The Gods Must Be Crazy II

While the original film would have been very difficult to top, The Gods Must Be Crazy II is certainly a strong movie. The innocence and silliness that was captured so amazingly in the first film was faithfully reconstructed in this film. Xixo was much more commanding in this film, and the two kids who played his children were also quite good. Unfortunately, the film makers had to beat the idea into the ground, and made an terrible third sequel. Alas, sometimes a great idea shouldn't always be built upon.

This sequel is definitely not as insightful about the nature of man as the original, but there're still more than enough slapsticks, romance and family drama to make up for it.

The two children are particularly adorable, their strength comes from their innocence, without the precocity that has become the hallmark of Hollywood. Their storyline is thus the most heart-warming of all.

The two soldiers from opposing forces provide much of the slapstick of movie, and they are very good, with exceptionally funny facial expressions.

And let¡¯s not count Lena Farugia and Hans Strydom out, who play a doctor of law from New York and a zoologist on assignment ¨C their opposite-attract romance is rather stereotypical but Lena in particular is such a charming delight that I forget how much Strydom looks like Tom Selleck, instead, wonder why Lena had not since made another movie - yes, really sad :( - she could¡¯ve been a big star.

So in the end, one very funny little film, worth every penny and more to rent or buy. Keep some band-aids with you while watching, as you may get some stitches in your side.

The Gods Must Be Crazy II (1989) C-97 min. D: Jamie Uys. N!xau, Lena Farugia, Hans Strydom, Eiros, Nadies, Erick Bowen. Sequel to the hit box-office smash is just as funny, concerning the bushman's quest to find his children, who have been `kidnapped' by a pair of poachers. Meanwhile, two inept soldiers are out to make each other suffer through slapstick catastrophes and a duo of scientists find themselves lost in the desert. Farugia is hilarious as the anti-nature scientist, while Bowen is funny as well (as a Cuban soldier who loses his sense of direction every few minutes). RATING: 8 out of 10. Rated PG for partial nudity, slapstick violence, and strong language.

While "Gods...II" is not quite as hilarious as the first, it is still well worth seeing, especially for the performance of the lovely Lena Farugia. Two questions will come to mind. "Why haven't we seen her before?" and "Why haven't we seen her since?" Lena Farugia is an American born, New York trained actress living and working in South Africa, with experience as a writer and producer in television. I don't know if she did her own stunts in the movie, but if not, that was one beautiful stunt double!

Too many story lines to make this as good as the first one, but it's still a delight. The kids are charming, and the female lead is a wonderful physical comedienne. A pity Jamie Uys didn't make more movies.