Addams Family Values is so much better than the first film -- partly because Sonnenfeld, who made his directing debut with the first film, has refined his directing chops, but mostly because Rudnick has contributed a delightful, mock- macabre script. [19 Nov 1993, p.C1]
After the success that was the first film, a sequel was expected, and it actually appeared two years later. "Addams Family Values", moreover, kept the cast and crew of the first film and manages to match perfectly with its predecessor, proving my theory that the sequels are generally good if they keep the cast, the director and the screenwriter of the initial film .
The central core of the cast is the same as the first film and manages to keep up with expectations. Raul Julia and Angelica Huston maintained the roles of Gomez and Mortícia Addams, and I think that with these two films, the two actors reach the top of their artistic career and their notoriety. Christina Ricci also maintained the role of Wednesday and, as expected, saw the relevance of her character increased in this film, corresponding with a brilliant performance. Christopher Lloyd is also in great shape here, and plays brilliantly with the villain, Joan Cusack, in one of the most remarkable works of her career.
Good production values also deserve a brief comment. The Addams' house is wonderful in its unique way, the sets and costumes are excellent and totally go against what we could expect and the soundtrack is effective and competent.
Like the first ADDAMS FAMILY, this continuation of the macabre clan's misadventures is really just a string of sight gags and one-liners. The good news is that the one-liners are much funnier than the first time, mainly thanks to the increased input of screenwriter Paul Rudnick.
It's hard to enjoy the same joke told a hundred times over. After so many gags about the burial of live cats or putting baby Pubert on a guillotine, it's clear that the movie has little else on its mind. It's enough to make Charles Addams turn in his . . . well, you get the idea. [19 Nov 1993, p.D3]
By zeroing in on the eldest Addams child, the new Addams Family 2 exposes just how clunky and wrongheaded its take on Wednesday is — and what the animated movies get wrong about the family in general.
Julia, Huston, Ricci, and Workman are all excellent in their roles (Carol Kane as Granny Addams seems little more than an afterthought), but they're unfortunately not enough to save this elongated mess. If you haven't yet seen the first film, rent that instead, or, better yet, go pick up a volume of the original Addams cartoons.
I absolutely loved the first movie. I bought this two days ago, and I was really impressed, because this is a really funny movie. it is possibly better than the first but only just. If there are any flaws, they are minor, but why is the rating for this movie so low? 6.2? It is much better than that! I can name other great movies that have fallen victim to low ratings. The humour was wonderful. Black humour suits the Addams Family perfectly. As for the acting, it was superb. Christina Ricci tops them all as Wednesday, but that doesn't mean that the others weren't good either. Raul Julia and Angelica Huston are note perfect as Gomez and Morticia. To be honest, I think that Gomez is Julia's best role. Christopher Lloyd was born to play Fester, just as entertaining as he was in Back To The Future and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Jimmy Workman was also really good, and the underrated actress Joan Cusack took me completely by surprise as Debbie. That baby was cute too. If there was one minor flaw, it would be that you don't see much of Cousin It and Margaret. As I'm probably not able to write a review for the first film, what I've said for this film, applies pretty much also for that too. I give this a 9/10, same with the first, but avoid the New Addams Family and unless you're a Tim Curry fan, avoid Addams Family Reunion also. 9/10. Bethany Cox
Almost just as good as the original. I love the storyline of Wednesday and Pugsley at a summer camp, and even though I'm not the biggest Joan Cusack fan, she was great in this.