 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Beethoven's 2nd
- Review Date: April 14, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1993
Common Sense Media says
A bland but enjoyable good time.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this sequel has some serious moments. Young Ted is poor at sports and so unwanted for the team that the other kids pick a girl before picking him. Mr. and Mrs. Newton are having financial troubles. A young child asks her father where babies come from, and his failure to answer may prompt viewing children to pose the same question. And in a very out-of-place scene, older daughter Ryce is nearly raped by a boy she has a crush on.
What's the story?
It's love at first sight when Beethoven meets Missy, a female St. Bernard, in the park. He helps her escape from her owner's ex-wife Regina and her boyfriend Floyd, who plans to use Missy as a tool to negotiate for more alimony. A few months later, the Newton kids track Beethoven to the basement of Regina's building, where Missy has given birth to puppies. The kids get Beethoven and the pups away just before Regina finds Missy. Regina wants the puppies back after she learns that they're worth a lot of money. Though the kids try to keep the puppies a secret, skipping school in order to keep them fed, Mr. and Mrs. Newton find out about them. Reluctantly agreeing to keep them, Mr. Newton takes the family on a Fourth of July camping trip. Little does he know that Regina and Floyd are staying nearby.
Is it any good?
If one St. Bernard is cute, how about six of them? That's the idea behind this sequel, which is in some ways better than the first, at least for parents. For one thing, Beethoven isn't quite so sloppy as he was last time. And father George Newton (the typically droll Charles Grodin) isn't treated like such an idiot. An 11-year-old viewer liked Beethoven's 2nd better than the first for the cute romance between Beethoven and Missy.
Like the previous film, Beethoven's 2nd is thinly plotted, essentially only an excuse to put these dogs onscreen. It was in poor taste to include a scene in which daughter Ryce is nearly raped by a drunken boy on whom she has a crush in a movie otherwise suitable for young children.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the film's adult themes. How did Ryce get away from her attacker? What role did alcohol play in the attack? How would you handle yourself in that situation?
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
they could have chosen more wisely a few scenes
THINK directors, think. This movie is supposedly for young children. Why then, have a scene where a young teen girl chooses to go to a party without asking her parents, is offered alcohol (which she refuses), is enticed to go "upstairs to see the view", then is kissed and the boy locks the room, insinuating that he was going to force her into something sexual (rape?). Wow, by miracle, the dog helps her escape. What? This is way to important an issue to bring up in this kind of movie.
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Kid, 10 years old
September 2, 2009
AGE
BEETHOVEN ROCKS
I think this movie is so cool! The best part was when they were going to drwon the puppies "PUT THE PUPPIES DOWN" I WAS CHANTING.It was so funny when beethoven hit the guy in the ball!The funny thing is i'm lising to beethoven on my new ipod i got three day ago;)
What other families should know:
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Parent of 3 and 5 year old
April 15, 2010
AGE
Bland comedy marred further by bad editorial choices
Narrowly missed date rape scene is completely out of place in a movie for small children. Also, the "bad guys" in the movie intend to drown some puppies - pretty upsetting for small children.
What other families should know:
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Adult
November 6, 2009
AGE
Re: they could have chosen more wisely a few scenes
I completely agree with mkgs. Also, when Beethoven saves Ryce from getting raped, he does so by accident. Ryce tied him to the post supporting the balcony when she went into the house, and several boys were on top of the balcony pouring beer on him. Finally in anger, Beethoven pulls the leash so hard that the balcony collapses. and the back wall of the bedroom is torn off. What on earth is this doing in a kids' movie? Little children are too young to know about drugs and alcohol, and those who are old enough will not appreciate the juvenile humor of the film.
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Rod Daniel |
| Cast: | Bonnie Hunt, Chris Penn, Debi Mazar |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 87 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 15, 1993 |
| DVD release date: | June 3, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mild language and unsuitable teen behavior. |
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