Alright, fellow tape travelers, let's rewind to 1988. Seven long years after Arthur (1981) uncorked a perfect blend of charm, wit, and Dudley Moore's Oscar-nominated performance, the VCR whirred to life with the promise of more bubbly adventures in Arthur 2: On the Rocks. Pulling this tape off the shelf at Blockbuster (remember that glorious wall of New Releases?), there was a definite buzz. The original was huge, a critical darling and box office smash ($95 million from a $7 million budget – that's serious champagne money!). Could lightning strike twice for our favorite perpetually tipsy billionaire? Well, pour yourself something stiff, because the answer is... complicated.
### The Morning After the Million-Dollar Party
The film picks up with Arthur Bach seemingly having it all: married to the lovely Linda (the effervescent Liza Minnelli, returning with gusto) and still ridiculously wealthy. But the plot, penned by Andy Breckman (who, fun fact, would later create the beloved TV series Monk – talk about a tonal shift!), quickly throws a wrench in the works. Bitter billionaire Burt Johnson (Stephen Elliott), the father of the jilted Susan (Cynthia Sikes, taking over from Jill Eikenberry), schemes to strip Arthur of his $750 million fortune unless Linda walks away. Suddenly, Arthur and Linda are broke, forced to navigate the horrors of normal life, like... apartments and maybe even jobs? It’s a premise ripe for comedy, watching the ultimate pampered man-child fumble through reality, but something feels a bit flat compared to the original's sparkle.
### Ghosts of Laughs Past
Let's be honest, the shadow of the original looms large, especially concerning one key figure: Hobson. The brilliant John Gielgud won a well-deserved Oscar for his portrayal of Arthur's acerbic, impeccably dry valet and surrogate father. His passing in 1983 left an irreplaceable void. Bud Yorkin, returning to the director's chair after helming the first film (though the original was written and directed by the late Steve Gordon, whose absence is keenly felt), tries to incorporate Gielgud through brief, ghostly apparitions. It's a bittersweet touch, filmed shortly before Gielgud's health failed significantly, meant as a tribute. Yet, these moments, while poignant for fans, feel slightly tacked-on, highlighting rather than filling the comedic vacuum left by Hobson's peerless put-downs.
Dudley Moore absolutely was Arthur, and he slips back into the expensive shoes and infectious giggle easily enough. You still root for him, even when the script forces Arthur into situations that feel more contrived than comedic. His chemistry with Liza Minnelli remains warm, but Linda feels somewhat sidelined here, relegated mostly to being supportive while Arthur flails. The comedic burden falls almost entirely on Moore, and while he has moments, the effortless charm feels more... effortful this time around. The laughs are sparser, the situations less inspired. Remember how the original balanced Arthur's childlike innocence with genuine heart and sharp wit? Here, the scales tip towards broader, sometimes sillier territory that doesn't always land.
### Less Champagne, More Flat Soda
Unlike its predecessor, Arthur 2 wasn't exactly a critical darling or a box office sensation (pulling in around $14 million, a steep drop). It felt like a product of that 80s sequel machine – an attempt to cash in on beloved characters without quite understanding what made them work so well initially. There are no major practical effects blowouts here, naturally, but the production design still captures that late-80s New York vibe, contrasting Arthur's former luxury with his newfound, slightly grimy reality. It looks like an 80s comedy, complete with some questionable fashion choices, but the effervescence is missing. The soundtrack, too, lacks a memorable hit like Christopher Cross's iconic, Oscar-winning "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)".
Was it all bad? Not entirely. There's a certain nostalgic comfort in seeing Moore and Minnelli together again. Some scenes muster a chuckle, and the underlying sweetness of Arthur's character still peeks through. But the film struggles to justify its existence beyond being a contractual obligation or a studio's hope for repeat business. Watching it now feels like visiting old friends who’ve maybe lost a bit of their spark – you're happy to see them, but it's not quite the same party. My faded rental copy certainly didn't get rewound nearly as often as the original.
### Final Take
Arthur 2: On the Rocks is the cinematic equivalent of waking up the morning after a fabulous party with a mild headache and the vague sense that things were much better last night. It tries, bless its heart, and there's undeniable affection for the characters, but it can't escape the shadow of its near-perfect predecessor.
Rating: 4/10 - Justified by the significant drop in comedic quality, the strained plot, the awkward handling of Hobson's absence, and the failure to recapture the original's magic, despite the returning stars' best efforts.
VHS Verdict: A curio for die-hard Arthur fans or Dudley Moore completists, but largely a fizzy disappointment that proves some champagne cocktails are best left as a single, perfect serving.