Beethoven's 2nd

The entire Newton family of Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Christopher Castile, Nicolle Tom, and Sarah Rose Karr are back in their roles from the first Beethoven movie. That lovable slobbering St.Bernard is also back and he's now a family man.

In the first Beethoven movie the star has a leading lady who is a female of the same breed. But now Beethoven's beloved is the object of a custody battle between Debi Mazur and her ex-husband. Mazur doesn't really want the dog, she's just using her as leverage. Now Beethoven becomes a daddy when the female gives birth to four handsome young pups.

This of course is a bad situation, but the Newtons one and all take a hand and families human and canine are stronger than ever.

Debi Mazur does her best Cruela DeVille imitation in her performance and she's Cruela if Cruela came from Bensonhurst in Brooklyn. Her boyfriend Chris Penn is muscle head with his little gray cells few and far between. They deserve each other, but they're pretty funny too. Mazur looks like she's enjoying herself.

Best moment for me though is Nicolle Tom when young rich player Ashley Hamilton invites her up to his bedroom for a quick romp. Beethoven rescues her in a truly spectacular manner. Those St.Bernards are really strong animals.

Beethoven's 2nd even got some Oscar recognition in the Best Song category for The Day I Fall In Love.

Beethoven's 2nd may not have pleased the critics, but it's still fine family entertainment.

This second installment in the Beethoven film series is a family comedy that is pleasant to watch when you wake up with a coffee on Sunday morning.

The story is not only funny but also educational.

This isn't a bad sequel but it's unable to measure up to the first "Beethoven," which was an extremely likable film. This is still a "cute" film and one parents and all the kiddies certainly will like.

It features a litter of St. Bernard puppies, and who doesn't go "aww" at the sight of little puppies, especially St. Bernard's? The puppies are the main story here, which turns into a "crime" story when "Missy" is dog-napped and the little ones also become endangered.

I didn't think this was a "silly" story as there are some good morals and lessons to be learned, but it was a bit "sappy." I get a little annoyed, too, when animals are pictured as smarter than the humans. I'm sorry but, as much as you might love pets and hate some people, that just ain't so.

Nonetheless, if you loved the first movie you'll find enough to like in here to enjoy it. If you thought the first film was just okay, you won't like this.

I really enjoyed the first Beethoven, while it had its flaws, it was cute and charming. This sequel has its contrivances and a little mediocre in places, but it is a decent sequel, definitely one of the more watchable ones in the franchise. The script is weak in places, and the plot is something you will have seen before. Plus the pacing is rather hectic, and the film could have been longer. That said it is beautifully filmed, with lovely cinematography and even better scenery. The music score I couldn't fault either, and the gags are interesting(the hamburger contest was a riot). The acting is decent, with Charles Grodin very entertaining as George and Bonnie Hunt luminous as Alice. As the villains of the pieces, Debi Mazar and Chris Penn also impress. But the real stars are the dogs, Beethoven is still his funny and adorable self, but he is almost upstaged by the beautiful and equally adorable Missy. Overall, has its problems, but as a sequel it is watchable, certainly better than the rating here(and I also think the first film is rated too low). 6/10 Bethany Cox

"Isn't this entertaining? Hicks and their dogs."

Beethoven meets a female and becomes a father. When a female is kidnapped, Beethoven and the puppies go on a rescue mission. And some people are there too.

Sequels to the 1992 film were not planned, but after "Beethoven" was a box office hit, they quickly put together a few more. This one is quite decent. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one too. Even though it's a class below, it's still fun, and the puppies are adorable. A good choice for viewing with young children. And then there's Danny Masterson, Hyde from "That '70s Show."

5/10.