The Parent Trap II

Released to TV in 1986, "The Parent Trap II" is a sequel to the popular 1961 film. It's 25 years later and so the twin sisters, Sharon and Susan (both played by Hayley Mills) are in their late 30s. Sharon is single with a daughter in Florida while Susan is married and lives in California. Sharon's daughter (Carrie Kei Heim) teams up with her best friend (Bridgette Andersen) to match-up her mother with her friend's father (Tom Skerritt). Susan secretly flies in from California to help the girls in their 'parent trap.'

While this sequel is nowhere close to being as good as the original, it's a must-see for fans of the latter. After all, you get to see what Sharon and Susan look like 25 years later and what they're doing. The two girls are cute and amiable despite their well-intended, but deceptive antics. Because this is such a lesser movie than the original people tend to over-criticize it, but it's really not that bad. It's fun and continues the story, plus it doesn't overstay its welcome.

The movie runs 81 minutes and was shot in Tampa Florida.

GRADE: B-

I've always had a soft-spot for this movie. I can't remember a time when I didn't know the original "The Parent Trap." My father is so in love with Hayley Mills that I just barely escaped being named Hayley - in fact, if you want the truth - had my last name not also begun with an "H" it's very likely that it would be my name.

Anyway, growing up with a father who is THAT devoted to Hayley Mills, there's no way I could avoid watching this. I saw it the first time it came on in 1986, when I was four years old. No, it's not as good as the original, but I always liked it. It's really cute. The script is well-written. Yes, it borders on the ridiculous, but - HELLO - you want to tell me that "The Parent Trap" doesn't? Nah, they're both unlikely stories, held together by the wonderful Hayley Mills.

Tom Skirrett does a wonderful job, and as a child of the '80s, I can't help but mention the two young stars who actually do turn in wonderful performances. First there's little Brigette Andersen - a beautiful little girl (those of us who were kids in the '80s will remember her as Gretel from Faerie Tale Theatre) who sadly, passed away in 1997. And then there's sweet Carrie Kei Heim - who will always be best known to me as Cornelia in "Santa Claus." A spunky red-head who's surprisingly, a very good actress - even if she does look nothing like Hayley Mills. Well, despite its 1980s-made-for-TV-look (there's even a reference to Ralph Macchio - God save us!) I still love this movie, and I always will.

Talk about a bad sequel. Don't see this film-then again you probably can't. It was a made for TV film, and I have only seen it aired late at night on the Disney channel since. Bad script...bad acting... bad movie... stay with the original. 1/5 stars--

JOHN ULMER

This was one of my favorites as a kid! I wish it were on VHS! Great sequal! I haven't seen the following 2 sequals, but I doubt they could compare! Mills brings the characters alive once again, and the supporting cast is great! Wonderful family fun!!!

Just about any 80's kid who had the Disney channel remembers this movie with great fondness...this was one of my favorite movies, and my sister and I loved to watch it over and over. I wanted to BE Nikki and Mary...I wanted their clothes, their bikes, their rooms, their parents...they even made me want to go to summer school! (Sort of.) Watching the movie always takes me back to when I was 8 years old and a big fan of the "Parent Trap" movies (I saw the original first). This is a great movie to watch as a kid (especially when you're a girl) since it shows the kids trying to control their parents' destinies by scheming to get them together. It's always fun to watch a movie where the kids are in control, instead of the parents!

As for the movie itself, it's a cute and fun sequel to the popular original, but don't expect a movie in the same caliber. This was a made-for-the Disney Channel-movie, after all. And since it's told through the point of view of the kids, it's clearly targeted to a pre-teen audience. Keeping this in mind, you should enjoy the film once you realize that it's completely different than the original in terms of production value, writing, setting, plot, you name it. Fans of Hayley Mills should get a kick out of seeing her reprise her role as the famous twins 25 years later.