Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988)

the audience applauded

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

If you loved "Arthur", then you'll like the sequel, it's not as bad as you've been led to believe. I enjoy it mainly because it's like catching up with old friends you haven't seen in a while. Things go awry for Arthur here, and all seems lost. Will there be a happy ending? Watch it and find out.

I saw this film a few years ago and wondered why would anyone hate this film and give it such a bad review?, Arthur 2 On The Rocks was a decent conclusion to the story of the most lovable millionaire.Liza Minnelli's performance as Linda was as usual terrific and comical, While watching the movie you get to feel for the main characters as they face being broke,trying to fix an apartment and have children. I loved Dudley Moore's role as Arthur as you see him finally facing life and most of all realizing that having money isn't everything.Since we last saw Arthur (Moore) he was on the verge of an arranged marriage to socialite Susan Johnson (Sikes) however he chose to marry his true love and keep his money.It's a few years later Arthur & his lovely wife Linda (Minnelli) are as happy as ever. When it's discovered that Linda can't have children they plan to adopt with the help of Mrs. Canby (Bates) an adoption worker. However a dark cloud soon comes around.Burt Johnson (Elliott) has seized control of the Bach company and as part of a revenge scheme forces Arthur's family to cut him off financially unless he divorces his wife and marries Susan. This film had taken a serious turn for Arthur as he finally decided to sober up and fight back to get his family and what belongs to him. I won't spoil the ending all I can tell you is that it's a happy one.

So (Arthur - 1981) was a nice movie which had a lot of reasons that made it a classic (fine stars with fine acting, simple script, good comedy, impressive theme song,…). Plus how it succeeded scrumptiously also, to become one of the 1980s' big hits; and that's, regrettably, one main reason for the sin it left 7 years later ! They wanted to exploit that massive success (naturally), save (Dudley Moore) from some not-very-good movies he was in (sadly), and delude the poor audience as well as the fans of the first movie with that big vacuum (effectively !) It's surely not a decent sequel for such a character, despite its smart idea which had been handled stupidly. In fact, to put that forever brat drunk millionaire into sudden poverty is one heck of a talented irony, but they didn't go much, or at all, with that.It's not a whole movie, since the journey of the hero is so idiot and incomplete with nearly nothing to do along the way, totally nothing to change in him, and with his fortune comes back to him easily and provocatively in the end !!Not to mention the bad feeling it causes about the original movie, since Arthur is still the same alcoholic lost, and how his wonderful love story with (Linda /Liza Minnelli) didn't serve him right (Good punch for all the happy endings I suppose !).There is naught to make you laugh or enjoy. Actually some situations, such as cleaning the cars' glass, almost approached it to the threshold of the painful tragedy ! As odd as it may seem, there isn't anything here to be watched. Everything seemed out of gloss. It has strange sense of laziness all over it. The script miscarried any try to make thrilling time, touching moments, some comedy (or even situations to make comedy !). For instance, look at another movie with nearly the same plot (Mel Brocks' Life Stinks - 1991) and to where it went with its idea. With or without comparison, (Arthur 2) looked Like a TV program about anticipated sequel more than a real one.However, I must admire : (John Gielgud) in his sublime cameo, a few of (Moore)'s lines (appeared like his personal diligence), "Love Is My Decision" the theme song, and the father-in-law cries his eyes out; that was extremely funny yet so fast; like the way of writing this empty false comedy. It looked written by Arthur himself, as a spoiled person who doesn't want to fatigue himself at all.A good example of a flop that didn't attempt anything but being one.

Arthur 2 on the rocks is remembered by many as possibly the worst film of the entire 1980s. Perhaps it could claim the title of worst film ever made? What I do know for sure is that Arthur 2 on the rocks is a poorly conceived, written, and preformed shadow of a film that deserves no credit or respect. The fact that people on this board would actually believe this film should be rated above 1 star reflects badly on their ability to honestly critique a motion picture.Arthur 2 on the rocks was garbage when I was watched it as a ten year old, and nothing has redeemed it now that I am an adult 20 years later.Avoid.