The Gods Must Be Crazy II
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Charming sequel retains madcap whimsy of family classic.
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What's the Story?
Ann Taylor (Lena Farugia), a big city lawyer, is sent to Africa for business, where through a series of mishaps, she ends up stranded in the bush with a zoologist (Hans Strydom) who knows plenty about wildlife but less about relating to real people. Meanwhile, Xixo (N!xau), the native bushman who was the hero of the original The Gods Must Be Crazy film, returns when his children find themselves stuck in a poacher's truck and are transported far from home. These stories intersect -- along with that of two bumbling soldiers trying to capture each other -- and once again Xixo's deep understanding of the wild world helps him save the day.
Is It Any Good?
THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY II follows the same formula as the first movie, and while it's not exactly original, everything that worked the first time is just as charming here. N!xau is a delight, again, as the bushman who can't fathom what these city folks are doing so far out in the bush, and clearly so far out of their element. The poachers and the soldiers are just as buffoonish, making them easy targets for the film's broad comedy and easily fooled by a bushman who knows how to read the hidden language of the natural world.
Director Jamie Uys, who also helmed the original film, is essentially retelling the same story, but he knows how well it worked the first time around and understands how to press the same buttons. The result is a delightfully absurd tale that pokes fun at the modern world and makes it clear that traditional education may be useful in big city, but isn't much good when trying to understand the parts of the world that have yet to be tamed by man.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Ann's education. What does she learn in the jungle? How do her views change during the film?
How does this sequel compare to the original film? What do the two films say about the modern consumer society?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 13, 1990
- On DVD or streaming: June 1, 2004
- Cast: Hans Strydom, Lena Farugia
- Director: Jamie Uys
- Studio: Sony Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Wild Animals
- Run time: 109 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: February 24, 2023
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