After “The Addams Family” was released in 1991, a sequel is set after the events of the first film with the cast & crew reprising their role as the titular family in the second installment known as “Addams Family Values.”
Addams Family Values was released in 1993. (which is my actual birth year) It received positive reviews from critics and movie goers alike as most of them claim the second film is better than the previous one. Despite good reception, it failed to recoup expenses at the box office. A third installment was in development with the cast scheduled to reprise their roles, until one fateful day, Raul Julia died from a stoke. Out of respect for Raul, the cast & crew scrapped plans for a third film and were all replaced in “The Addams Family Reunion” with Tim Curry as Gomez.
A computer animated reboot of The Addams Family is out right now. I would assume that the beloved franchise is attempting to make a big comeback to match the same success as the “Hotel Transylvania” series. In response to The Addams Family reboot, I would like to share my thoughts on what’s good or bad about Addams Family Values. If you’re interested in my non-spoiler review for the first movie? Feel free to check it out.
Today’s review doesn’t contain no crucial SPOILERS whatsoever. Feel free to read this non-spoiler review if you never ever ever seen both The Addams Family & its sequel. Is the second movie better than the original? Let’s find out shall we?
Yay & Nay Qualities
Yay: The Main Cast such as Christopher Lloyd, Angelica Huston, Christina Ricci & the late Raul Julia (may he Rest In Peace) reprise their roles and they all did a terrific job for their respective performances.
Newcomers to the second film such as Joan Cusack, David Krumholtz Peter MacNicol (Janosz Poha from Ghostbusters II) & Christina Baranski all did a great job for their respective performances.
Barry Sonnenfeld directed the sequel and he did a decent job directing. Barry himself also made a cameo appearance.
Humor retains its style of Black Comedy belonging in something like “Beetlejuice.”
Cinematography felt carefully shot without going overboard. Not trace of Dutch Angles spotted.
The theme song from the 60’s show is retained.
Practical Effects were heavily used to orchestrate scenes displaying a family member’s shenanigans.
One of the characters did a jab at “The Cat In The Hat.” If The Addams Family watched Mike Myers’ movie, things would’ve gotten pretty nasty to invite Mike over to the mansion.
Set Pieces were manually built by hand to make The Addams Mansion & summer camp realistic as possible.
Costume Designs reflect each character’s unique personality.
Marc Shaiman (Hairspray) composed music for the sequel.
Prosthetic Makeup was used to apply the actors transforming them into his/her character. Especially Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester wearing a baldcap and fatsuit.
Joan Cusack’s over-the-top performance as Debbie deserves Bonus Points over her villainous motivation and ridiculous backstory. Debbie needs a spin-off pronto.
Addams Family Values takes place after the first movie. A newborn named, Pubert is introduced, Uncle Fester is dating a nanny named, Debbie, Wednesday & Pugsley are sent to a summer camp & Gomez & Morticia raise Pubert. To be honest, all storylines didn’t feel like a drab at all. I thought each one was interesting.
Michael Jackson was mocked by one character. Mike was originally gonna contribute to write a song for the sequel, but he was rejected over his accusation for molesting kids in “Neverland Ranch.” Recently a documentary titled, “Leaving Neverland” on HBO reveals the shocking truth about the late singer.
Nathan Lane, Cynthia Nixon, Tony Shalhoub, Peter Graves & David Hyde Pierce make cameo appearances.
One scene pays homage to Brian De Palma’s “Carrie.” Brian’s film “Carlito’s Way” came out the exact same year as Addams Family Values.
A familiar character finally puts a smile on his/her face. Guess who?
Tag Team wrote a remake of their hit song, “Whoomp There It Is” adding lyrics to The Addams Family” and sampled the show’s theme song. I’m surprised that their remake of Whoomp There It Is won a Razzie for “Worst Original Song.” I thought it was catchy. Their song was also used in the opening credits of “Space Jam.” Don’t forget Will Ferrell dancing to it from “Elf.”
Nay: Without giving too much away, a duo is forced to watch Disney films. Turns out they were watching non-Disney movies such like “The Sound Of Music” and for no gosh darn reason, “The Brady Bunch?” If you’re gonna mentioned or show accuracy, you have to play a clip of a film or song belonging to a film in the background. If somebody place me in my own personal torture chamber like that one scene from Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange.” I would suggest god awful Dan Schneider Nickelodeon sitcoms (minus All That, Kenan & Kel, The Amanda Show, Drake & Josh) Disney Channel’s sitcoms produced by It’s A Laugh Productions & “Keep Up With The Kardashian’s.”
A Plot Hole involving why didn’t one of the characters reveal the truth about Debbie’s suspicious motivation at a wedding.
The Final Verdict: A-
From my point of view, or in Star Wars lore, “From a certain point of view,” Addams Family Values is arguably the best film of The Addams Family. If it weren’t for one nitpick or two, I would’ve given it an A FOR APEX, which is my highest grade. I was this close to giving Addams Family Values a B, an A- is forgiving thanks to Joan Cusack’s over-the-top performance as Debbie. If you’re eager to see The Addams Family computer animated reboot, I highly recommend both live action films minus The Addams Family Reunion.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 