I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER RATING: 6 / 10 --> Barely recommendable
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Kevin Williamson-less sequel to the US$107 million original I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (7.5/10). This follow-up features the tightest shirt in the West, Jennifer Love Hewitt, a dash of Brandy (the singer, that is), and British director Danny Cannon at the helm, the man behind the abominable JUDGE DREDD (5.5/10).
PLOT: One year after the original summer murders in her hometown, Julie (Hewitt) has yet to overcome her fears, but has managed to move onto College, a new love interest and a new spicy roommate. After winning a trip to the Bahamas, Julie and her newfound friends find themselves in a similar predicament as the psycho fisherman with hook as hand, slices and guts his way to their extinction. Screams and murders ensue.
CRITIQUE: The paper-thin plot, the cheap thrills, and all of the clinging wet shirts that you could shake a stick at, make this follow-up to the slick original, a standard 90's horror fare without much to get excited about. Jennifer Love Hewitt returns as the girl who can never seem to button her blouse all the way to the top in this transparent sequel, which never seems to take off from its predecessor's solid base.
Many of the killings in this film are pretty obvious, while the plot seemed ridden with holes. For example, we are never told why the killer is killing everyone in his path in this one. Or for that matter, how everyone on the island suddenly disappears within a 24-hour period. Then again, horror films weren't exactly known for their Oscar worthy scripts, but this one just doesn't seem to bring anything original to the table. The dialogue was standard and dull, the acting was there but not fascinating, and the mystery of the killer wasn't as cool as it could have been.
Having said that, I did enjoy some of the murders in this film, Jeffrey Combs' standout performance as the pissed-off hotel owner, and the continued creepiness of the killer's fisherman's outfit. Also, Mekhi Phifer was funny as the horny guy who just can't seem to get laid, and Freddie Prinze actually acts a little in this one. Also, I will admit that I did not turn away at the umpteen shots of Jennifer Love Hewitt in her cut-off tight shirts and bikinis. For further analyses of her extremely ample assets, please visit this hilarious gentleman's homepage at http://jenlovehewitt.simplenet.com/ who minutely breaks her success down into a couple of specific prize possessions. This film also delivered the most rain in any film since the stunning SEVEN (8.5/10). All in all, it's okay as a generic piece of 90's horror game, with the cheap thrills and fun kills for showcase. On the other hand, it doesn't really attain any of the mystery of the original, but then again, most sequels don't. See it if you're bored and want to turn your brain off for a while and charge up your woodie, otherwise skip this limp sequel and munch on some snacks with the original classics SCREAM (8/10) and I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (7.5/10).
Little Known Facts about this film and its stars: Jennifer Love Hewitt once dated actor Joey Lawrence. She has released two CDs, "Let's Go Bang" in 1995 and "Love Songs" in 1992 under Love Hewitt. She also plays Sarah Reeves in TV "Party of Five" series, alongside the SCREAM (8/10) queen herself Neve Campbell. Jennifer's bust size is reported to be 36C. Jennifer also has her own romantic comedy screenplay "Marry Me Jane" in development at New Line Cinema. It's about a wedding planner who falls for one of her betrothed clients. Brandy also stars in her own TV sitcom called "Moesha". She went with the NBA's Kobe Bryant to his high school prom. Kobe is best known for jumping from high school straight to the NBA. Both Hewitt and Brandy have reportedly signed on for a third installment of Last Summer. Freddie Prinze Jr. considers his big break to be his four-line part in TV's "Family Matters" in which he played a punk kid who brought a gun to school.
Review Date: November 14, 1998
Director: Danny Cannon
Writers: Trey Callaway and Stephen Gaghan
Producers: William S. Beasley, Stokely Chaffin, Erik Feig and Neal H.
Moritz
Actors: Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James
Brandy Norwood as Karla Wilson
Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson
Mekhi Phifer as Tyrell Martin
Matthew Settle as Will Benson
Genre: Horror
Year of Release: 1998
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(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian
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