Another 48 Hrs. (1990)

Here you have what is known as a prime example of trying to capture lightning in a bottle a second time and failing. Not failing terribly, but still failing. That is not a nice feeling.

Several years after the original that cemented the ideas and basics of the buddycop formula, the team tried to do it again. Same director (Walter Hill), same core cast, but still something went missing. In the meantime, Eddie Murphy became a huge star, so this time he is top billed above Nick Nolte, and that also makes sense because once again it is Murphy's performance that is the main reason to see this film.

There is no longer a 48 hour time limit, Reggie Hammond is no longer a convict and Nolte is less of a gruff racist bastard than the first time. Instead of an action film featuring some comedy, this one goes more for the comedy angle, but doesn't quite get the balancing act right. The funny moments are funny, but the action does not hit as hard or seem as real as you'd expect. It all is a little more over the top and that is actually quite a shame.

The story seems to be a rehash of the first one, especially concerning the villains. Suddenly there's a brother to Albert Ganz from the first and watch out, people: he's even more psychotic than the first one.

Quite a silly feat, actually. James Remar played Albert Ganz as a 'believable' psycho (if there is such a thing, whereas the actor portraying his brother Cherry just is a rather bland motorcycle thug.

By the way, I can't be the only one who thinks 'Cherry' is one of the least intimidating names for a villain. And when he gets shot, does that also count as 'popping the cherry'?

Those questions need answering, dagnabbit.

This time around, Nolte is chasing an elusive druglord known as the Iceman (again: stupid moniker). But apparently, Reggie stole some money from him years ago and is the only one who can identify him, so he puts out a hit on Reggie. Cue the adventure where both protagonists have to work together once again. The conflict between Nolte and Murphy is rather forced this time around. They even try to rehash that awesome barscene from the first one where Murphy subdues a crowd of rednecks, only this time to a lot less fanfare.

I'm not even going to go into the last ten minutes or so where suddenly everything is revealed from out of nowhere, or before that when suddenly the daughter of a secondary character becomes crucial to the plot for some reason, even though most of the film spends no time at all setting that up.

And there's the main problem with this one: somehow, someone at the studio managed to cut this film up so badly that a lot of the elements make no sense and rightfully feel haphazardly tossed together. The roles of both Ed O'Ross and Brion James (two great character actors) are so greatly reduced, that their appearances throughout make no sense, even though they're supposed to make sense near the end. Also, the forced arguments between Nolte and Murphy are so random and make so little sense (again), it feels hollow.

Now don't misunderstand: this still is a film that can be enjoyed on an evening when you want to switch your brain to a lower setting than usual, but it is so apparent that the studio meddling screwed this one over.

Missed potential? Yes.

This one is enjoyable to a certain degree, but it is far inferior to the original.

But Eddie Murphy is great, so let's take some comfort in that, shall we?