“Major League II” (1994) is a prime example of a sequel that rehashes the original in order to draw smiles from fans, but does nothing else new. It should be granted that a popular giphy has come from Pedro Cerrano (Dennis Haysbert) dancing around the bases mimicking holding his huge testicles. But overall, it’s not a good sign if that’s the film’s iconic image.
No longer the underdog
A year after the Indians’ division title (we’re told here they lost in the ALCS to the White Sox), the team is no longer an underdog. So director David S. Ward and writer R.J. Stewart contrive – I mean, devise – problems for the players.
For instance, now-financially successful Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) is caught between a previously unseen girlfriend he had split with (Michelle Burke) and a new one (Alison Doody) who oversees his endorsement deals.
To commemorate baseball’s All-Star Break, Reviews from My Couch is looking back at the films of the “Major League” franchise from July 13-15.
“Major League II” (1994)
Director: David S. Ward
Writers: R.J. Stewart (screenplay, story); Tom S. Parker, Jim Jennewein (story)
Stars: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Corben Bernsen
Sheen gives a performance reminiscent of the “Hot Shots!” films. That’s bad for a couple reasons: one, it’s too stiff; and two, we expect laughs. And they don’t come as fast here as in those parodies, or as in the first “Major League.”
There are some chuckles, though. They come from Bob Uecker in the broadcast booth, again getting to ad lib. A strong new addition to the Indians uber-fan group is Randy Quaid, whose heckles are mostly aimed at “Mild Thing” Vaughn.
Goofier action and arcs
The on-field action and clubhouse issues are goofier this time around. We do get more iconic images such as the manager (James Gammon) cheering from his hospital bed, claiming to the nurses that he’s absorbed in a British PBS show.
Another famous moment is Willie Mays Hayes jumping over the White Sox catcher, adding “I told you I wasn’t gonna slide.” Hayes is now played by Omar Epps, as Wesley Snipes had become an action star in the interim. In “Major League II’s” cleverest inside joke, we learn Hayes made a movie in the offseason, “Black Hammer, White Lightning,” co-starring Jesse Ventura.
The best new story thread finds a catcher (Eric Bruskotter, who could’ve played a young Jim Thome) unable to throw the ball back to the pitcher, a situation that mirrors Mackey Sasser’s.
By far the laziest thread finds the owner (Margaret Whitton) again hating her own team. But this time she has no motivation for doing so. That sums up “Major League II” pretty well. It’s still watchable, but less motivated.
In the real world, the Indians were starting to get good, and playing in a new stadium. It was time, to paraphrase Quaid’s heckler, to tear this saga down and put up a parking lot. Unfortunately, there would be one more entry.