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-

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!!!

OK, so looking back on this movie now that I'm an adult, I realize it is probably not the most quality movie I have ever seen. But as a kid, I loved it. I taped it off of the Wonderful World of Disney and watched it over and over. There are some very funny lines, and I love how the maid is nosy, just like in the first movie. But my main problem is how can Haley Mills, a blond, have a daughter who's a red head? If you loved the first Parent Trap, see the sequel, just so you can know what happens to Susan and Sharon once they're all grown up.

Favorite line: "All right, but he's really cute. For a minute I thought he was Ralph Machio."

I did not expect to enjoy this, and yet I did.

'The Parent Trap II' somehow, despite a cavernous 25-year gap from the original, manages to create a suitably entertaining sequel. The premise to this one is arguably the more realistic of the two, though the characters themselves actually react more unrealistically - it's kinda odd, but actually works.

Nikki and Mary are the child stars of this, the former is the daughter of Sharon and niece of Susan; both of whom are the leads in 1961's 'The Parent Trap'. The aforementioned are again portrayed by Hayley Mills, somewhat surprisingly but very much welcome. She does a good job, as do Carrie Kei Heim (Nikki) and Bridgette Andersen (Mary). Tom Skerritt plays the role of Bill competently, also.

It most definitely isn't a great production and isn't a patch on the first one. However, for what it is - a made-for-TV sequel - I actually rate it. I don't hold high hopes for the other two follow-ups, though perhaps they'll surprise me like this did.

Some pretty outrageous events took place in this movie! First, Nicki Ferris and Mary Grand meet and become friends. Nicki's mom, Sharon Ferris, announces they are moveing to New York, Nicki doesn't want to go, so she and Mary put their heads together and come up with some ideas that are out of this world! (Why couldn't I think of something like that?) She gets her Aunt Susan Cary involved and she actually agrees to help! No grown up, especially a married one, would agree to impersonate someone and date a man she doesn't know. This is just too funny!