
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 11, 1994                    TAG: 9406100083 
SECTION: DAILY BREAK                     PAGE: B3    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT ENTERTAINMENT WRITER 
DATELINE: 940611                                 LENGTH: Medium

``SLICKERS II'' LACKS THE HEART OF ORIGINAL

{LEAD} ``CITY SLICKERS II: The Legend of Curly's Gold,'' like so many Hollywood sequels, is more a repeat than a continuation. The 1991 hit, about three stress-strained guys who fight midlife crisis by going on a cattle roundup, was among the more humane and likable comedies in years. When it grossed more than $100 million, the big question was ``Where will the boys go next?''

Given the level of Hollywood imagination, it is not a surprising answer. They've gone back to the same place.

{REST} Winding down the same Western trail may be safe and cajoling, but it's hardly anything to get excited about. Only a decision to play it safe could have resulted in ``City Slickers II'' returning West.

It would have helped if they had fumbled and mumbled about some new, exotic, locale, like the Amazon or Tahiti - someplace that would, again, challenge their city ways. Fish-out-of-water comedies don't work too well if the fish is back in the same water.

Nonetheless, the new film is likable in the same warming way as was the first edition. We miss classic comedy routines, like the memorable VCR instructions, from the first film. Instead, we have borderline-tasteless bathroom jokes that are not in the same class with the earlier film. The original managed to be a family film without being either bland or cute. The new film aims for adventure, with comedy schtick tacked on almost as an afterthought.

Mitch Robbins, again played by Billy Crystal (who also co-wrote and produced) is back in the city. His job is great. He's in love with his wife (Patricia Wettig) again. There's no reason for him to wander, until he finds a treasure map hidden in Curly Washburn's old cowboy hat. Also, he thinks he may be going crazy because he keeps seeing Curly, who died in the first film.

Jack Palance, who won an Oscar for the first film, has returned as Duke, the sea-faring twin brother of his earlier character. It's a flimsy excuse, but thank goodness that they did it anyway. Palance, hissing out his lines as if he had contempt for everyone, is a delightfully irascible comedic character and the best thing in this film.

The look and scope of ``II'' is slick and expensive - complete with vast Western vistas and that expansive music score, composed by Marc Shaiman, from the first film. There is even a thunderous horse stampede.

For better or worse, ``II'' often looks and acts more like an adventure film than it does a comedy.

Jon Lovitz (from ``Saturday Night Live'' and ``A League of Their Own'') has replaced Bruno Kirby in the threesome. He plays Billy's sponging brother who is obsessed with the ``Godfather'' movies. It seems, at first, that something really comedic will be done with this reference, but it is dropped.

Daniel Stern, again playing a hapless lout troubled by divorce blues, is quite likable and displays the best comic timing in the film. His rattlesnake routine is among the film's more physical bits. (Or is that bites?)

If you liked ``City Slickers,'' you'll probably like ``II,'' even though it has less heart and more bombast than real laughs.

by CNB