Addams Family Values (1993)

If there is one thing that often holds true, it's that sequels rarely exceed the original. At best, they can equal the first one, but more often than not, they fall short. They either try too hard to copy the original, or try something new and fall flat.

'Addams Family Values' does neither. Which might also explain why this one is at least as good as the first one.

The basics have not been thrown away, this is still a film about a bizarre yet quirky family that adores all things morbid and after that, shenanigans ensue. There are people that find this one slightly less than the first because it is in fact more of the same, but in this case, that is a good thing. You can not really expand beyond what the whole concept of the Addams family is, after all.

This time, two things happen: Morticia gives birth to a new baby boy and the new nanny wants to marry uncle Fester. In the latter case, all is not what it seems, seeing as she is only after his money and tries to get him away from his loving family with the promise of hanky panky.

That last bit probably is more realistic than anything else in these films.

What? You don't have a relative whom you never see because their spouse doesn't like the family? Exactly the same thing, compadre.

This is once again a very, very enjoyable film. There are a few things that - to me, at least - up the ante on the first one. First off, Christina Ricci now really shines in her role as Wednesday. The camp idea? Brilliant. How she and her brother don't fit the mould on this happy happy joy joy camp that gives me the willies is neatly done. Trust me, you'll love the jabs and eventual outcome of this plot device to get the kids out of the house. Secondly: how can you not love Joan Cusack as the 'evil' nanny/golddigger? It is true that both Joan and her brother John can do nothing wrong for me, I pretty much love them in everything they're in, but next to Christina Ricci, Joan Cusack steals the show in her loveable performance where she ramps it all up to ten.

It's hard not to notice, but all the actors involved seemed to have so much fun in either reprising their rols from before, or coming in all guns blazing. Seeing how ecstatically Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston play off each other as Gomez and Morticia is heartwarming, Christopher Lloyd was born to play uncle Fester and the kids get a lot more to do and say, because they're also a lot older now.

'Addams Family Values' easily stands beside the original in terms of enjoyment and quality. There are naysayers that will plead that this one does not hold a candle to the original, but to that, I say: "Phooey! And double phooey!"

Now allow me to hum the theme song again all day long whilst snapping my fingers.