K-911 Released By:
Universal Home VideoFeatures:
1999; 91 Min; Rated PG-13; Dolby Digital: English 5.0, Dolby Surround: French; Anamorphic Widescreen (1:85).Extras:
4 Theatrical Trailers, Production Notes, Cast and Crew Listings.Review:
"Ah, the joys of Hollywood. Whenever someone comes up with a new film or genre, everyone must beat it into the ground." - Opening sentence to my review of K-9.I had to dig that quote up because, just as all genre's must be beaten into the ground, so to must successful franchises. The trick is, Universal has tried to resurrect some series the Disney way, with straight to video sequels. Universal has had some mixed results. The Land Before Time series is still going strong, while they've already killed Darkman and Tremors. Currently they are about to bring back An American Tail, while they have just released K-911, their follow-up to the sleeper hit K-9.
As the film opens, we are re-introduced to the remaining characters from the first film. James Belushi returns as James Dooley, the sloppy, shoot from the hip, LA cop. Since it's been ten years since the original film a new dog is playing Jerry Lee, his name is Mac. Missing from the picture is Dooley's wife, who has died since the previous film, it's not clearly explained how this has happened. Also returning is Dooley's captain, played again by James Handy.
After Dooley and Jerry Lee fail to apprehend a criminal for the third time in three weeks, as well as fail a physical, the captain assigns them some new partners. The new cohorts in justice are the straight laced pair of Officer Wells (Christine Tucci) and Zeus, her Dutch trained Doberman. Together they attempt to solve they mystery of who is trying to kill Dooley and Jerry Lee. Later, about halfway through the film, it is revealed that a psycho screenwriter (there's another type?), is the one attempting to kill our heroes.
K-911 doesn't have as many laughs as the original, but it's passable entertainment considering some other garbage sequels that have graced the movie screen the past few years. Mortal Kombat II anyone? Hell, it's a little more entertaining that Wild Wild West if you ask me. The sad part, this film was made on 5% of WWW's budget. I think the biggest drawback to K-911 is that Belushi just doesn't seem to connect with his four legged co-star as well in this film. Everybody else's performances are fine.
After Universal's initial pan and scan stupidity, they haven't released a non-letterboxed titles since The Jerk. This film is presented in an anamorphic 1.78 aspect ratio, and looks properly balanced. The film print is new, so it's in great shape. It looks better than K-9's print, but then again, I don't think Universal took care of it's print, never intending to re-issue the first film. Good thing they did.
Universal has taken another cue from Disney and included a Dolby Digital mix on this title. While the mix is only 5.0, sans a LFE channel, it's still fairly effective. The fact that Universal even took the time to include any discrete audio mix for this film is a bonus. The soundtrack is optimized to full effect in chapters 2 (Bank Day) and 10 (Phil's Salvage), considering these are the only intense action scenes in the movie, what are you going to do? Otherwise, the surrounds are mainly ambience, music and the like.
Extra features? Ok, there's a few. Universal delivers their standard cast and crew biographies as well as production notes. As for the trailers, one for K-911 is not included, but trailers for Blues Brothers, Cop And A Half, K-9 and Kindergarten Cop are. Nothing earth shattering.
Unless you really loved the first film, K-911 is strictly a rental film, but it's not a bad choice. Even though it's rated PG-13 it not that intense, it safe to show to younger kids.
What can I say, it's a sequel I didn't expect, I'll give K-911 a 4.5.
It's not more than one should expect for a straight to video release, I give the presentation a 5.
Dan Linzmeier, FIT Productions
Fitprod@aol.com
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