The Gods Must Be Crazy II

While the original film would have been very difficult to top, The Gods Must Be Crazy II is certainly a strong movie. The innocence and silliness that was captured so amazingly in the first film was faithfully reconstructed in this film. Xixo was much more commanding in this film, and the two kids who played his children were also quite good. Unfortunately, the film makers had to beat the idea into the ground, and made an terrible third sequel. Alas, sometimes a great idea shouldn't always be built upon.

The Gods Must Be Crazy II (1989) C-97 min. D: Jamie Uys. N!xau, Lena Farugia, Hans Strydom, Eiros, Nadies, Erick Bowen. Sequel to the hit box-office smash is just as funny, concerning the bushman's quest to find his children, who have been `kidnapped' by a pair of poachers. Meanwhile, two inept soldiers are out to make each other suffer through slapstick catastrophes and a duo of scientists find themselves lost in the desert. Farugia is hilarious as the anti-nature scientist, while Bowen is funny as well (as a Cuban soldier who loses his sense of direction every few minutes). RATING: 8 out of 10. Rated PG for partial nudity, slapstick violence, and strong language.

This sequel has the same innocence and joy of the first one, just not as much. It's nice, but gets a little self-conscious. Part of the joy and purity of the first one is that it hadn't looked in the mirror too much. This one - well, it's still good, it'll lighten your heart to watch it, but you'll check your watch once or twice.

The first movie moved on the premise one Coke bottle in the garden of Eden could corrupt it. (They did a totally believable job of it, too, you ought to check out the first picture.) Civilization is a little heavier handed this time.

This picture has some of that contrived feel that most sequels have. But it's still a pleasure. How often do you see real joy in a picture, family love, innocence - and lots of laughs? A slapstick cops and robbers type of plot. The kids loved it.

While "Gods...II" is not quite as hilarious as the first, it is still well worth seeing, especially for the performance of the lovely Lena Farugia. Two questions will come to mind. "Why haven't we seen her before?" and "Why haven't we seen her since?" Lena Farugia is an American born, New York trained actress living and working in South Africa, with experience as a writer and producer in television. I don't know if she did her own stunts in the movie, but if not, that was one beautiful stunt double!

'The Gods must be crazy 2' is another South African gem, made in a time when it wasn't influenced by politics. This was pure storytelling at its best.

Following on the huge success of 'The Gods must be crazy', Jamie Uys brings us yet another hysterically funny adventure. The film also offers stunning views of the amazing South African wildlife, with its vast open fields and desert. To a certain extent, this can also be viewed as a humoristic documentary.

The humor is based on the misadventures of several people, who - by chance - affect the others through the decisions they make. It is seriously funny, and not slapstick at all. Although by no means professional actors, the real life Bushmen N! Xau, Xiri, and Xisa deliver fantastic performances, and they're all amusing in their own right. I also thoroughly enjoyed Hans Strydom as Dr Stephen Marshall, and Lena Farugia as Dr Ann Taylor, and the chemistry between them.

Set in the Kalahari desert, the film features good cinematography, camerawork and visuals. This was fascinating. There truly never is a dull moment. The 'Gods must be crazy' movies are unique and unlike any comedy you'll ever see. It's incredible to see what Jamie Uys accomplished with these movies. This was fabulous!

Would I watch it again? Definitely!