D2: Les mighty ducks - jeu de puissance

Directed by Sam Weisman and written by Steven Brill, D2: The Mighty Ducks is the sequel to the surprise 1992 hit.

The sequel see's the Ducks being selected to represent the US in the Junior Goodwill Games, along with a few new players from other parts of the country. They dominate the tournament for the most part but have trouble with a brutal opponent from Iceland.

This is clearly a very modern take on Bad News Bears Go to Japan, which is definitely appropriate, as the first Ducks movie was the modern Bad News Bears.

The Junior Goodwill Games might seem like the most outlandish thing ever, especially to today's generation, but the Goodwill Games were an actual thing. The Junior version of the Goodwill Games wouldn't actually be a thing until 1998.

Obviously, the Ducks being chosen to represent the entire country takes a bit of suspension of disbelief but it's Disney, really shouldn't expect any different. Of course, in typical Disney fashion, the countries that are represented in the movie are the stereotypical presentations that only their studio could pull off. Iceland as the rival is a bit random but it works for this particular film.

Much like the first film. The hockey is pretty well shot and entertaining. A bit more goofiness is thrown in this time but the games against Iceland are surprisingly intense. Granted the rules of the game seem to go out the window at times for plot convenience, or the refs are blind. Seriously, if this is the movie that introduces you to the sport, you would think the refs were just part of the sport for decoration.

I think the only thing that ever stood out to me as a major flaw as compared to the original Bad News Bears is the portrayal of the adults, who tend to act more like kids than the actual kids at times. Also, Iceland coach Wolf Stannson is such an over the top villain. He usually speaks in nothing but whispers, wears only black suits and his hair is perfectly slicked back at all times, including after his three goalpost scrimmage with Gordon Bombay. Kind of like if Claude Lemieux or Sean Avery became coaches.

I will give the actors a lot of credit. The teen cast is great and Emilio Estevez is a dang good actor who can work around any subpar material. Unfortunately, Joss Ackland doesn't return as Hans, and is replaced by Jan Rubes who plays Jan. Great veteran actor as well, and plays largely the same kind of role, but Ackland just fit better in my opinion. Carsten Norgaard plays Wolf Stannson, and like I said, he's over the top, but that's what kind of makes the role memorable as well.

So overall, it is Bad News Bears Go to Japan on 1990s steroids and that's what makes it so much better. It is outlandish, over the top, and insanely cliche in areas, but it is unbelievably entertaining. It is a movie that is very much its era and that is what surprisingly keeps it so endearing.

Gordon Bombay is forced to withdraw from the minor hockey league with a knee injury. Much to his surprise, he is given the job of coach of Team USA Hockey for the Junior Goodwill Games in California. With most of the Ducks and a few new players in tow, he sets forth for LA.

When you have a sequel, you have to make it bigger and better. This film is possibly bigger, because now the kids are playing in some sort of Olympic-like setting against a team from Iceland. So the pressure is much greater. But is it better? Not really. It's rather flat with no plot development, character development or surprises.

Fans of the first film might like this, especially because it will allow them to just relax for 90 minutes and not have to invest themselves. It's a good movie to play in the background. Also, Leah Lail is in it.

This is clearly above and beyond all other movies ever made and it definitely deserves the number one ranking on IMDb. It's not even close. Why, you ask? Only because it has everything a movie could possibly need. Think about it, you've got Coach Gordon Bombay, Pacey from Dawson's Creek, kids from Morgan Park High School in Chicago(I live a block away!) which actually does not have a hockey team, Keenan's knuckle puck, Team Iceland, Goldberg for comic relief, the team from Trinidad & Tobago whose fans play Caribbean drums after they score a goal, that hot chick from Maine, and We Are the Champions! Come on, it doesn't get any better.

Evereybody now, "Quack! Quack! Quack! Quack! Quack! Quack!"

Rising like a phoenix from the ashes, D2 spreads its wings and soars to new heights of artistic merit. D2 is the rarest of sequels, a sequel that is truly better than the original. All of the jagged edges in the original film's plot have been streamlined, and the new ground being broken, (Self-Doubt, Conquering your fears, Sexual Identity) fit in seamlessly, giving this film a more robust feel, similar to that of Chunky Soup. Emilio Estevez (In his star-making role) plays coach Bombay with a smoldering fury that makes it very clear that he is Martin Sheen's favorite son. The rest of the cast is equally brilliant, especially the ducks themselves, whose performances are so real, you cant help believing that they are truly kids. The direction is bold yet beautiful, and instantly recalls that of the early german surrealists. The electronic score by Goblin is eerily effective in creating suspense in both the game and locker room scenes, and lets the viewer know that this isnt a game anymore, and that national pride is on the line. A masterpiece of baroque visuals and dry wit, D2 is a most worthy rental upon your next excursion to the video store.

I really enjoyed the first Mighty Ducks film, it was uplifting and fun. And you know what, I liked this film too. It is blander than the first, with the direction lacking in places, the plot predictable and the pacing a little uneven. However, the ice hockey matches are done with real flair, the soundtrack is great, it is well filmed and the script actually has its touching and humorous moments. Emilio Estevez reprises his role as Gordon and does a very good job again, in fact he could very well be the actor who holds the film together, and Kathryn Erbe is a charming Michele. Overall, don't expect a masterpiece, but this is an enjoyable film if given a chance. 7/10 Bethany Cox