Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Commit a Crime..."Another Stakeout"

His first dead wife?!

The Story:

Six years have passed and detectives Bill (Richard Dreyfuss) and Chris (Emilio Estevez) are still at it.  This time, the duo has to partner with an Assistant D.A. (Rosie O'Donnell) as they watch a vacationing couple in the event that a witness that has fled from Federal Protection might show up seeking refuge.  Naturally, the first rule of the stakeout is to not come in contact with the people being watched.  Five minutes after their arrival, the gig is up, and a comedy of errors ensues.

Okay, the first movie was good.

I think I might have to give the edge to the second one for being just a little bit better.

Or at least, fundamentally, different.

Whereas the first movie played up the action with bits of humor, this time they go for the funny, and add some action in where it fits.  That nearly all of the principles, cast and director (John Badham) returned and made such a great movie is a testament to all involved.  Since most movies simply try and retread the success of their first outing, this movie practically changed up everything, aside from the need for a stakeout.

That said, there are some hysterical lines, or lines delivered and reacted to by some great actors, among those, the always great Dennis Farina as one of the people being watched.  The dinner party remains a high point for all involved in the movie.  Hilarious dialogue and reactions throughout.

:)

Dreyfuss and Estevez pick up as if there had never been six years missing in their partnership, and they play off each other so well.  Couple them with O'Donnell who neither one wants to be partnered with, and it's a great dynamic that unfolds throughout. 

Couple that with Chris trying to not lose Maria (Madeleine Stowe) during the course of the operation, and it's fun watching them all have to react to a situation that none of them want to be in.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I own it, and it has been forgotten about over the last decade, but for a 20 year old movie, it still holds up, and it's still very funny.