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So, on the advice of another user, I decided to check this film out. I've gone from "Grumpy Old Men", to "Grumpier old Men", and "Out to Sea". Yes, I'm really behind on older movies.
So I decided to try out the 1968 first film. Classic and perhaps even iconic music by Neal Hefti (outside of score fans and fans of TOC, I don't know how iconic it really is anymore, to be honest -- time is killing iconic music). The movie, however, boring as sin. Not engaging. The best thing about it was a brief shot of the blonde girl in the green dress' ass (outside the score, of course). 26:11 in, I abandoned the film.
Moved on to the 1998 sequel. I knew this would be a different animal, and would be laced with a no doubt delightful Silvestri score. Results:
These are the same characters from the first film, yet they are not at all what they were in the first film, they are more like their "Grumpy Old Men" characters. Honestly, that's rather what I was hoping for, since I didn't like the 1968 versions. Sadly, this was the their last film together; both actors did a little more acting and then passed away in a few short years.
Right off the bat Silvestri makes sure to musically tie the universe together by having the opening logos features Hefti's theme. The theme makes another appearance again as the two leads finally get back together. Ultimately it makes six appearances in the film. Orchestrations by William Ross.
There was a short Edel release of the score back in the day, just over thirty minutes long. My loose guess is the score is a little over twice as long in the film.
The film, however, is a real chore. Yes, it's actually funny as opposed to the 1968 first film, but it's a string of comedic situations that just never stop, never allows the humor to breath like "Grumpy Old Men" and even "Grumpier Old Men"; it quickly becomes irritating not even half way in. Perhaps the only enjoyable parts of the film were the duo ending up back at the police station having to explain their story to one of the Bob's from "Office Space". The worst part: the awful redneck girls and cliched violent redneck boyfriends.
I began playing the film at 1.25 speed. Ended up at 1.75 to get through this slug faster. I even started skipping parts. It just wouldn't end. One contrivance after another to pad the running time.
Technically speaking, this was actually the third film, with there being a TV movie that didn't start either Walter or Jack, but two other actors playing the leads (scored by Charles Fox). But it is the second theatrical film, so I guess it counts.
"Grumpy Old Men", "Grumpier Old Men", "Out to Sea" -- all good recommendations. This … should be shown to terrorists at Club Gitmo as torture.
And as we're told comedy scores (with some exceptions, like the hotcakes-selling "Ferris Bueller's Day Off") don't sell well, it's highly unlikely this'll ever get a deluxe treatment. But if it does, count me in.
Oh, and speaking of nice composer credits, Alan gets a beautiful background scenery of a sunny day and nature and a nice house. Paused at the right moment, it's really a nice looking composer credit.
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