Episode #14: F/X 2
Updated: Jun 3, 2021
Listen to Episode 14 of the Podcast here while you enjoy the show notes.
SUMMARY - F/X2 takes place about five years after the events of the first movie. Rollie (played by Bryan Brown) is retired from doing special effects and lives with his new girlfriend Kim and her son, but he’s pulled back in to once again work for the police to use his gadgets to catch a potential killer. However, like last time, things go wrong and crooked cops are involved. Rollie goes on the run to save his family and tries to solve the mystery with the help of an old friend.
Screenplay by Bill Condon; Directed by Richard Franklin, and released on May 10, 1991.
FILM DISCUSSION
We said we would put the theme song up on the website, and so here you are. It's a fun one
There are a lot of similarities between this movie and the first one. They both start with a fake movie scene and showing off special effects.
They both involve the lead helping the cops with a case through his gadgetry - such as this booby walky talky thing. Just press the nip to talk.
They both involve corrupt cops that need to find and kill Rollie and his loved ones.
Rollie's girlfriend and her son actually get to play a semi-significant role in the adventure, which was nice.
There are very few returning characters. Velez joins the two male leads, and that's it.
Unless you count the monster used in the doorway.
This time, instead we get heavy use of this clown that is controlled through a body suit that allows it to mimic your movements exactly.
So, when the real killer breaks into Rollie's apartment, he can battle from afar using the clown. As one does.
In general the fight and action scenes are pretty good, but they're full of stupidity as well. This main bad guy walks into a burning aisle for no reason and decides to stand in front of this stand full of beans as they bubble and are getting ready to explode.
The movie glances past a lot of things in favor of convenience, like what happened after finally trapping him in the shrink wrap machine and why we never see him again despite him obviously being alive.
Many of the gadgets and traps assume very precise actions from the bad guys.
And many don't make sense. No idea how he got this massive set up inside the building and knew he would have a place to hide it.
Still, focus on the action and blasts and don't think too much about the "why" of it all.
It wouldn't be an ending if it didn't give us another look at this creepy ass clown, who is piloting the helicopter.
Awards Talk - Nothing here and honestly that makes sense.
TRUE CRIME & POP CULTURE
This week our "crime" segment focused on the producer of this movie, Dodi Al Fayed.
Nikki provided some background on Al Fayed's life and family, and of course we go into detail about the night that he passed away alongside Princess Diana during that infamous paparazzi car chase.
If you want to read more, here are a couple resources used:
And as promised, here's a picture of the statue that we talked about that was displayed in Harrod's in case you were curious.
As for music, the Top US Song was
We have a new one with Roxette - Joyride
Top UK Song
Here's another new one for us at the podcast. Cher offers her rendition of The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss).
Our TV discussion was a bit limited, but we recapped a new episode of SNL hosted by Delta Burke and musical guest Chris Isaak. While the sketches weren't that great in this episode (and Peacock was missing the Wayne's World segment featuring Madonna), Burke did a good job as a host despite the not-so-funny ideas.
RANKINGS & RATINGS
Nikki 1-5 star scale - 2 out of 5
Jon 0-4 star scale - 2 out of 4
Would you watch it again? - Given the choice, we'd much rather watch the first one again, but this would do for something to play in the background.
If you want to watch F/X2, as of this recording on May 2021, it’s available on Tubi, PlutoTV, Digital Rental, VHS, DVD. Check your local listings.
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Join us next time for V.I. Warshawski available on Digital Rental, VHS, DVD
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