ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996 TAG: 9601150041
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
A few years ago, "Lawnmower Man" caused a certain amount of controversy when Stephen King demanded that his name be removed from the title because the film bore so little resemblance to his short story. He got what he wanted, and the movie went on to become a sleeper science-fiction hit. When it was released on video, with 30 minutes of extra footage in a "director's cut," it became an even bigger hit.
Don't be surprised if "Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace" doesn't do exactly the same thing in both media.
The film is actually less a sequel than a cinematic videogame. The pace, thin characters, simple plot and whiz-bang computer effects make it more game-like than such recent releases as "Mortal Kombat" and "Street Fighter." And since just about everything and everyone had been blown up at end of the first film, writer-director Farhad Mann felt free to tell another story.
Turns out that Jobe Smith, the retarded man turned genius, wasn't really dead. He's back, minus legs and played by Matt Frewer. In the near future, evil businessman Kevin Conway has Jobe hooked up with something called the Kyron chip, which he stole from the good Dr. Trace (Patrick Bergin).
Behind all the jargony technobabble that they spout, it appears that they're out to use the Kyron chip to take over cyberspace and the world! Will young Peter (Austin O'Brien) and his three teen pals (and their dog) be able to stop him?
Viewed simply as an sci-fi adventure aimed at young audiences, there's nothing wrong with the film. It's quick, colorful and the violence isn't excessive.
Almost all of the key cast and crew members have experience in the home video side of the business where they don't waste money making movies. Every penny that was spent on this one is up there on the screen. The computer effects are even more sophisticated and flashy than they were in the original, and those are what fans want to see.
The acting is competent throughout, and the pace is so quick that large parts of the story may well have been held back, possibly to be replaced on cassette.
So, count on "Lawnmower Man 2" to do good business in theaters now, and in six months or so, it'll do the same at the local video store.
Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace **1/2
A New Line Cinema release playing at the Salem Valley 8. 90 min. Rated PG-13 for violence, strong language.
LENGTH: Medium: 52 linesby CNB