Sub-par, Unnecessary Film

Rating: Null/10 (30 August 2002)

After seeing this (and The Hustler), I thought: why was there a sequel? The Hustler was perfect by itself, and it really didn't need a "Tom Cruise 80's Movie" to be its sequel. The plot was overdone at times, and way underdone at other times. Some of the camera shots were inventive, but did not help the film one bit. Surprising disappointment at Scorsese's The King of Comedy. The acting was also a major problem. Tom Cruise swinging a pool-stick around kung fu style with "Werewolf of London" playing throughout was silly, and even Paul Newman -- possibly the greatest living actor -- was not at his best. If he did not win an Academy Award for The Hustler, then this performance did not deserve it. I'm not saying he wasn't good, because he was, but his given far better performances.