with his inability to attain a female partner, while Debbie is played excellently by Joan Cusack, who knack for comedy and colorful phrases make her a uniquely comedic villain.

The contrasts abide within the story of Fester and Debbie and the trysts at summer camp. Fester's unconventional ways become trying for Debbie to live with; try as she might, she's still a "normal" human being. Wednesday and Pugsley's camp experience provides a sharp contrast: their refusal to take part in the events at camp bring the counselors, who are complete airheads that reminded me of the ditzy girls in high school, to the edge of losing it, but instead, they are forced into a place known as the Harmony Hut, where they are subjected to Disney films and Brady Bunch reruns.

In some ways, these contrasts could make the movie a social satire of sorts. The ways in which one character's lifestyle is compared to that of another are fascinating, and while the Addams are highly unconventional, the remaining characters from the real world are in no way considered normal. So the movie poses us that very question: "Who's to say what is normal?"

That said, let's move on to the story, which is highly better than that of the original movie. This one actually produces the gags, having the feel that the story was written before the laughs were. The original had the feel that all the laughs were tossed into the air and placed in random spots, which would work because the gags never seemed attached to any specific storyline. Here, the comedy comes from the story, and the two work together marvelously at producing side-splitting laughs and subtle humor.

I couldn't help but enjoy myself while watching this movie. It made me laugh like I haven't laughed in a long time, while also keeping the characters intact and convincing. Sonnenfield has done a terrific job in creating this sequel, which is definitely the better of the two films.

I'm not exaggerating when I say I saw this film in the theater at least a dozen times. It's that good!

If it was the job of the first film to introduce the characters, it is the job of ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES to put them in their worst possible positions. Providing those worst possible positions are: Morticia's new baby, complete with blond hair and shiny smile (grandmother predicts that such a charm may result in him becoming, horror of horror, the President); Fester's new gold-digging girlfriend Debbie; and Wednesday and Pugsley's trip to summer camp. My favorite part of this movie is when Wednesday is cast as Pocahontas in the camp's production of a Thanksgiving play: "You have taken the land that is rightfully ours," Wednesday confronts, in an impromtu ad lib delivered to the mortified surprise of the play's perky directors and the affluent audience. "And for all these reasons," Wednesday continues, "I have decided to scalp you. . . ." It really is Wednesday who steals this show with her ghoulish deadpan delivery, and it could be argued that this was Christina Ricci's breakout role. Who would have ever thought that little Wednesday would eclipse the entire gang?

ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES was released in the early '90s when talk of "family values," mostly ignited by Dan Quayle's condemnation of a fictitious sitcom character giving birth without being married, was all the rage. Talk of "family values" was everywhere in those days. Apparently, it would be the Addams's turn to show us what we should really value: individuality. For all their quirks, they seem to have an unconditional acceptance of each other, and most couples would be blessed to be as madly in love with each other as Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Angelica Huston) are.

The other night the first "Addams Family" film was on local television, and in watching it I was reminded of how much I liked the show, and the films made from it - but as much as I loved the first, "Addams Family Values" surpasses it.

The storylines here are fuller; none of that a Fester who isn't Fester is really Fester stuff that seemed too scripted. Here, the 3 ongoing plots are more naturally-born from there characters:

Morticia and Gomez (Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia, the most perfect casting seen in film in some time) have just had a new baby. Dealing with new parenthood is bad enough, but when your two older children are doing their best to do away with their new baby brother ... well, even though he's pretty capable of taking care of himself, Morticia and Gomez have their hands full;

Then there's Debbie, played BRILLIANTLY by the underrated Joan Cusack, who comes to help with the children but instead is a notorious Black Widow-style murderess bent on marrying Fester and getting her hands on the Addams's fortune. Part of her plan in doing so is to get rid of the two older children, Pugsley and Wednesday, by sending them to a summer camp;

Pugsley and Wednesday are horrified by the cheery atmosphere at camp -- not to mention the caffeinated perkiness of the camp counselors, who are at times both revolted and ticked off by the 'weirdness' of the Addams kids.

All plotlines come together in a hilarious ending that remains true to the characters, and seems to come naturally from the story.

Christina Ricci (another of Hollywood's great underrated performers), as Wednesday Addams, again steals every scene she's in with ease -- her deadpan playing of Wednesday could not be more perfect. Watch for the segment where Wednesday and Pugsley perform their little scene from a play at camp; you'll wet your pants laughing! Joan Cusack is, again, brilliant in her portrayal of Debbie, the killer with a heart of stone.

In fact, the whole cast works perfectly together for this superior sequel, with enough one-liners and sight gags and twisted humor to keep you laughing from beginning to end. I didn't own either movie on DVD when I saw the first one on tv the other night (though had seen them both in theaters), but have since bought both ... though got this one first. So gather with your shawl on, find a roost that you can crawl on, and catch this great comedy -- a must-see for anyone in need of some good belly laughs!

I actually liked this movie better then the first one, simply because Christina Ricci's portrayal of Wednesday went from wonderful to brilliant. Slightly older, Ricci further developed her character and projected pure evil. I thought she "stole the show".

In addition, I liked the actress who portrayed "Grandmama" better then the previous one. Like Wednesday, she turned up the "evil meter". She just seemed to fit in better.

Addams Family Values has to be watched a number of times to catch all the funny little phrases and one liners. Brilliant writing combines with great characterizations to produce a movie to delight those who love dark humor.

Payback time at the camp was simply delicious. As a child, I would have found a lot in common with Wednesday's attitude towards the whole camping experience, with its fake facade of peace, love and all that BS. It brought back a lot of my own feelings as a youngster who was a bit out of the ordinary and often mocked because of it. Go Wednesday!

Usually sequels fall short of the original, but this one, IMO, went beyond the first film for comedy and originality. No fan of the Addams family, and especially Wednesday, should miss adding this gem to his/her DVD collection.

And I wish to add a big postumous thank you to Charles Addams himself, whose dark sense of humor and brilliant artwork produced this deliciously gothic family in the first place. I'm sure he would be pleased as punch at these fine portrayals of his ghoulish creations.

As A large fan of the original TV series. I feel I can say this film is worthy. Alas without Raul Julia there can not be a third. He was a wonderful Gomez. [I still deny the existance of Roger Moore as 007 too BTW] Angelica Huston was a perfect Morticia too. The tango scene was to die for. [Daryl Hanna ? WHAT THE HELL WERE THEY THINKING !] Chris Lloyd was a great Fester. Pugsly was Pugsly what can you say ? Same for Lurch and Thing. Joan Cusak was perfect. Hmmmm ? Who else ? KIDDING ! Christina Ricci ! O Yessss ! an absolute delight. Totally Wednesday. If she wasn't such a total babe I would regret she had to grow up. Delightful evil child. Just wonderfly cast, written, acted and directed.

I have always liked this movie. The actors look and act so much like the original stars of the TV show. I highly recommend this movie for great family entertainment!

This movie was exelent. It all starts with "Gomez, wonderful news. I'm going to have a baby-right now!" Well, that leads to a baby; a baby sitter-who wants to marry Fester and steal his money. Thats not to mention she's planning to kill the entire family in the prosess. Wach this movie; but wach the first one too.
- An Anjelica Huston Fan

After the Addams family settles down with Fester (Christopher Lloyd) back in the clan, Morticia (Anjelica Huston) and Gomez (Raul Julia) find out they're expecting. After the baby arrives, Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) try to kill the baby leaving Morticia and Gomez with no other choice but to find a nanny (Joan Cusack). But the nanny has bigger plans for Fester, which include Wednesday and Pugsley going to summer camp to get them out of the way.

With a movie originally planned to be directed by Tim Burton, Barry Sonnenfeld did a surprisingly amazing job. No one actually expected it to do as well as it did, but it did so well that it warranted a sequel. While The Addams Family always looked good on paper in it's original Charles Addams conjecture, making a movie out of it with a first, third, and second act was not easy to do. Making a sequel to it would be even harder than making an original movie from the comic strip come TV series. So how did they do at making a sequel to the original Addams Family movie?

On the plus side most of the original players are back to have a little fun with the Addams Family name. While I thoroughly enjoyed Grandmama (Judith Malina) from the first movie, in the second movie Taxi vet Carol Kane takes her place taking the role in a much more comedic direction than just a dark direction. On top of that, Raul Julia does an amazing job reprising his role as Gomez for the sequel, in what will become his last great major screen role (I, as well as many others, are trying to forget Street Fighter when I say this). All in all, Addams Family Values carries a bit more of a comedic tone than a darkly comedic tone this time around than the first installment.

Christina Ricci really rules the roost this time around. While the first film was mainly about Fester and his journey to redemption (in a very Addams way), but this time it's more about Wednesday surviving something of a summer boot camp. Most of the players this time around are really just incidental, including Joan Cusack (who does do an amazing job as Fester's finace with much bigger intentions), Peter MacNicol, and Christine Baranski. Ricci, for a young, and inexperienced actress for the most part, does a great job of showing up the adults and playing a character that appears to go from dark to sweet and back again.

More so than it's predecessor, I seriously have to say that this movie has it's flaws. While in the first movie, Fester was endearing, in this movie he's way too over the top. I love Christopher Lloyd, but he really needed to tone it down in this movie. On top of that, the writers seemed to be on a mission to place the characters in awkward positions. While this might have worked in the first film to a certain extent, placing all the characters in awkward positions throughout the second film is just a little too much for one film to completely sustain. It really wears on you after too long.

The Addams Family was enough, in my opinion, the sequel didn't need to happen, and, unfortunately there are even moments when it seems they've run out of ideas (the dance between Gomez and Morticia is fun, but seems almost like a ripoff of the Mamushka dance from the movie before it). If you watch it, watch it for Ricci's brilliant performance and for Raul Julia's last great performance in a role he was born for. My only wish is that it was better, or should I say half as good as it's predecessor.

3/5

Well performed and funny. In particular, Uncle Fester, Debbie, Wednesday, and everybody connected with Camp Chippewa are memorable.

Probably one of the most satirical, brilliant and funny commentaries on the American family that has ever been produced! Excellent acting, timing is superb, and the lines come fast and furious! This is a 'must have' in your collection!