Tremors II: Aftershocks

The original Tremors, released six years earlier, is a prime example of how monster movies ought to be and it was immensely popular amongst critics as well regular audiences. A sequel was inevitable and it's actually surprising that it still took 6 years before they had it finished…Normally; filmmakers exploit a successful franchise much quicker than this! I think everyone agrees with the statement that this second entry can't possibly live up to the original but, as far as the quality of sequels go, "Tremors II: Aftershocks" is a fairly pleasant B-movie that you definitely won't regret seeing. It's obviously meant to please the enormous fan-base of the first movie, since it features the exact same type of humor and similar special effects, but at least it tries to add something new to the story of the giant carnivorous worms. Several years have passed since the big fat "Graboid"-hunt in Perfection, Nevada and good old Earl Bassett (the cool and charismatic Fred Ward reprises his role) is asked to come to Mexico because a new plague of worms has already killed (and eaten) the staff of a large petrol field there. Reluctant to risk his life again, Earl eventually decides to come to the rescue, accompanied by his old and trigger-happy friend Burt Gummer (Michael Gross) and a fresh sidekick named Grady. The three learn that Graboids are a superior breed of monsters, since they evolve and rapidly work their way up the food chain. The biggest thing missing in this film is Kevin Bacon…Well, not so much his persona but the duo he formed with Fred Ward in the original! Christopher Gartin tries hard enough to be a good replacement but it's just not the same. No offense to him, though. There still is some delightful B-movie dialogue going on between Fred Ward and Burt Gummer and the monster effects are more than satisfying. Two more straight-to-video sequels followed and they're really not that bad, neither. You just need to be a massive fan of the original. In case you thought 'Tremors' was only so-so, none of the sequels are meant for your eyes.

Tremors 2 is not a bad movie. It simply lacks whatever made the first movie so special. The story is okay but it could of used more work. Having Fred Ward and Michael Gross back helped this movie a lot. I was disappointed to find out this was released direct to video. It has the potential to be a big screen release and could have made more. Overall, Tremors 2: Aftershocks is a okay movie. If you've seen the first movie, you might as well see this one.

Tremors 2 does a nice job of following the success of the first, without being too copycat or too ridiculous. The vibe is very much similar to the first, good humored and full of monster hunting goodness. The sequel also does a nice job of paying homage to those who didn't come back, while introducing new characters that fit into the plot well. All in all, a decent movie, if you go in with low expectations and a certain love for low budget, high quality monster movies.

Tremors II doesn't quite reach the heights or the pure fun of the first movie, but it is still a competent sequel and arguably second best in the series. The graboids are back, and this time in Mexico! The plot is fairly similar to the first except for some .. minor changes. Fred Ward (RIP) returns along with Michael Gross who both give stellar performances and really help make this film what it is. Giving us more than a few great scenes/quotes. Chris Gartin and Helen Shaver also giving fun supporting performances. The chemistry between all 4 really blossoms by the time the credits roll. Another tremors movie where the cast is very likable and worth our time. Fun opening scene, reasonable pace, and an amazing sequence when they're out hunting in the fields at night. The late 90's cgi monsters are kind of dated by today's standards but it's passable. I can still respect the vision but sometimes it looks like Walking With Dinosaurs or something. Another syfy channel classic, Tremors II is a solid 6 and a pretty fun watch.

After the huge love and deserved critical praise for Ron Underwood's 1990 film, Tremors, this in spite of poor box office and lead man Kevin Bacon disowning the film at the time, sequels were always likely. And so it proved.

Fred Ward and Michael Gross return from the first film and are joined by Christopher Gartin, Helen Shaver and Marcelo Tubert. Underwood hands over the directing reins to S.S. Wilson and co-produces instead, while music is by jay Ferguson and cinematography by Virgil Harper.

In spite of adding some new beasties into the mix, it all feels very same old same old, only without the funny script and any sense of peril. What made Tremors so strong was that even as it had its tongue in its cheek, homaging 1950s creature features with a proud sense of being, it was still scary and suspenseful. The characters there gave a believable sense of danger and fright, here it's just done for laughs, we never once think the principal players are remotely scared of the Graboids and their offspring.

Story has advanced for Earl (Ward) and Burt (Gross), where this time it's Earl who is romancing (Shaver under used but lovely) and Burt is all on his lonesome as his Mrs (Heather played by Reba McEntire) has left him on account of his love of war and weapons, a joke which grows old very fast here. Still, when the action isn't of the budget CGI kind, it's well staged and good fun, though Wilson's comic sequence shooting is flat, while Ward is a strong enough actor to carry the film to keep it above average.

Passably enjoyable for fans of creature feature movies without ever being an essential viewing choice. 5/10