Okay, fellow tape travelers, dim the lights, maybe adjust the tracking just so, because tonight we're pulling a strange one from the back shelves of VHS Heaven. Remember browsing the aisles, maybe past the big blockbuster hits, and stumbling upon something familiar… yet… different? That’s the feeling you get when your eyes land on the box for Addams Family Reunion (1998). It's got the name, it's got the creepy, kooky vibes on the cover, but popping this tape in reveals something… else entirely.
This isn't the gothic grandeur of the Barry Sonnenfeld films we rented religiously. No, this direct-to-video offering feels like finding a bootleg action figure at a flea market – the colours are a bit off, the plastic feels cheaper, but hey, it’s still sort of the character you recognize. Conceived primarily as a backdoor pilot for a potential new TV series on the Fox Family Channel (which eventually morphed into The New Addams Family series with yet another cast shuffle, though Carel Struycken faithfully returned as Lurch), this reunion stands apart, a curious footnote in the Addams legacy.
### A Whole New Creepy Crew (Almost)
Let's address the elephant in the crypt: the cast. Gone are the peerless Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston. Instead, we get the formidable Tim Curry stepping into Gomez's tango shoes and Daryl Hannah donning Morticia's slinky black dress. Now, Curry is a legend (bold names, remember?). From Rocky Horror to Clue (1985) to IT (1990), the man commits. His Gomez is… energetic. He throws himself into the role with manic glee, perhaps leaning more into broad comedy than Julia’s suave absurdity. It’s a different Gomez, certainly, maybe a bit too frantic, lacking that effortless continental charm, but you can't fault Curry's enthusiasm. Daryl Hannah as Morticia feels more jarring. She looks the part, certainly, but lacks Huston’s ethereal grace and razor-sharp delivery. It often feels like an impersonation rather than an interpretation. It’s a tough gig filling those iconic roles, especially on what was clearly a tighter budget.
Thankfully, we retain Carel Struycken's imposing Lurch and Christopher Hart's dextrous Thing, providing a welcome thread of continuity. The kids are recast (Nicole Fugere as Wednesday, Jerry Messing as Pugsley), as is Fester, played here by Patrick Thomas who delivers a performance that, well, exists. The main plot revolves around a genealogical mix-up, sending our Addams clan to a reunion for the painfully normal, suburban "Adams" family, headed by the perpetually exasperated Ed Begley Jr. (a master of playing uptight squares).
### That Made-for-TV Feeling
Directed by Dave Payne, who mostly worked in the horror B-movie trenches (Reeker), the film sheds much of the gothic atmosphere that made the theatrical releases so visually rich. The lighting is brighter, the sets feel more functional than fantastical, and the overall tone skews younger, leaning into slapstick and less sophisticated wordplay. Remember how the Sonnenfeld films managed to be both kid-friendly and wickedly adult? This reunion aims squarely for the family crowd, losing some of that delicious dark edge in the process. Retro Fun Fact: The script, penned by Rob Kerchner and Scott Sandin (known more for direct-to-video fare), feels distinctly like late-90s television writing – predictable plot beats, broader characterizations, and jokes that land with a noticeable thud sometimes.
You won't find the elaborate, practical-effect driven set pieces of the big-screen outings here. The effects – Thing scurrying about, Gomez's occasional cartoonish feat – feel more constrained, suitable for the small screen budget it was designed for. The makeup is decent, particularly on Lurch and Fester, but lacks the detailed artistry that truly brought the characters to life previously. It serves its purpose, but rarely elevates the material. Does anyone else recall that slightly flatter look common to late 90s TV movies, even on a decent CRT? This film lives in that aesthetic space.
### So, Why Dust Off This Tape?
Look, let's be honest. Addams Family Reunion isn't a hidden gem in the traditional sense. It was poorly received upon release, failed to launch the intended series in this specific form, and is often regarded as the black sheep (a particularly pale, confused sheep) of the Addams adaptations. Compared to the stylish wit of the 1991 and 1993 films, it feels undeniably lesser.
However… there's a certain bizarre charm to it, viewed through the lens of VHS nostalgia. It’s a fascinating artifact of studio attempts to extend a franchise on the cheap. And honestly? Tim Curry is never boring. Watching him go full-tilt bonkers as Gomez, even if it’s not the Gomez, provides moments of genuine, if slightly bewildered, entertainment. There's also the simple curiosity factor – seeing these actors tackle these roles, witnessing this odd deviation in the Addams timeline. It’s like finding that weird, off-model cereal box toy you forgot you had; it’s not great, but it sparks a specific, peculiar memory. I definitely remember renting this from Blockbuster back in the day, probably on a 5-movies-for-5-nights deal, lured by the familiar name and Curry's face on the cover, only to be met with... this.
### The Verdict
Addams Family Reunion is undeniably a product of its time and its direct-to-video constraints. It lacks the budget, the style, and the sharp writing of its theatrical predecessors. The casting choices are debatable, and the tone often feels more like a generic family sitcom than a true Addams Family escapade.
Rating: 3 / 10
Justification: While Curry's commitment is admirable and the presence of Struycken and Hart offers slight comfort, the film largely misses the mark. The writing is weak, the direction is functional at best, and it fails to capture the unique magic of the Addams clan. It earns a couple of points for sheer curiosity value and Curry's gonzo energy, but it's mostly a misfire best appreciated as a strange relic of 90s home video.
Final Thought: This tape is the definition of a "Wait, they made another one?" discovery in the video store – a weird, watered-down echo of greatness, notable mostly for its jarring differences and Tim Curry giving it his all, bless his heart. Approach with heavily adjusted expectations, preferably late at night with questionable snacks.