Starring: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, Christopher Walken, Tia Carrere
Director: Stephen Surjik
Producer: Lorne Michaels
Screenplay: Mike Myers, Bonnie Turner, and Terry Turner
Music: Carter Burwell and various artists
Released by Paramount Pictures
The original Wayne's World boasted a number of clever skits and parodies glued together by a silly plotline, but at least it was something new, and a little different. Wayne's World 2 offers far fewer clever skits and parodies glued together by a nonsensical plotline, and there's absolutely nothing remotely new or different about this sequel. It isn't appalling, but it's not worth a trip to the theaters, either.
A year has passed since the last cinematic recounting of Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth's (Dana Carvey) adventures. Now, the two middle-aged post-teenagers have moved out of their parents' houses and into an abandoned doll factory. Neither has any idea what to do with his life, but Wayne's search begins through a dream-meeting with Jim Morrison. Our slumbering hero is told to organize a concert in Aurora, Illinois, and get as many acts as he can. "If you book them, they will come," promises Morrison. So, with Garth's help, Wayne gets to work setting things up.
There are some worthwhile moments in Wayne's World 2, but not enough to justify a feature-length movie. In the "humorous parodies" category are a lampooning of Hong Kong chop-socky films, take-offs of various old TV commercials (one of which occurs mid-way through the closing credits -- those who typically leave early, take notice), and a quick satire of a famous Jurassic Park scene. Equally amusing are sequences where Garth reacts with horror to the thought of listening to mellow musician Kenny G, and where Wayne, Garth, and friends impersonate the Village People. That's about it, though, and even the funniest parts aren't original.
In addition to Myers and Carvey, Tia Carrere also returns, although her character is relegated to a disjointed subplot that involves an underscripted slimeball record producer played by Christopher Walken (who does a marvellous job pretending that he's playing the heavy in a serious movie). There are a number of cameos -- Kim Basinger, Drew Barrymore, Heather Locklear, Charlton Heston, Kevin Pollack, Olivia D'Abo, Jay Leno, Rip Taylor, Aerosmith, and others -- but few of these star-studded moments provide anything truly creative. At times, Wayne's World 2 tries to be The Naked Gun, and falls flat on its face.
In the final analysis, Wayne's World 2 lacks inspiration, and uses ninety-five minutes trying to find some. As sequels go, this isn't the worst of the year, but Wayne and Garth's shtick is getting old. This is mass-market comedy at its least impressive.
© 1993, 1996 James Berardinelli