Clue II: Murder in Disguise

I have not seen the first VCR Clue game (I did just buy it on eBay) so I do not have anything to compare this to. I love how over the top it is. The game play is good, but I can rarely find anyone who wants to compete with me. They hate needing to watch scenes over and over. I just converted my tape to DVD so I don't have to rewind! YEAH:) It is fun to see how the actors interact with each other and how iconic each of the characters are. This is not suppose to be good acting. It is meant to be the extreme campy over the top production that it is. The filming is good in that it never forces you to watch actors with nothing to do. If an actor is not speaking they are doing something related to the game clues. It is a bad actors dream, because they don't have to rely on the usual tricks. Too bad there is not more of a demand for this kind of interactive movie.

Anyone watching this "movie" expecting a layered comedy in the vein of the Clue theatrical film is going to be sorely disappointed. Admittedly, the no-budget, community theater ambiance to the sets and cast does have a charm to it and the actors chew the scenery in an entertaining way but this was produced as a cheap game first and a watchable movie second.

With the success from the first video / home game, the people at Parker Brothers produced a sequel, this time, shot on film and with a longer shooting schedule and bigger budget. The end result, not as successful as the original. The same characters return to solve yet another mystery. A good game if you are a fan of the original. Also, if you are from Rhode Island, you have to respect the fact that this was shot in Newport, Rhode Island. The original video production was something unique and before its time. The second will always be a runner up when it comes to the magic that the first film created. An excellent idea, that by 1987, was starting to lose its flavor. Congrats to those on this production. People today, in the film / video field will forever be jealous.

The acting is over the top, the plot is pointless, and the comedy fails because they try too hard, but diehard fans of the first "Clue" VCR game as well as the 1985 movie will love this sequel.

If you enjoy actually playing the VCR version of the game (I do, but many don't), then go for it - otherwise, it might be worth hunting down a copy of this video just to laugh at it. Highlights include Sgt. Gray's chronic amnesia problems, many of the characters dressing up as each other, Sgt. Gray walking in on Col. Mustard while he's tied up in bed, and a wacky string of scenes involving microfilm hidden inside a fortune cookie.

Definitely not something that should be shown to inspire film students, but worth the time to look for if you're into silly low-budget videos.