More American Graffiti

Rating:
Summary: A worthy sequel to the original
Review: My brother and I discovered the original American Graffiti by accident. Our parents had taken our younger sister to see a G-rated movie that we both thought we had outgrown, so we opted for another movie instead. I don't even remember what the other movie was anymore, but it was so bad that we left after fifteen minutes. American Graffiti was showing down the hall and we went in to watch that instead. At that time I think it's safe to say we considered it to be the coolest movie we'd ever seen. I completely missed out on More American Graffiti when it was in the theatres, but caught it on a late night cable run a few years later. I thought the update idea was cool and it took me forever to even realize that Richard Dreyfus wasn't in the movie. I thought it was an average movie, but the thing that sealed the deal for me was the scene where John Milner has wrecked his car just before the final showdown with the "factory" team. All of his local rivals pitch in to get his car running so that he doesn't miss his big chance. Just when it looks hopeless and the track announcer is telling everyone that he'll have to forfeit, he is spotted running his top fuel rail down the breakdown lane on the way to the starting line. I almost fell off of the couch. I completely bought into it. Nice concept, nice movie, but the final race scene really pushed it over the edge for me. (What can I say? I'm a car guy.)

Rating:
Summary: A worthy sequel to the original
Review: My brother and I discovered the original American Graffiti by accident. Our parents had taken our younger sister to see a G-rated movie that we both thought we had outgrown, so we opted for another movie instead. I don't even remember what the other movie was anymore, but it was so bad that we left after fifteen minutes. American Graffiti was showing down the hall and we went in to watch that instead. At that time I think it's safe to say we considered it to be the coolest movie we'd ever seen. I completely missed out on More American Graffiti when it was in the theatres, but caught it on a late night cable run a few years later. I thought the update idea was cool and it took me forever to even realize that Richard Dreyfus wasn't in the movie. I thought it was an average movie, but the thing that sealed the deal for me was the scene where John Milner has wrecked his car just before the final showdown with the "factory" team. All of his local rivals pitch in to get his car running so that he doesn't miss his big chance. Just when it looks hopeless and the track announcer is telling everyone that he'll have to forfeit, he is spotted running his top fuel rail down the breakdown lane on the way to the starting line. I almost fell off of the couch. I completely bought into it. Nice concept, nice movie, but the final race scene really pushed it over the edge for me. (What can I say? I'm a car guy.)

Rating:
Summary: Nothing like as enjoyable as the original
Review: My wife and three kids sat down and watched American Graffiti (5 stars) then after a 20 minute interval we watched More American Graffiti. Initially pleased to see the characters a few years on but then the problems started. The plot kept jumping back and forth zig zagging to the end which fortunately was faithful to the original. Unlike the original which covered 24 hours, this film tries to cover three separate episodes of time; perhaps if the Director kept the plot chronological then it might have been easier to follow and leave the future still in front of us. Instead we are left somewhere back in the middle. It's almost Back to the Future but stuck in third gear.

Rating:
Summary: A hilarious movie with an awesome soundtrack!
Review: This has to be one of my all time favorite movies. I happened to see it before the original, and I must say that I happen to like it more. I like the way the movie is divided up, examining different years as lived by the different characters,yet they are all connected. I must also say that the soundtrack is absolutely incredible.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Sequel to Original Classic
Review: This is a fine follow-up.Some carp about this one.What some people don't understand is that this shows those same lovable characters in a different time(they are older, more tumultous events have transpired in America since 1962 such as assassination of JFK, Vietnam starts for real, psychedelic drugs take off, polarization of American society due to the escalation of Vietnam War, changing styles, values, attitudes, perceptions,etc.), and so naturally the film is not going to be the "same" as the first one.It was a perfect way to capture the transition of the characters to the latter part of the 60s. The soundtrack kicks too! Basically, everyone(except for Dreyfuss) is back for this one including Harrison Ford who is now Officer Bob Falfa. I liked the Vietnam scenes the best with Terry "Toad" Fields and Joe the Pharoh. I don't think there was any other way to pull a believable and successful sequel off than to do it the way Lucas and Co did(you will have to watch it to understand what I mean---be advised this is very different from the first one).Excellent film all the way.

Rating:
Summary: It's not all sunshine and flowers...
Review: What a great film. I have grown so fond of these characters over the years. So fond,in fact, that i was afraid to watch this movie. I had already mapped out the futures of all of the cast members. However, Mr. Lucas came through with flying colors. What a realistic and truthful telling of love and loss, happiness and sadness, Peace and war, and making up. Some of my favorite moments:

Our favorite geek, Terry the Toad, has a subtle,yet bittersweet, finale. He gains his freedom, and loses something just as important to him. And, 'car-man', John Milner, has a riveting performance as a drag strip racer. Every moment you wonder if he'll live or die. I was so floored, i didn't even notice the absence of Richard Dreyfus. His absence took nothing away from this movie. I will cherish this movie as much as i do the original. But, i think to fully enjoy this sequel, you must have an affection for the characters. I am way too biased.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Piece of Art Reflecting Life
Review: Years ago in high school I was a high school senior with good friends, girls, the mall and a sense that my dreams were just within my grasp. Now I'm in the Army, serving in Colorado and I'm twenty-three. What happened!?! My friends have similar stories. We're all scattered across the U.S. with new lives and new situations. Nothing exactly went to plan. We have good lives even if we didn't see them coming. American Graffiti is a great film that captures what it was like when things were simple and fun. More American Graffiti captures what happens when LIFE gets in the way. Its honest, depressing and funny. Its a roller coaster. Its Great! Its Scary! Its Life! Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to call up some old friends...