Inspector Gadget 2

This produced-for-video sequel to the surprise 1999 box office hit reeks of desperation, from its B-team replacement cast--French Stewart in for Matthew Broderick, who has way better things to do--to its reliance on "wowser" special effects and mechanical slapstick. Elaine Hendrix costars as G2, an advanced mechanical crime fighter who threatens to make the hapless and accident-prone Inspector Gadget obsolete. Meanwhile, the Claw (Australian actor Tony Martin) escapes from prison and hatches his "10 days to success plan" to steal trillions in gold. Gadget is aided by his wisecracking Gadgetmobile, his resourceful niece Penny (Caitlin Wachs) and his heroic dog, Brain. This G-rated clunker is more cartoonish than the original film, as well as more family friendly, but it's hard to imagine anyone over the age of eight gearing up to watch it. Not recommended. (K. Lee Benson)