The Addams Family Reunion

A wretched produced-for-video nightmare. Unfortunately, the Addams Family movie franchise did not die with Raul Julia, who must be spinning in his grave about now. Tim Curry is at his hammy worst as Gomez with--yikes--Darryl Hannah as Morticia. Kevin McCarthy and Estelle Harris (Mrs. Costanza on Seinfeld) appear as Gomez's parents who have been stricken with "Waltz-heimer's disease," which causes a "tendency toward ordinary behavior and ballroom dancing." Since these are new and unfamiliar characters, wouldn't it have been funnier instead if the deranged Gomez suddenly found himself worrying about baseball scores and mowing the lawn? One fleeting moment that captures Charles Addams' maliciously mischievous spirit: vegetation that feasts on a succession of mailmen. Not recommended. (K. Lee Benson)