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Fletch Lives (1989)

Rate: 4
Viewed: 10/03, 3/25

FletchL
3/25: After watching Fletch Lives, I wanted to know who edited the piece of shit, and it turned out to be Richard A. Harris.

He may have either improved over time or been made to look competent by Conrad Buff who had done solid films such as Jagged Edge, Side Out, Antwone Fisher, and Tears of the Sun. The editing job Harris did for The Golden Child is exactly the same as Fletch Lives: too many quick cuts, resulting in poorly put-together scenes. At one point, Julianne Phillips’ face was shown like twenty times in the span of a few minutes.

As for the film itself, it isn't as good as the original. Since the sequel made a lot of money, I'm only surprised that they didn't go for third part. A lot has to do with the quality of writing. It's so average with an amusing joke here and there. Largely, why Fletch worked is the improvisation Chevy Chase did, and it's easy to tell the spontaneity in numerous scenes. He also had that wiseass personality clicking on all cylinders. But this one...it's simply not there. At least, I like the two new pseudonyms used by Fletch: Billy Gene King and "Elmer Gantry...Elmer Fudd Gantry."

The story is okay for the most part but isn't on the same level as the other one. What's interesting is the concept of a biblical theme park. There used to be some such as Holy Land Experience, Heritage USA, and Holy Land USA in Orlando, Florida; Fort Mill, South Carolina; and Waterbury, Connecticut, respectively, that ran for several decades or so before being shuttered permanently due to fiscal mismanagement, scandals, and/or dwindling interest.

All in all, if you liked Fletch, prepare to be disappointed by the sequel.