Analyze That

The shamefully low standards adhered to in this spiritless comedy sequel begin during the very first scene, in which a conversation is composed of two takes so conspicuously incongruous that the actors aren't even looking the same direction from second to second--and it's almost all downhill from there. The performances of Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal (reprising their roles as a mobster and his shrink) are apathetic shtick. The plot is the worst kind of emaciated contrivance (faking insanity, De Niro is released from prison into neurotic Crystal's custody, and havoc ensues). The jokes that aren't reheated leftovers from 1999's Analyze This are painfully trite (a cell phone rings at a funeral), painfully telegraphed (De Niro disrupts a Crystal family gathering in an open bathrobe), or just plain painful. Worst of all, director Harold Ramis actually tries to jerk some tears with maudlin soft-focus flashbacks of a happy childhood for De Niro's Mafioso. Oh, puh-leaze! Until the closing credit outtakes, the picture's only laughs stem from De Niro's attempts to seem crazy, singing cornball show tunes one minute and going catatonic the next. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Harold Ramis, an 11-minute making-of featurette, a M.A.D.E. (Mafioso Associate Degree Exam) trivia challenge, cast and crew filmographies, a trailer and DVD-ROM features. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a disappointing cookie-cutter sequel.] (R. Blackwelder)