I remember watching all of these with my parents when I was younger. This is the second in the series. Now I find it totally awful! The only reason I gave it a star more than the worst rating possible is because of Buddy Hackett, Luciana to a lesser extent, and Little Stevie Wonder. Most of the characters,
especially Don Rickles, were beyond annoying. At the opening of the movie Buddy Hackett appears to be a rich business magnate, but with his voice I just couldn't accept that. Then we find out he's an assistant to Luciana as a rich Italian Contessa, and that I can believe. I really think Buddy was the best thing about this movie! Actually I don't know why Frankie didn't go away with the Contessa instead of staying with Annette (Dee Dee). It was obvious Annette had heavy effects on her voice when she sang to make her voice bigger than it is, the audio was horribly dubbed for most of the group songs, and the Del Tones are lame. Little Stevie Wonder gives a great performance, but the camera isn't on him enough. So I recommend just watching the closing credits where Stevie performs again with early signs of his multi-instrumentalist talent, and Candy (the girl with magical powers in her hips) shakes away to the appropriate shattering conclusion.
June 4, 2008
