Review of Major League II (1994) by Megan K — 09 Mar 2011

The tribe is back in the march, after the highly succesful first film, for Major League II. Major League provided a lot in the way of substance amongst its colorful charachters. And the concept of an underdog story is once again brought into play. It's only supposed to be a year later (but it's been nearly 5 since the first film, but since the actors look the same we'll let it go), and things have changed, new faces have arrived, and the personalities of a lot of those involved. To put it bluntly...coach Lou Brown says after training camp "This team has completely lost its focus", Before new owner, and the now retired Roger Dorn asks "Is April too early for a Roger Dorn night?".

Sheen, Berenger, Bernsen, Gammon & Haysbert all return, with young talented actor Omar Epps taking Wesley Snipes' place as Hayes, but sadly despite Epps' talent, he doesen't have Snipes' energy, but alas Wes couldn't fit his overgrown head into the helmet...or the stadium for that matter.

Taylor (Berenger) has been declared too broken down to play, but they have him stay on as an assistant coach. Hayes' ego (ironically), has gone to his head after he made a movie in the off season (really funny scene when they show the trailer), Pedro has found buddhism, and the Wild Thing..has been tamed by a new cover girl representing him, and cleaning up his image. Some new faces join the fray, including Rube Baker (Eric Bruskotter), and arrogant home run king Jack Parkman (David Keith).

The fact is this movie doesen't sustain the same drive the first one had, Sheen is better as a quiet rebel, not a quiet rebel trying to clean himself up, and now he's lost his stuff on the pitching mound. Sheen does as good as he can, but isn't given much. Berenger is still good at being the emotional center of the film, as he's adjusting to the new role he's been given. Bernsen is still quite funny as Roger Dorn, who reactivates himself...only to be benched. Haysbert is still quite imtimidating when he's nice, and Bruskotter is good enough as a somewhat likable country bumpkin trying to stay focused, some of the scenes with him and Berenger are well done. Ketih is a good charachter actor, but really his role as Parkman is quite thankless, and he's just a cliche arrogant jerk, who we really just don't care about. Thankfully things get a little better, when Isuro Tanaka (Takaaki Ishibashi) is brought in to take Parkman's place.o.

The loss of the teams focus, and the new slump they're enduring isn't really a strong enough background like in the first film. But once again Gammon takes steer of the ship of this film, to nobody's surprise. But the problem is that, we may have loved it the first time, but the 2nd time we're just seeing it again. And poor Sheen can't play the likable rebel like he should, but I did somewhat enjoy his chemistry with Michelle Burke who plays Nikki, a program director of a young offenders group who idolize Rick.

The film only really has one basic strongpoint, and that's the laughs, they're still a plenty here, and once again Bob Uecker is in full string as the whistle wetting Harry Doyle. Also along for the fray inserting some laughs is Randy Quaid as a loudmouth fan.

The film has enough laughs, and the charachters for the most part are still strong and likable, it's a very marginal reccomendation, but still good as far as sequels go.