The Tremors movies are not to be taken seriously and Tremors 2 is no different. It's a fun, light-hearted monster movie that you can sit back and enjoy. Fred Ward and Michael Gross return from the first movie.(Kevin Bacon not making a comeback shows a little elitism on his part I think. What, are you above Tremors now Kevin?) Both characters lend a hand in making this a good film. The film takes the Graboids a little farther up the evolutional chain this time, and the effects are still good for the small budget. Bottom Line: If you liked Tremors then you'll like Tremors 2.
125 Reviews
A decent sequel
flook753 January 2020
Recently shown on the Horror Channel in the UK. And as a fan of the classic original I thought I would give the sequel a view
Have to say I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The practical and computer effects were half decent considering how small the budget was. $4m according to IMDb
Plenty of mentions to the original as well to tie it nicely with the first film. Chris Gartin is pretty poor as the Kevin Bacon replacement in my opinion but let's be honest it's a Tremors movie, no one is in it to win a Oscar. It's light hearted comedy horror that knows what is is.
If you enjoyed the 1st film then you should enjoy this one.
Have to say I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The practical and computer effects were half decent considering how small the budget was. $4m according to IMDb
Plenty of mentions to the original as well to tie it nicely with the first film. Chris Gartin is pretty poor as the Kevin Bacon replacement in my opinion but let's be honest it's a Tremors movie, no one is in it to win a Oscar. It's light hearted comedy horror that knows what is is.
If you enjoyed the 1st film then you should enjoy this one.
For those who couldn't get enough of the original
Coventry20 July 2005
The original Tremors, released six years earlier, is a prime example of how monster movies ought to be and it was immensely popular amongst critics as well regular audiences. A sequel was inevitable and it's actually surprising that it still took 6 years before they had it finished
Normally; filmmakers exploit a successful franchise much quicker than this! I think everyone agrees with the statement that this second entry can't possibly live up to the original but, as far as the quality of sequels go, "Tremors II: Aftershocks" is a fairly pleasant B-movie that you definitely won't regret seeing. It's obviously meant to please the enormous fan-base of the first movie, since it features the exact same type of humor and similar special effects, but at least it tries to add something new to the story of the giant carnivorous worms. Several years have passed since the big fat "Graboid"-hunt in Perfection, Nevada and good old Earl Bassett (the cool and charismatic Fred Ward reprises his role) is asked to come to Mexico because a new plague of worms has already killed (and eaten) the staff of a large petrol field there. Reluctant to risk his life again, Earl eventually decides to come to the rescue, accompanied by his old and trigger-happy friend Burt Gummer (Michael Gross) and a fresh sidekick named Grady. The three learn that Graboids are a superior breed of monsters, since they evolve and rapidly work their way up the food chain. The biggest thing missing in this film is Kevin Bacon
Well, not so much his persona but the duo he formed with Fred Ward in the original! Christopher Gartin tries hard enough to be a good replacement but it's just not the same. No offense to him, though. There still is some delightful B-movie dialogue going on between Fred Ward and Burt Gummer and the monster effects are more than satisfying. Two more straight-to-video sequels followed and they're really not that bad, neither. You just need to be a massive fan of the original. In case you thought 'Tremors' was only so-so, none of the sequels are meant for your eyes.
Amusing sequel with action,adventures,battles against Graboids and again with Fred Ward
ma-cortes10 June 2007
This following begins in Petromay oil refinery (Mexico),there happen mysterious events,a giant killers predators are eating workers.After in the small village called Perfection is Earl(Fred Ward).He's hired for killing the horrible creatures,then he goes out towards Mexico along with a brave young named Hoover(Christopher Gartin).In the refinery they know to Kate(Helen Shaver),after comes Burt Gummer(Michael Gross)with a heavy weapons and explosives.They'll confront against an army of Graboids,the horrific and enormous worms that spontaneously appear from underground burrows.In this entry we learn the giant bugs are intelligent but they don't see neither ear.
This is an entertaining sequel with noisy action,grisly horror,thrilling and some humor with tongue in check.It's remarkable for special effects with computer generator recreation made by Phil Tippet studio and Animatronics by Tom Gudruff and Alec Gillis.The film displays habitual characteristic from the series : A lonely location surrounded by the fantastic worms called Graboids and a solitary bunch battling with the horrible creatures, the usual appearance of Burt Gummer,always played by a likable Michael Gross,besides all movies are produced and directed by Ron Underwood,SS Wilson and Brent Maddock.It's followed by several sequels: Tremors III Back to Perfection with Ariana Richards,Charlotte Stewart; Tremors IV the legend begins,that tells the origin with August Schellemberg,Sara Bostford,Billy Drago ; and TV series with Gladys Jimenez,Victor Brown,Marcia Strassman and as always Michael Gross.The motion picture-with an appropriate musical score by Jay Ferguson -is professionally directed by S.S. Wilson.It's recommended for terror-action buffs and hardcore series fans.
This is an entertaining sequel with noisy action,grisly horror,thrilling and some humor with tongue in check.It's remarkable for special effects with computer generator recreation made by Phil Tippet studio and Animatronics by Tom Gudruff and Alec Gillis.The film displays habitual characteristic from the series : A lonely location surrounded by the fantastic worms called Graboids and a solitary bunch battling with the horrible creatures, the usual appearance of Burt Gummer,always played by a likable Michael Gross,besides all movies are produced and directed by Ron Underwood,SS Wilson and Brent Maddock.It's followed by several sequels: Tremors III Back to Perfection with Ariana Richards,Charlotte Stewart; Tremors IV the legend begins,that tells the origin with August Schellemberg,Sara Bostford,Billy Drago ; and TV series with Gladys Jimenez,Victor Brown,Marcia Strassman and as always Michael Gross.The motion picture-with an appropriate musical score by Jay Ferguson -is professionally directed by S.S. Wilson.It's recommended for terror-action buffs and hardcore series fans.
Acceptable sequel
SnoopyStyle19 October 2013
Earl Bassett (Fred Ward) is down and out, left with just 2 ostriches. Apparently there are more Graboids. This time they are threatening the Petromaya oil refinery in Chiapas Mexico. They are willing to pay $50k a head bounty for the monsters. An admiring fan Grady Hoover (Christopher Gartin) convinces him to go. They meet geologist Kate Reilly (Helen Shaver) who helps, but when they're overwhelm, they call on Burt Gummer (Michael Gross) out to help.
There are more Graboids. They are evolving. They are bigger and badder than ever. So it's good to have Burt so he could bring bigger and badder explosives. That makes up for the annoying sidekick.
They're playing up the geezer love angle. It's fine that they lay the camera on Shaver's butt, but why put it on Fred Ward's butt. Com'on guys! You almost burn my eyes out.
It's taking a more campy turn. It's a little more stupider and a little more non-sensible.
There are more Graboids. They are evolving. They are bigger and badder than ever. So it's good to have Burt so he could bring bigger and badder explosives. That makes up for the annoying sidekick.
They're playing up the geezer love angle. It's fine that they lay the camera on Shaver's butt, but why put it on Fred Ward's butt. Com'on guys! You almost burn my eyes out.
It's taking a more campy turn. It's a little more stupider and a little more non-sensible.
As far as sequels go, not bad
Op_Prime30 December 1999
Tremors 2 is not a bad movie. It simply lacks whatever made the first movie so special. The story is okay but it could of used more work. Having Fred Ward and Michael Gross back helped this movie a lot. I was disappointed to find out this was released direct to video. It has the potential to be a big screen release and could have made more. Overall, Tremors 2: Aftershocks is a okay movie. If you've seen the first movie, you might as well see this one.
fun sequel
vamp883 October 2002
It's a sequel so almost by definition is inferior. It does keep in the same spirit as the first, but doesn't live up to the original. Overall however it was a fun movie with a few twists and definately worth checking out. I consider the original Tremors a classic, so my expectations were high. If you've seen the first ( I know you had to love it) then check this one out, it's worth seeing.
Worthy successor
Calicodreamin7 January 2020
Tremors 2 does a nice job of following the success of the first, without being too copycat or too ridiculous. The vibe is very much similar to the first, good humored and full of monster hunting goodness. The sequel also does a nice job of paying homage to those who didn't come back, while introducing new characters that fit into the plot well. All in all, a decent movie, if you go in with low expectations and a certain love for low budget, high quality monster movies.
The Shriekers!
hitchcockthelegend30 July 2014
After the huge love and deserved critical praise for Ron Underwood's 1990 film, Tremors, this in spite of poor box office and lead man Kevin Bacon disowning the film at the time, sequels were always likely. And so it proved.
Fred Ward and Michael Gross return from the first film and are joined by Christopher Gartin, Helen Shaver and Marcelo Tubert. Underwood hands over the directing reins to S.S. Wilson and co-produces instead, while music is by jay Ferguson and cinematography by Virgil Harper.
In spite of adding some new beasties into the mix, it all feels very same old same old, only without the funny script and any sense of peril. What made Tremors so strong was that even as it had its tongue in its cheek, homaging 1950s creature features with a proud sense of being, it was still scary and suspenseful. The characters there gave a believable sense of danger and fright, here it's just done for laughs, we never once think the principal players are remotely scared of the Graboids and their offspring.
Story has advanced for Earl (Ward) and Burt (Gross), where this time it's Earl who is romancing (Shaver under used but lovely) and Burt is all on his lonesome as his Mrs (Heather played by Reba McEntire) has left him on account of his love of war and weapons, a joke which grows old very fast here. Still, when the action isn't of the budget CGI kind, it's well staged and good fun, though Wilson's comic sequence shooting is flat, while Ward is a strong enough actor to carry the film to keep it above average.
Passably enjoyable for fans of creature feature movies without ever being an essential viewing choice. 5/10
Fred Ward and Michael Gross return from the first film and are joined by Christopher Gartin, Helen Shaver and Marcelo Tubert. Underwood hands over the directing reins to S.S. Wilson and co-produces instead, while music is by jay Ferguson and cinematography by Virgil Harper.
In spite of adding some new beasties into the mix, it all feels very same old same old, only without the funny script and any sense of peril. What made Tremors so strong was that even as it had its tongue in its cheek, homaging 1950s creature features with a proud sense of being, it was still scary and suspenseful. The characters there gave a believable sense of danger and fright, here it's just done for laughs, we never once think the principal players are remotely scared of the Graboids and their offspring.
Story has advanced for Earl (Ward) and Burt (Gross), where this time it's Earl who is romancing (Shaver under used but lovely) and Burt is all on his lonesome as his Mrs (Heather played by Reba McEntire) has left him on account of his love of war and weapons, a joke which grows old very fast here. Still, when the action isn't of the budget CGI kind, it's well staged and good fun, though Wilson's comic sequence shooting is flat, while Ward is a strong enough actor to carry the film to keep it above average.
Passably enjoyable for fans of creature feature movies without ever being an essential viewing choice. 5/10
What I think...
goldhamster2 May 2001
Tremors, the first film, was top. A quirky, funny and strangely satisfying movie, you just wanted to see it again & again. Of course, Universal realised this, and decided to give us what we wanted - More Tremors.
Unfortunately, it just didn't exude the same qualities of the first film. Tremors II goes down the formulaic action-comedy route, steering clear of the original's quirkiness and subtle humour and replacing it with crass one-liners and in-your-face action scenes. Much of the team involved in the original film are present here, though it does feel slightly lost without Kevin Bacon. The young actor attempting to replace him gives a reasonable performance, but his character in the film is just a bit too streetwise and 'smart', and he doesn't make a convincing on-screen partnership with Fred Ward.
The plot is different to Tremors, but still contains the Tremor-creating 'graboids' that were present in the original. In fact, the special effects of these are one of the film's strong points. The camerawork & directing is passable, as are the performances from all involved. Will you enjoy this film? It depends. If you're looking for a straight-up action movie, then this wouldn't be a bad choice. If, however, you're looking for a good sequel to Tremors, you'll be disappointed. Overall rating: 5.5/10
Unfortunately, it just didn't exude the same qualities of the first film. Tremors II goes down the formulaic action-comedy route, steering clear of the original's quirkiness and subtle humour and replacing it with crass one-liners and in-your-face action scenes. Much of the team involved in the original film are present here, though it does feel slightly lost without Kevin Bacon. The young actor attempting to replace him gives a reasonable performance, but his character in the film is just a bit too streetwise and 'smart', and he doesn't make a convincing on-screen partnership with Fred Ward.
The plot is different to Tremors, but still contains the Tremor-creating 'graboids' that were present in the original. In fact, the special effects of these are one of the film's strong points. The camerawork & directing is passable, as are the performances from all involved. Will you enjoy this film? It depends. If you're looking for a straight-up action movie, then this wouldn't be a bad choice. If, however, you're looking for a good sequel to Tremors, you'll be disappointed. Overall rating: 5.5/10
More slapstick than horror.
paulclaassen3 July 2018
Not as good as the original - almost as if it wasn't taken as seriously. The creature offsprings are funny rather than scary and the film offers very little suspense due to bland acting. This is more of a slapstick comedy - and its not even funny...
A rare sequel that maintains the spirit of the original and subverts it
StevePulaski10 April 2011
Despite meager box office returns and only late success on home video, Tremors may be one of the only films to spawn a franchise out of a film that was never a big hit nor really intended to be a series. But unlike contemporary, flash-in-the-pan successes like The Hangover and Taken, the substance of the Tremors sequels is what kept their longevity and their quality at least in some ways comparable to the original masterwork. Tremors II: Aftershocks is a very strong sequel, and with the original film's screenwriter S.S. Wilson getting promoted to director and Brent Maddock assisting Wilson once again in the writing department, the original film's spirit is still captured in what is also a pleasantly different film than the first. For all the griping I, myself, and others do about sequels failing to raise the stakes, here's a film that doesn't mind changing the rules late in the game because, hey, it was already told that Graboids themselves don't play fair.
After opening with a stunningly suspenseful scene of an oil worker trying to avoid a Graboid, we are dropped right in the middle of the sleepy desert-town of Perfection, Nevada, once more, where Earl Bassett (Fred Ward) is now making his living as an ostrich farmer. Despite him and his partner Valentine gaining unprecedented popularity from their discovery of Graboids, Earl hasn't received much, if any, royalties from the licensing of the beasts, from comic books to arcade games. He still makes his living as a humble handyman and is almost going to keep it that way until Señor Carlos Ortega (Marcelo Tubert) and Grady Hoover (Christopher Gartin) show up on his doorstep informing them of the most recent Graboid, large, subterranean worms that hunt by sounds and sonic vibrations in the ground, crisis. An oil rig in Mexico has been deemed a serious hazard to employees and occupants after numerous Graboid attacks have resulted in the deaths of innocent workers. Ortega is prepared to offer Earl $50,000 per each Graboid he kills whilst in Mexico, in addition to $100,000 if he can capture one alive.
After much persuasion from Grady, Earl reluctantly agrees to make good use of his big "second chance," taking Grady along with him as his right-hand-man. When the two realize the Graboid operation is more dangerous and prolific than they thought, even after managing to blow up several using a remote-control car and dynamite, they enlist in the help of survivalist Burt Gummer (Michael Gross), who has spent his most recent days wallowing in self-pity and frustration after his wife Heather chose to leave him. The three, in addition to Kate (Helen Shaver), a local paleontologist, work to complete Ortega's operation, which goes rather seamlessly until the worms wind up undergoing metamorphosis and subsequently transforming into something more dangerous and more ubiquitous.
While the amiable and often hilarious chemistry of Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward is subtracted from the formula of this sequel, Gartin steps in to do an okay job at playing second banana to Fred Ward's always interesting Earl character. Gartin's obnoxiousness is grating at times, and while his character is clearly the comic relief here, he comes off as a sign as being that a bit too obviously. The great thing about the original Tremors was no blatant comic relief was needed (even the listless teenager Melvin really didn't constitute as one, in my mind) because both leading men were capable of being funny without forgoing any element of seriousness and believability. Gartin does what he can within the screenplay of Wilson and Maddock and the result is fair but not totally destructive to the plot.
Tremors II largely works because it doesn't settle to do the same thing twice; it keeps its story moving by not only changing the setting and adding a few more characters in the mix, but changing the entire biological spectrum of the monsters. Wilson and Maddock put a lot of thought into the mindset of these Graboids, biologically, physically, and conceptually, which results in a fairly elaborate and well-played detailing of the next wave of monsters sure to plague our characters. In addition, much like the original Tremors, this is a film that makes total use of its desert setting, spending considerable amounts of time in some settings, but always giving different locations their time of day in a manner that feels very regionally democratic.
Tremors II: Aftershocks is a thoroughly pleasant sequel because it helps to revoke the spirit of the original film, whilst deviating course into something that expands upon the mythology of the monsters in the film and general likability of most of the film's characters. Rarely has there been a franchise quite like Tremors that has proved its own longevity better than most established, financially successful franchises and rarely has there been an impressive sequel quite like Tremors II: Aftershocks.
Starring: Fred Ward, Christopher Gartin, Michael Gross, Helen Slater, Marco Hernandez, and Marcelo Tubert. Directed by: S.S. Wilson.
After opening with a stunningly suspenseful scene of an oil worker trying to avoid a Graboid, we are dropped right in the middle of the sleepy desert-town of Perfection, Nevada, once more, where Earl Bassett (Fred Ward) is now making his living as an ostrich farmer. Despite him and his partner Valentine gaining unprecedented popularity from their discovery of Graboids, Earl hasn't received much, if any, royalties from the licensing of the beasts, from comic books to arcade games. He still makes his living as a humble handyman and is almost going to keep it that way until Señor Carlos Ortega (Marcelo Tubert) and Grady Hoover (Christopher Gartin) show up on his doorstep informing them of the most recent Graboid, large, subterranean worms that hunt by sounds and sonic vibrations in the ground, crisis. An oil rig in Mexico has been deemed a serious hazard to employees and occupants after numerous Graboid attacks have resulted in the deaths of innocent workers. Ortega is prepared to offer Earl $50,000 per each Graboid he kills whilst in Mexico, in addition to $100,000 if he can capture one alive.
After much persuasion from Grady, Earl reluctantly agrees to make good use of his big "second chance," taking Grady along with him as his right-hand-man. When the two realize the Graboid operation is more dangerous and prolific than they thought, even after managing to blow up several using a remote-control car and dynamite, they enlist in the help of survivalist Burt Gummer (Michael Gross), who has spent his most recent days wallowing in self-pity and frustration after his wife Heather chose to leave him. The three, in addition to Kate (Helen Shaver), a local paleontologist, work to complete Ortega's operation, which goes rather seamlessly until the worms wind up undergoing metamorphosis and subsequently transforming into something more dangerous and more ubiquitous.
While the amiable and often hilarious chemistry of Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward is subtracted from the formula of this sequel, Gartin steps in to do an okay job at playing second banana to Fred Ward's always interesting Earl character. Gartin's obnoxiousness is grating at times, and while his character is clearly the comic relief here, he comes off as a sign as being that a bit too obviously. The great thing about the original Tremors was no blatant comic relief was needed (even the listless teenager Melvin really didn't constitute as one, in my mind) because both leading men were capable of being funny without forgoing any element of seriousness and believability. Gartin does what he can within the screenplay of Wilson and Maddock and the result is fair but not totally destructive to the plot.
Tremors II largely works because it doesn't settle to do the same thing twice; it keeps its story moving by not only changing the setting and adding a few more characters in the mix, but changing the entire biological spectrum of the monsters. Wilson and Maddock put a lot of thought into the mindset of these Graboids, biologically, physically, and conceptually, which results in a fairly elaborate and well-played detailing of the next wave of monsters sure to plague our characters. In addition, much like the original Tremors, this is a film that makes total use of its desert setting, spending considerable amounts of time in some settings, but always giving different locations their time of day in a manner that feels very regionally democratic.
Tremors II: Aftershocks is a thoroughly pleasant sequel because it helps to revoke the spirit of the original film, whilst deviating course into something that expands upon the mythology of the monsters in the film and general likability of most of the film's characters. Rarely has there been a franchise quite like Tremors that has proved its own longevity better than most established, financially successful franchises and rarely has there been an impressive sequel quite like Tremors II: Aftershocks.
Starring: Fred Ward, Christopher Gartin, Michael Gross, Helen Slater, Marco Hernandez, and Marcelo Tubert. Directed by: S.S. Wilson.
Very good direct-to-video sequel.
b_kite18 July 2018
Fred Ward and Michael Gross are the only two stars who returned for this direct-to-video sequel six years after the original. While the loss of Kevin Bacon is definatly felt the film does a nice job of explaining his absence. Ward still is good comic relief but Chris Gartin is rather annoying as Grady. Gross takes a bigger role and gets some good lines in as well, despite the fact it not quite being his series yet. The film still uses a majority of practical effects over CGI even though they are limited but still enjoyable. The new Shrieker creatures are nice as well.
Who hired Chris Gratin? They should be served up to the Graboids!!
llewellynf197430 December 2020
Not as good as the first movie, in which Fred Ward & Kevin Bacon had great chemistry. Chris Gartin is that kid who gets excited for everything, much like a chimp seeing a bunch of bananas for the first time, every time.
He was just loud, grating, annoying, wooden, no charisma or personality. I've seen his acting bio and I honestly cannot remember him in any of the movies he's been in, most of which I've watched.
If it wasn't for Michael Gross, I'd have rated this 2/10.
He was just loud, grating, annoying, wooden, no charisma or personality. I've seen his acting bio and I honestly cannot remember him in any of the movies he's been in, most of which I've watched.
If it wasn't for Michael Gross, I'd have rated this 2/10.
A surprisingly entertaining made-for-video sequel
TheLittleSongbird15 March 2010
While not as sprightly paced, as assuredly directed or as skillful in terms of camera work as the original, for a made-for-video sequel, this really is not bad. I was expecting shoddiness and derivative elements but Tremors 2 was really entertaining and surpassed my expectations completely. For one thing, the scenery is really nice and sets the atmosphere well. Secondly, the film is sharply written, and has its fair share of funny lines while being smart as well. Thirdly, the graboids are very well designed and the attacks are quite shocking, thanks to the soundtrack and the sound effects. Fourthly, the performances are engaging, Fred Ward reprises his role as charismatic and cool Earl and does a very good job, while Christopher Gartin is suitably chirpy as his assistant and Michael Gross is hilarious once again as Burt. Fifthly, and finally, it actually manages to stay true to the jokey spirit of the original. Overall, as far as sequels go this smart and entertaining follow up is one of the better ones out there. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Tremors: Part Two
gavin694218 October 2014
When an army of Graboids - giant, carnivorous underground worms - threaten the Petromaya oil refinery in Mexico, its owners call on Earl Bassett (Fred Ward), who once helped kill four of the creatures in Perfection, Nevada.
TV Guide wrote, "This movie is a rarity among direct-to-video sequels, one that's not only worthy of its theatrical predecessor but suggests that it too, belongs on the big screen... Despite the significantly lower budget, the monsters remain entirely convincing." This is spot on. Although the 1990s were full of countless horror sequels, most were garbage. This one, despite the low budget, offers a high-quality film with creative new (and good looking) monsters.
Anyone who liked the first film definitely needs to see the second.
TV Guide wrote, "This movie is a rarity among direct-to-video sequels, one that's not only worthy of its theatrical predecessor but suggests that it too, belongs on the big screen... Despite the significantly lower budget, the monsters remain entirely convincing." This is spot on. Although the 1990s were full of countless horror sequels, most were garbage. This one, despite the low budget, offers a high-quality film with creative new (and good looking) monsters.
Anyone who liked the first film definitely needs to see the second.
Light action sequel is a worthwhile watch in its own right
Leofwine_draca22 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
As a straight-to-video sequel, this one isn't half bad. What we have here is a sequel to the film TREMORS, which in itself was a modern B-movie classic with plenty of throwbacks to the monster movies of the '50s. It was great fun. Now, obviously, this sequel can't live up to the reputation of its predecessor, but there is still plenty of humour to be had from the banter between the characters.
The film opens on very shaky ground with Ward and Gartin killing off dozens of the original threatening worms within a matter of minutes. There is some stupid comedy filler and this section makes a mockery of the original creatures, which used to be extremely hard to kill. In fact, these scenes are rather pointless. Thankfully, though, Michael Gross turns up and takes a lot of the attention away from newcomer Gartin (thankfully), and halfway through the film new monsters appear. This was a very good idea in my opinion, as otherwise it would have been a straight re-run of the original TREMORS.
The new creatures are a mix of CGI and traditional model work. They look wonderful, little stumpy creatures on two legs with huge mouths. The CGI shown here actually works, despite the obviously low budget; it makes a refreshing change from the usual junk we see in the cinemas. On top of these excellent creature designs, we also have Michael Gross, who supplies a lot of the (funny) comic relief as an over-the-top gun specialist. Kevin Bacon's presence is sorely missed, and Gartin is an abominable replacement, but it's nice to have Fred Ward back with us as the rugged hero. Helen Shaver is instantly forgettable.
There's a nicely high level of goo on offer here, as the 12-certificate is pushed to the extreme. Legs are chomped on and there are even a couple of severed arms, inspired no doubt by a similar scene in JURASSIC PARK. The creatures themselves die very easily so there's plenty of scope for some explosions, where orange slime goes flying everywhere. The budget stretches to an impressive explosion at the end as well, when two and a half tons of explosives go up in smoke, all at once. Worth catching if you're a fan of the original, this is a harmless, entertaining, and light slice of action.
The film opens on very shaky ground with Ward and Gartin killing off dozens of the original threatening worms within a matter of minutes. There is some stupid comedy filler and this section makes a mockery of the original creatures, which used to be extremely hard to kill. In fact, these scenes are rather pointless. Thankfully, though, Michael Gross turns up and takes a lot of the attention away from newcomer Gartin (thankfully), and halfway through the film new monsters appear. This was a very good idea in my opinion, as otherwise it would have been a straight re-run of the original TREMORS.
The new creatures are a mix of CGI and traditional model work. They look wonderful, little stumpy creatures on two legs with huge mouths. The CGI shown here actually works, despite the obviously low budget; it makes a refreshing change from the usual junk we see in the cinemas. On top of these excellent creature designs, we also have Michael Gross, who supplies a lot of the (funny) comic relief as an over-the-top gun specialist. Kevin Bacon's presence is sorely missed, and Gartin is an abominable replacement, but it's nice to have Fred Ward back with us as the rugged hero. Helen Shaver is instantly forgettable.
There's a nicely high level of goo on offer here, as the 12-certificate is pushed to the extreme. Legs are chomped on and there are even a couple of severed arms, inspired no doubt by a similar scene in JURASSIC PARK. The creatures themselves die very easily so there's plenty of scope for some explosions, where orange slime goes flying everywhere. The budget stretches to an impressive explosion at the end as well, when two and a half tons of explosives go up in smoke, all at once. Worth catching if you're a fan of the original, this is a harmless, entertaining, and light slice of action.
So - so movie
eminkl16 October 2019
Sequel decreed without Kevin Bacon
bbjzilla-2534528 August 2023
A needless sequel misses the star power of Kevin Bacon and the host of supporting characters, it feels like a cheap remake, which it is. It's like Jurassic Park meets Beverly Hills Cop 2.
Heavy handed directing and a bombastic synth score don't help its knock off vibe.
There are a couple of funny lines towards the end and the third act being stalked by deaf and blind graboid bipeds feels like it's competently handled but before that it desperate stuff with everyone trying too hard with nothing to work with.
The special effects are pretty good, even the gratuitous cgi, and there is very little horror which is ok as it's essentially a comedy horror, but as it has no real humour and with Bert's antics becoming a heavy handed bore, it's a pale imitation of its predecessor.
Heavy handed directing and a bombastic synth score don't help its knock off vibe.
There are a couple of funny lines towards the end and the third act being stalked by deaf and blind graboid bipeds feels like it's competently handled but before that it desperate stuff with everyone trying too hard with nothing to work with.
The special effects are pretty good, even the gratuitous cgi, and there is very little horror which is ok as it's essentially a comedy horror, but as it has no real humour and with Bert's antics becoming a heavy handed bore, it's a pale imitation of its predecessor.
Not the original, but still a lot of fun.
Aaron13757 February 2004
This time there isn't quite the cast used in the first one, in fact there are really only four main characters this time around. There also is not all that many kills, but still I enjoyed this one. It is one of those rare direct to video releases that is actually quite good. Fred Ward does return again, as does Michael Gross and they both are still very strong. This one has the infamous Graboids attacking some place down in Mexico I believe. Fred Ward's character is asked to come and help rid the area of these creatures as he has the knowledge to fight them and kill them. Well it proves to be to much of a challenge as there are a lot more of them than he anticipated so he enlists the aid of Gross's character. Well everything seems to be going down without a hitch, but something is not quite right. One of the monsters seems to have exploded from the inside and there seems to be another monster loose in the desert. Not the original as I have said, but it still works. Though I never saw part three cause it looks rather bad.
Not as good as the original but still silly fun to be had
bob the moo5 December 2002
Years after his original adventures, Earl Bassett has been screwed out of many of the royalties from the games etc generated from his discovery of the `grabzoids' and now runs a small emu farm. However spottings of the beasts in Mexico get him and his eager new assistant Grady employed at $50K per beast to kill them and open up a new oil field. All goes well until they find that they are dealing with significant numbers of the beasts and turn to old friend Burt for support. But is that the only surprise the grabzoids have in store for Earl?
Ah, Tremors. A great film that harked back to the old B movie creature features and was, in a nutshell, a real fun movie to watch. It was with a sense of dread that I sat down to watch the sequel feeling it would be vastly inferior and lose a lot of the fun. It was inferior but it wasn't as poor as I had feared. The plot is stretched to get Earl back on the hunt but it is OK after that, or at least as good as it needs to be. My first reservation was that the film seemed content to show the creatures immediately taking away form their impact by showing their rubberness. This weakness carry through the film with the heat seekers and, although the effects were passable, I preferred the moving soil effects from the original.
However it is all still good fun and manages to keep much of the spirit of the original by not taking itself too seriously. This is shown in the replacement of Kevin Bacon with `Grady'. Rather than just try and put him in the film and move on, the characters all refer to him as `the new guy' etc. It works because the script has basically taken our criticisms of sequels and made a joke of it. Ward is good here but he really misses his chemistry with Bacon. Gartin is annoying as some sort of slacker but the self mocking jokes at his expense help ingratiate him to me. Shaver is a poor replacement for the female role but it is good to have Gross back in a funny role.
The film is a little more effects focused this time which weakens it slightly. It also is a lot more gory, in an unpleasant way at times, which took away from the feeling of it all being a bit of fun. Overall this is not as good as the fun, free-wheeling original but it is still enjoyable enough to overlook the weaknesses and give it a go.
Ah, Tremors. A great film that harked back to the old B movie creature features and was, in a nutshell, a real fun movie to watch. It was with a sense of dread that I sat down to watch the sequel feeling it would be vastly inferior and lose a lot of the fun. It was inferior but it wasn't as poor as I had feared. The plot is stretched to get Earl back on the hunt but it is OK after that, or at least as good as it needs to be. My first reservation was that the film seemed content to show the creatures immediately taking away form their impact by showing their rubberness. This weakness carry through the film with the heat seekers and, although the effects were passable, I preferred the moving soil effects from the original.
However it is all still good fun and manages to keep much of the spirit of the original by not taking itself too seriously. This is shown in the replacement of Kevin Bacon with `Grady'. Rather than just try and put him in the film and move on, the characters all refer to him as `the new guy' etc. It works because the script has basically taken our criticisms of sequels and made a joke of it. Ward is good here but he really misses his chemistry with Bacon. Gartin is annoying as some sort of slacker but the self mocking jokes at his expense help ingratiate him to me. Shaver is a poor replacement for the female role but it is good to have Gross back in a funny role.
The film is a little more effects focused this time which weakens it slightly. It also is a lot more gory, in an unpleasant way at times, which took away from the feeling of it all being a bit of fun. Overall this is not as good as the fun, free-wheeling original but it is still enjoyable enough to overlook the weaknesses and give it a go.
A sadly sub-par sequel
williambendavis-933-21895814 December 2014
This isn't the worst horror movie sequel ever and I do appreciate the fact that they tried to change it up a little, this is still a pretty terrible movie that just fails to capture the feel of the first one. First off, they try way too hard to be funny. In the first one, the humor spoke for itself. They didn't to try and make it funny. It realized it was stupid and that's why it was good. Here, the attempts at comedy are painful and it all falls flat. Secondly, the acting is not very good. Granted they get better as the movie goes on, but in the first thirty minutes, every line of dialogue is delivered in this corny over the top way. It gets old real fast. Lastly, the filmmakers decided to introduce a sidekick to make up for the lack of Kevin Bacon. And they picked just about the most annoying sidekick they could find. Everything he does is stupid and annoying. The entire film I wanted him to eaten so I wouldn't have to endure his idiocy. Skip this sub-par sequel and go watch Halloween again. You'll have made the right decision.
Much better sequel
CuriosityKilledShawn28 November 2000
The writer of the first film directs this sequel. I think his visual style is way better than Ron Underwood's. There are many scenes set in Mexico where every landscape is colored in very deep greens. This looks very good on film and gives the whole film a kind of escapist feel.
This should not have been a DTV movie. It was more than good enough to be a theatrical release. Kevin Bacon didn't return but this gives more room for Fred Ward and his new partner. I think that Grady Hoover is a better character than Valentine.
I never once felt the 'same again' syndrome most sequels suffer from. It has too many new ideas and gimmicks. SS Wilson turns around our expectations and actually gives us explanation for the worm's existence. This is something that the original never even bothered to do.
Michael Gross returns as Burt, but this time he's got even more guns and weapons. Helen Shaver was also a cool older babe. I do not usually like older women in movies but she was a doll. The music is also improved on greatly.
'Tremors 3' cannot come too soon. I just cannot imagine what extra surprises SS Wilson has left in store for us. No doubt, if it is as good as this. It will be a cool movie too.
This should not have been a DTV movie. It was more than good enough to be a theatrical release. Kevin Bacon didn't return but this gives more room for Fred Ward and his new partner. I think that Grady Hoover is a better character than Valentine.
I never once felt the 'same again' syndrome most sequels suffer from. It has too many new ideas and gimmicks. SS Wilson turns around our expectations and actually gives us explanation for the worm's existence. This is something that the original never even bothered to do.
Michael Gross returns as Burt, but this time he's got even more guns and weapons. Helen Shaver was also a cool older babe. I do not usually like older women in movies but she was a doll. The music is also improved on greatly.
'Tremors 3' cannot come too soon. I just cannot imagine what extra surprises SS Wilson has left in store for us. No doubt, if it is as good as this. It will be a cool movie too.
This is a huge step down from the first film but is still fun in its own way
kevin_robbins22 December 2021
Tremors 2: Aftershock (1996) is a movie I recently rewatched on Tubi. The storyline picks up 11 years after the first film where the Graboids have become a national phenomena but haven't been seen since the first film. When an oil company in Mexico has it plant surrounded by them they hire the experts to come in and rid the factory from the Graboid pests...
This movie is directed by S. S. Wilson (Tremors 4: The Legend Begins) and stars Fred Ward (Escape from Alcatraz), Chris Gartin (Black Swan), Helen Shaver (The Craft) and Michael Gross (Family Ties).
Earl and Burt coming back in this was awesome. The backstory was okay and it was fun to hear about the characters from the first film. The writing in this remains entertaining with some good lines that'll have you cracking up. I will say they made the Graboids a bit too smart at times and the above ground versions were just okay. There's definitely times this felt made for TV.
Overall this is a huge step down from the first film but is still fun in its own way. I would score this a 6/10 and recommend seeing it once.
This movie is directed by S. S. Wilson (Tremors 4: The Legend Begins) and stars Fred Ward (Escape from Alcatraz), Chris Gartin (Black Swan), Helen Shaver (The Craft) and Michael Gross (Family Ties).
Earl and Burt coming back in this was awesome. The backstory was okay and it was fun to hear about the characters from the first film. The writing in this remains entertaining with some good lines that'll have you cracking up. I will say they made the Graboids a bit too smart at times and the above ground versions were just okay. There's definitely times this felt made for TV.
Overall this is a huge step down from the first film but is still fun in its own way. I would score this a 6/10 and recommend seeing it once.
low on the Richter scale
disdressed1224 August 2008
i really enjoyed the original Tremors.it worked on a lot of levels.unfortunately,this sequel doesn't.it seems to be mostly played for camp value,but i don't think it works very well.i found it very mostly very slow and boring.there were a few almost amusing moments,but overall,it was a disappointment.Kevin Bacon passed on this one,and it's easy to see why.he must have read the script.Fred Ward is back,but without Bacon,he his character just doesn't work as well.Michael Gross returns,and doesn't have much too do.also,i thought the dialogue was pretty cringe worthy at times.plus,the movie isn't really original.in fact it borrows heavily from another big movie that had come out a few years ago.i've seen worse movies,but this one still ranks as a major disappointment.for me,Tremors 2 is a 4/10.
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