The titular hero St. Bernard finds his big love in “Beethoven 2nd,” the less original and less charming sequel to the box-office hit, “Beethoven.”
Beethoven meets his soul mate Missy, another St. Bernard, in the park and the two fall for each other right away. But Missy is held captive by Regina (Debi Mazar, underused), a spiteful femme trying to leverage get easy ransom money from her wimpy former husband.
Fortunately for the dogs, their visit was long enough for Missy to have a litter of pups. At first, Regina decides to drown the pups, but she has a change of heart when she learns of their market value.
Later, the Newton children (Christopher Castile and Sara Rose Karr) rescue them, and the entire family heads off for a Montana resort with Beethoven and his pups.
Regina and her sleazy lover (Christopher Penn) go to the resort for the final showdown.
The movie appealed largely to very young kids and hardcore dog lovers.
Oscar Nominations: 1
Song: The Day I Fall in Love,” music and lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, James Ingram, and Clif Magness
Oscar Awards: None
Oscar Context:
The winner of Best Song was Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia,” from Jonathan Demme’s AIDS drama, “Philadelphia.”
Credits
Rating: PG.
Running time: 89 Minutes.
Directed by Rod Daniel and Dan Goldberg.
Released: June 1, 1994.
DVD: July 21, 1998
Cast
Charles Grodin as George Newton
Bonnie Hunt as Alice Newton
Nicholle Tom as Ryce Newton
Christopher J. Castile as Ted Newton
Sarah Rose Karr (II) as Emily Newton
Debi Mazar as Regina
Christopher Penn as Floyd
Ashley Hamilton as Taylor
Jordan Bond as Newspaper Boy
Virginia Capers as Chemistry Teacher
Maury Chaykin as Cliff Klamath
Jeff Corey as Janitor
