Film Review: Another Stakeout (1993)

Sequels nobody needed and nobody wanted are sometimes film that had certain chance of success if they were original. Instead, they are ruined by inevitable comparisons with their predecessors and failed attempts to repeat the original magic. This is what happened to Another Stakeout, 1993 action comedy by John Badham, sequel to Stakeout, the last true big hit of his career.

Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez return in the roles of Chris Lecce and Bill Reimers, two Seattle police detectives who are assigned to difficult, risky and often unglamorous tasks like routine stakeouts. One such task starts after Luella “Lu” Delano (played by Cathy Moriarty) barely survives spectacular assassination attempt in Las Vegas while being held in protective custody by police as potential witness against powerful mobster. Losing confidence in authorities’ ability to protect her, she escapes and goes into hiding. Lecce and Reimers are informed that she might be sheltered by two of her old friends – Brian O’Hara (played by Dennis Farina) and his wife Pam (played by Marcia Strassman). They are ordered to stake out O’Hara’s summer house from neighbouring property, where they are supposed to pose as father and son. Ambitious assistant district attorney Gina Garrett (played by Rosie O’Donnell) joins them in order to pose as Chris’ wife. Problems soon arise because Chris and Gina can’t stand each other, while Gina’s rottweiler “Archie” creates mayhem in the neighbourhood.

Badham was reunited for the sequel not only with two major members of the cast, but also with screenwriter Jim Kouf, who apparently tried to make new film look as similar as the old one, while adding something different. The main difference is more emphasis on comedy, unlike Stakeout, which, despite being incredibly funny, functioned well as serious and sometimes realistic police thriller. The emphasis on comedy was partially mandated by 1990s Hollywood’s desire towards “gentler and kinder” content embodied in PG-13 censorship rating. Another concession towards new trends and norms was introduction of female protagonist, played by Rosie O’Donnell, comedienne who was becoming big star. With so many scenes featuring Dreyfuss and O’Donnell comically sparing with each other, Another Stakeout, especially in the middle, looks too much like overlong pilot episode for a sitcom rather than genuine action film. While Badham shows his talent for action scenes, this tends to happen very sporadically; the assassination scene in the beginning is very spectacular and features a lot of pyrotechnics, while the final showdown is weak and anti-climactic. Cast is mostly doing solid work, especially Dreyfuss and Estevez who maintain good “buddy buddy” chemistry from the first film. Rosie O’Donnell, on the other hand, is rather uneven in her performance, likeable in some scenes, and insufferable in others. Dennis Farina, character actor specialised in playing villains or tough guys, obviously has great fun playing ordinary husband. Cathy Moriarty is completely wasted in weak and poorly written role, in which she inexplicably transforms from scared damsel in distress into action heroine. Miguel Ferrer is equally wasted in the role of assassin. Madeleine Stowe, one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation, who played romantic interest so well in Stakeout is here reduced to uncredited cameo and used in terribly uninspired subplot. Another Stakeout might be slightly entertaining to viewers who haven’t seen the previous film, while the rest will see it as an utter disappointment.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

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