K9 II

US, 1999, 91 minutes, Colour.
James Belushi, Christine Tucci, James Handy, Wade Williams.
Directed by Charles T. Kanganis.

K9 II is a belated sequel to the popular K9 of 1989. That film starred James Belushi and his police work with the dog, K9 (canine).

The film takes up the action ten years later, with James Belushi as Mike Dooley, lamenting the death of his wife, his not being able to function properly as a detective. He witnesses a robbery and becomes involved again, being criticised by his captain, encountering the attractive Sergeant Wells with her Dutch-trained dog, Zeus.

The film has less plot than the average hour episode of a series. The crime is fairly basic, a stalker who resented Dooley’s wife rejecting his manuscript of memoirs, wanting revenge on Dooley. Dooley teams up with Sergeant Wells and the dogs and there is investigation, pursuit, abduction, shoot-out – and happy ending.

James Belushi is at home in this kind of film and works very easily with his dog. Christine Tucci (sister of Stanley Tucci) is a vigorous heroine – and her dog is even more vigorous.

Easy entertainment, undemanding.

1. The popularity of K9 in the 1980s? A sequel ten years later?

2. The Los Angeles settings, the city, the parks, the gymnasiums, apartments, police precincts? Authentic? Musical score?

3. The focus on the dogs, the contrast between Jerry Lee and his record, relationship with Dooley, the ease together, his getting old, slowing down? The contrast with Zeus, big and sleek, controlled by Sergeant Wells, responding to Dutch orders? In action? Audience liking for dog films? Being satisfied with the starring roles of the dogs?

4. Dooley as a character, his depression, his relationship with Jerry Lee, witnessing the shooting, becoming involved, his car getting shot up, Captain Byers and his rebukes, slapping him? His going into action again? Meeting Sergeant Wells and Zeus? Their bonding together? His grief over his wife’s death? The issue of Devon Lang and his manuscript? The clues, going to the gymnasium, Jerry Lee and his attack on the kick boxer, getting the information, going to the warehouse, the shoot-out? Devon Lang and his pursuing Dooley? Abducting Sergeant Wells? The siege in the police precinct? The action of the dogs? The showdown on the roof, Jerry Lee and his slowness, the final leap and saving Dooley? Dooley as a congenial character?

5. Sergeant Wells, tough, martial arts, her dog, the bond with Wells, her being abducted?

6. Devon Lang, sinister, the plot about his manuscript, resentments, the consequences?

7. Captain Byers, tough, slapping Dooley? The other police officers?

8. The gymnasium, the kick boxers, undercover work?

9. The popularity of this kind of police investigation – with dogs?