Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice (2002 Video) User Reviews

More Gonzo Hockey

[bkoganbing · 3/10 · 18 March 2013]

To think after over 30 years the Hanson Brothers are still playing hockey for the Charlestown Chiefs. They all looked a little long in the tooth for that rugged sport. That's part of what did not make me buy into this film as a sequel.

They're the only ones that are back though. And it seems they never got to Minnesota as was promised in the original film. Stephen Baldwin is a player/coach and they're still the same lovable misfits who play Gonzo hockey. But Slapshot 2: Breaking The Ice has the team sold and moving again, this time to Omaha, Nebraska.

Where the guy who has now bought them millionaire Gary Busey who's big into family values thinks that hockey is way too violent for the kiddies. So he's forming a new league and is taking a leaf from the World Wrestling Federation. He's going to have a hero time, composed of clean cut college hockey players who will be the good guys and he's buying the Chiefs to function as the bad guys. The games will be like WWF matches only the good guys will always win. Watching the idea I thought it was as bad as the Recon unit always losing in Heartbreak Ridge. They've even hired a choreographer for the matches.

The money looks good, but there's something missing of course. The one who takes it worse is David Paetkau who is hoping to get picked up by a National Hockey League franchise.

Sad to say the idea of a WWF type hockey entertainment is a bad idea and sadder to say for Slapshot 2: Breaking The Ice it translates to the screen. Everyone here knows it and goes through the motions. This is one far stretch from the free wheeling original Slapshot film.

Even the Hanson Brothers can't save it.

Not horrible, but definitely bad!

[dakki78 · 4/10 · 28 January 2007]

The first and now legendary Slap Shot movie was plain excellent! It still makes me laugh each and every time I watch it! So why make a sequel over 20 years later? Well, there really isn't any good excuse...

Stephen Baldwin does an OK job as the lead character. He's no Reggie Dunlop but then again, no one is but Paul Newman. The fact that the Hanson brothers return for this sequel does help, but not enough. Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dave Babych is also a cool addition to the Chiefs roster.

In the end this movie is watchable, but there was never any need for this. If someone ever decides to make a third Slap Shot movie then I don't know what I'll do...

Not even the Hanson Brothers could save this one............

[hockeyvoodoo · 3/10 · 8 June 2006]

The script for Slap Shot 2-Breaking the Ice should have been thoroughly reviewed over and over with a fine-tooth comb before they started filming. It was up against the awesome classic original and the writers and producers knew very well that fans of the original Slap Shot were just thirsting for a really funny and good follow up if one was going to be made at all. A control group of viewers who saw the original back in 1977 at the theater should have been consulted (Me, for one.) I'm only giving this movie a generous 3 stars out of 10, one for each of the Hanson Brothers. They deserved better than this. The message of hockey becoming too antiseptic and "entertainment" instead of sport was lost in the mess. I did NOT like the "hockey chick" thing with Jessica Steen playing the new female coach, and she had the personality of a doorstop. Stephen Baldwin must have come very cheap, but doesn't do the worst job. The skating sequences were all blurry and slow-mo cheesy, and NOT using Johnstown, PA, instead of Vancouver, B.C. for the shooting location was more than sad. By the way, didn't the team move to Minnesota at the end of the original Slap Shot??? They could have written something hilariously funny into the second one about the Hanson Brothers going home to Minnesota. (Note to readers: Steve Carlson and Jeff Carlson were born and raised in Virginia, Minnesota. Dave Hanson was born in Wisconsin.) If the writers and producers of the original "Slap Shot" want to brainstorm for another truly funny and more accurate sequel, they should consult with fans for ideas. ($100 dollar bills raining from the sky will happen first before another sequel ever does thanks to this one.) The bottom line is that moviegoers want more of the Hanson Brothers and old-time hockey than this. It would also increase the bottom line $$$, especially if it would have a theatrical release, and not be released straight-to-video (kiss of death.)

avoid this movie

[swsman28 · 1/10 · 22 March 2006]

If you like the original "Slapshot," good acting and a good plot, rent anything else other than this travesty of film-making. However, if you do enjoy bad VD jokes, monotone Steven Baldwin acting and a storyline a kindergartner could poke holes into, then by all means rent "Slapshot 2: Breaking the Ice." Seriously, the only good thing about this film was seeing the original Hanson Brothers reprise their roles, which was not nearly enough to save it. A life-size cardboard cutout of Paul Newman has more acting talent than Steven Baldwin. And I'm being generous. Only if you have a severely morbid sense of curiosity would I suggest you watch this film.

Worst sports movie

[Greatornot · 1/10 · 4 July 2008]

This movie was beyond awful. It is ironic... The original SLAP SHOT was , in my opinion , the best sports movie of all time. This lame piece of garbage is the worst. The Hanson Brothers were fantastic in the first movie and they clearly did this movie for a paycheck. Can not say I blame them, easy money is easy money. The movie went nowhere. The plot was unrealistic and just a boring , depressing movie. The Hansons who were likable goons transformed to boring businessmen and that is criminal. That youthful exuberance was gone . This movie made no social commentary as the original had done. This makes all the ROCKY Sequels look like Shakespare. What can I say , a very unfunny flick, uninteresting flick, with lousy actors. The smartest thing Paul Newman ever did was turn down reprising his 'Reggie Dunlop' character from the original .

Avoid at all costs

[Framedogg · 20 April 2002]

This movie has no originality, Paper thin characters, and a plot that missed the heart of the first movie. I don't even see how they can or would dare to call this a Slapshot movie. The original was all REAL HOCKEY this is 90% Computer Generated trash. The original was fall on the floor hilarious, I didn't even crack a smile at this waste. The director had his head up his rear when he was making this movie, because every time it shows the Charston Cheifs owner (BTW in the last movie didn't they move the Cheifs to Minnesota?) it is in a tight head shot. The whole idea of the first film was to have fun and bring the hockey attitude out and it did that very well. This plays out more like a D grade drama with some poorly executed jokes stolen from the original movie.

F- Avoid like the plauge!

Fell Through the Ice

[whpratt1 · 1/10 · 11 May 2006]

Decided to watch AMC and found this film and decided to give it a try and see what I was in for in regards to entertainment. There was a great deal of humor and Steven Baldwin,(Sean Linden),"In My Sleep",'06, made very little effort in his acting to convince me that he even enjoyed making this film. Sean played a has-been hockey player who liked the wild life and decided to get in on a deal offered to him and his team as a comedy hockey team. Added to the action in the film was, Jessica Steen,(Jessie Dage),"Homefront",'91, a gal who was the granddaughter to a very famous hockey player from the past. The film was very boring and never seemed to end and made absolutely no common sense at all.

Worth the price I paid...

[mrtobrien · 5/10 · 20 January 2002]

Of course, I saw it for free. Pretty funny in parts, but it needed more focus on the Hansons instead of Stephen Baldwin. As in the first one, there are a lot of parts that could have been cut. It needed to be more focused on being a comedy, and not worried so much about trying to have a plot. Still, there were a bunch of good one-liners, and Gary Busey was a great casting choice. Would be worth the rental for a bunch of guys hanging around having a few beers on a weekend, but I probably wouldn't buy it to watch over and over.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!

[vandelay22 · 1/10 · 1 April 2002]

This was a HUGE waste of time and $$$$$. What a discrace to the original. This is now my all time worst movie !! I don't think that this will be topped for some time. I should have known better, this movie didn't even make it to the theatres. It is no wonder Paul Newman doesn't appear in it, he probably could sense that it was pure GARBAGE !!

Only a shadow of the original

[VulcanPhil · 6/10 · 18 August 2005]

The original Slap Shot movie starred Paul Newman. It was a hilarious look at the seedier side of minor pro Ice Hockey. It has become a huge classic among most Hockey fans. Since I am an Ice Hockey Referee part time, I joke that Slap Shot is mandatory viewing for all referees.

Having seen the original, I was skeptical about a follow-up 24 years later. The Hansen brothers reprised their characters well, but everyone else was new. The roles they were playing didn't seem to come naturally to the other actors. Still it was a pretty good acting job overall. There were some lines lifted directly from the original. This was somewhat clever, but after the 3rd time, it was just hokey.

Even with this sequel's drawbacks, there were still lots of laughs. The Hansens can be counted on for that. There is some nudity and a brief sex scene that won't work for kids except maybe mature teenagers.

So don't go in expecting a clean follow-up to the original classic, just go in for some laughs and a few memories.

Another sequel that should never had been made.

[Xyon · 1/10 · 3 April 2002]

Please please please tell me what's the point of this movie? Why make a sequel if you aren't going to be original? The plot and the jokes are pretty much recycled from the first movie. The first movie was good, it was a cult classic.

The french translation of the first movie was a masterpiece. I still say that the french translated version of the first is better then the original English version (both are good in their own ways)

Here tho we get a bad attempt from the dubbing company to recapture the magic of the original french translation but all we get is a badly translated movie.

If you want my opinion this movie belongs in the trash can along with other bad sequels.

The Puck Stops Here!

[johnny-w · 10/10 · 11 October 2009]

Okay, I've always been one of those "The sequel is NEVER as good as the original" people, but let me tell you what: Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice is the exception to that rule.

I'll probably get laughed at for this, but the original Slap Shot does not even compare to this cinematic work of art, which is probably one of the best sequels to ever come out of Hollywood (as is Speed 2: Cruise Control).

Paul Newman's performance in the original Slap Shot does not hold a candle to the fine acting portrayed by the charming Stephen Baldwin. Stephen wowed us all with his role as Barney Rubble in The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, and he strikes again in this movie, proving that he really is Hollywood's Sequel King.

As if Baldwin wasn't enough reason to see this film, you have an all-star cast including A-list celebrity Gary Busey. Some are skeptical of Busey's talent, but come on: Rookie of the Year? The Gingerdead Man? The guy's got a resume that can't be topped by anyone in Hollywood, except for maybe his son Jake (of Road House 2: Last Call fame) who obviously got the "acting gene" from his dad!

I own this movie on both VHS and DVD, and am anxiously awaiting the Blu-Ray release.

Please pick up this movie - you will not be disappointed. Better yet, it's fun for the whole family, so you can share this film with your children. (My boys of 15 and 17 LOVE it.) So pop that popcorn, take a seat, and get set for some cinematic GOAL-D!

It should have been called - Breaking the Ice.

[blackhawks_fan54 · 7/10 · 30 October 2010]

I'm not sure if there are 'spoilers' in here but I am not giving the away the ending or anything.

Perhaps it should have been called - Breaking the ice. Without the Slapshot 2 moniker... Had that happened- I think people would not be comparing it to the original.

In order to appreciate this film- one has to think of the original Slapshot movie as band doing a debeut record. Then the band splits up and retains the main songwriter with new members and a different idea. Therefore- the second film is a 're invention' of that artist- doing something different from the first record.

Enter 2010. I have had this movie for 7 years, I've watched it three times.

First time I watched it back in '03- I felt the movie was nothing like the original and that it sucked like the majority of reviewers say...

Seven years later- third time viewing it and from a different perspective and an open mind- its not that bad of a movie. I'll give it 7 of 10 stars. Yes there are elements from the first that are not there but that doesn't mean its worth only 1 star. So we'll subtract three for various elements that are missing.

However- it still remains an independent type of film. The movie itself was NOT designed to be a blockbuster. I think that's the problem people have- they expect this thing to be off the hook hockey and nothing but it and want it to be like the original slapshot. To put it simply- breaking the ice was appended to the Slapshot moniker- for a reason.

Steven Baldwin's role as the coach does parallel some to Paul Newman's role in a certain sense. And the movie is full of Baldwin (Linden) playing mindgames with the team and the suit and tie types- as in the first one. You've got a character in Palmberg that resembles Moe a little bit with his high libido... a psychopath in a goalie much much worse than Dennis Lemeiux and the list goes on and on.

Yes- the Hansons are present and used sparingly. It is wise that they are not the main focal point of the movie as then it would be more of a comedy hour tour than resemble some sort of a movie. Don't get me wrong- we all love the Hansons...

So to summarize: To like and appreciate this movie, one has to watch it a few times- get into the mindset of the characters and what's going on. There is a plot- I don't agree with people who 'poke holes in it kindergarten style'... one could say that of the first film so in that sense- that it still retains the childlike antic and spirit of fun the first film has within it.

Slapshot 2 is an acquired taste- then again- hockey is a game that is an acquired taste as well...

If there were to be a third movie, that would make more sense and then people would perhaps- finally understand the idea- to make each film different from the first. Different scenario and plot, and of course the hansons return with a completely- different cast.

Slapshot III - the chiefs take on Bettman's no fighting league- Would be a perfect example of what I am trying to get at in this description/review. I hope maybe it turns a new light on the film for some of the haters out there. Slapshot 2 still a fun hockey-related movie and I would recommend it for at least for one view. I mean come on- do we really want hockey to wind up being like the Omaha Ice Breakers and sold out to the corporation moguls? :) Crack a cold one and have a few laughs with your friends.

Mighty Ducks with T&A

[cottrellpj · 4/10 · 30 March 2002]

I didn't have high expectations of this "straight to DVD" release, filmed in Vancouver and featuring the Hansons, but no other talent from the original, impeccable "Slap Shot". I rented it, made my way through it and shook my head at the lack of wit, the lack of atmosphere (the original made you feel you were living in a down-at-heel steeltown) and the homophobia/sexism. The "F" word is bandied about liberally, but it wasn't an organic part of the script, just an add-on to gain an R rating. The Hansons are clearly trying to keep their careers going, despite being rather long in the tooth. Don't talk to me about Baldwin's performance, either. This feels like a TV movie with some swearing and T&A glued on.

same old story

[boneidle2001 · 11 August 2002]

the same formula that's used for alot of poor quality sporting movies a hopeless team has to battle against the odds to get some dignity. Had a few moments where it was kinda funny but other then that it was just the same old story that holds true to the fact that most sequels aren't as good as the originals

Weak!!!!!

[Bourque77 · 5/10 · 20 August 2003]

Slap Shot 2 i thought had to be incredibly weak compared to the original. I mean Paul Newman & Strother Martin made classic performances, something both Stephen Baldwin & Gary Busey couldn't do, I mean they were a team of ragtag misfits just like in the original but the difference is that the first one they played in a league and actually had heart, grit & determination when they were winning, this one is just bad, they lose either way and don't have a real rhythm, just like the New York Rangers. I mean this movie could have been a lot worse, and if this was How To Kill A Film Franchise 101, I guess the film makers succeeded because the original had an awesome thing going but this sequel is nothing compared to the original, hopefully they don't make Slap Shot 3 and destroy this once great film series even more then it already has!!!

The Worst Sequel in History

[Pigbelly · 1/10 · 17 October 2006]

This movie is a travesty. As far as sequels go, I thought Blues Brothers 2000 was bad in a 'way too little way too late' kinda way. But, holy sh*t, this was bad. First, it has nothing to offer hockey fans. The film was made by people who don't know anything about hockey. Take the horrible coach characters. The figure skating guy is unbelievable as a coach and totally unfunny as a queer. He ruins the 'hockeyness' of the film. Second, this is a very bad film and should be stricken from the memory of anyone who enjoyed the original "Slapshot" or any hockey loving Canadian. Yes, Canadian, Americans couldn't tell the difference between hockey and disco dancing with all those goofy red and blue streaks all over the place on Fox. This is likely why this movie sucked so hard...it was made by Americans. Man I would rather watch the other American Hockey travesties like the idiotic chimp plays hockey film "Most Valuable Primate" or even Emelio-chimp in "D2: The Mighty Ducks" (yuck!) or even those boring bumholes in "Mystery, Alaska" than this frozen turd. This movie sucks the frozen poop out of a dead Eskimo.

An insult to the original classic.

[cewyble · 1/10 · 18 June 2023]

If you lived Slapshot then avoid this movie at all cost. It's complete garbage. Let's start with the old played out sports movie trope. Underperforming team is being sold and moved. How many times will this be done? Next is the girl boss new coach. She easily out performs professional men's hockey players on the ice. Why? Because she's a former hockey legends granddaughter. Now on to the bad guy. Of course he's a greedy conservative white male who just want to wreck hockey players dreams of playing the NHL. This movie uses hockey as a backdrop and not the centerpiece of the plot. And those poser Hanson Brothers, gimme a break....

Strong start, Weak Ending. Boring Plot

[AngelHonesty · 5/10 · 20 December 2023]

Seriously lacking. I liked the characters, it was a great cast. And as always it's fun to see Jessica Steen. But the story really ruined the movie. It was missing the seriousness of the sport. I could understand having the team make fun of hockey for some one the movie as a side gig or something while they played real games. But there were no real games. Instead it was all a joke. The lack of a serious storyline ruined it. Especially with having such a serious cast. If it was supposed to be a comedy it should have been had less serious actors and scripts.

I really enjoy Jessica Steen as an actress. As always she is fabulous . But the script and role she was given was horrible. Her character felt useless. She didn't actually get to train anyone. And they still had the original guy doing all the coaching. She was basically eye candy for most of the movie.

And as per usual. Everything about the movie was predictable. Same old story. Same formula. A team down on its luck who in the end for no apparent reason, suddenly without any extra training or anything. Is the best.

It passes the grade!

[mm-39 · 5/10 · 27 March 2002]

This film is a direct for video production, this fact gave me low expectations. Use the name of a succsessful comedy, and create part two usually equals an awful movie. I was wrong, this film is not bad, and not good either, but ok. It drags in the middle, has a few bad one liners, but the story is fresh, and some of the scenes work. I believe Dave Babitch (I know I spelled it wrong) from the Winnipeg Jets/Hartford Whalers/Vancouver Canucks is in this film, and the old Hanson brothers. Alex B's brother plays a believable role of a hockey captain, and the team everyone hates makes this film worth renting.

Decent direct-to-video movie

[nucksfan4life · 6/10 · 6 September 2002]

I found "Slap Shot 2" to be a movie that never captured whatever it was the original "Slap Shot" had. This is a bad thing. Comparing the acting skills of Steven Baldwin and Paul Newman is a no-brainer. Still, "Slap Shot 2" did have its moments, most of which were in scenes that toned down on the Baldwin factor. I liked the idea of the Harlem Globetrotters meet hockey. It made for a watchable plot. There were some moments of laugher as well, and all in all it was a fun watch, but this is a much poorer movie by far when compared to the original.

Charge!!!!

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 31 March 2020]

More hockey more fights more jokes but this time Gary Busey is in the movie

It's a sequel people, but is it faithful?

[Eyeliner · 2 November 2002]

Sequel yes, why? Who knows but if you take this movie into it's own little world and try and not link it to the first movie (which I must admit can be hard, with the original Hanson Brothers still on the same minor league ice hockey team) try not to think of it has a sequel because it will spoil the first one for you.

The first one was a cult classic hit for sport movies. But this one, isn't exactly the worst sport movie I've ever seen. The hockey probably wasn't enough to keep sport movie fans attentions, but it did have enough for the non sport lovers to actually think "oooh violence on ice-not bad" a little go ;)

Callum Keith Rennie (an astounded Canadian actor - who probably signed for this film because of the first ones status and a film about ice hockey) is slightly wasted in this movie. We can see him in other roles that show of his natural talents as a brilliant actor, but playing Palmberg, it was enough to keep watching and laughing.

A female coach... ohhh not really that much of a plot twister... and Stephen Baldwin's screen performance wasn't exactly fantastic.

I think people reacted badly to this film because of the first one. They should never have plainly labelled it as a sequel as the "straight to DVD" shows how much it was liked by audiences (it just wasn't.)

But I had four of my wisdom teeth removed the weekend I rented this and it kept me occupied long enough to forget about the big open wounds in my gums, so really, give this film a chance. You can laugh, if you can just get over the fact that this film is a sequel. - :)

Not a "classic" but a worthy sequel to the original.

[chazwhite · 9/10 · 3 April 2002]

I went into this movie with very LOW expectations (after all, it IS a straight to video flick staring to the most marginal of the Baldwin boys). After viewing the film, I very happy to say I found the movie to be a worthy sequel to the 1977 classic (so long as you can overlook the cliché Hollywood sports movie ending). Over the years, people's fondness for the original has exaggerated the comedic aspect of the movie into more than it really was. I never really felt the original was a "comedy" (although with a few bits that are funny as hell). In line with that observation, this movie shouldn't really be labeled a comedy either. The thing that made the first movie great, was not the "comedy", but the fact that it captured a moment in sports history that (even at the time) has vanished. Combined with an ending that broke the rules for sports movies the original became a "classic". This sequel is not a classic (mostly due to its very predictable Hollywood ending), but this new version IS a good little sports movie that tells a good hockey story. Bottom line of this review is that I feel the movie was probably a bit cheated by not receiving a theatrical release, but it does shine as a top notch straight to video flick. At under $20, it's a good addition to the collection for fans of the original. As a newbe to the world of Slap Shot, it's worth a rent. Even my wife who hates hockey AND the original movie, liked this sequel.

Beyond Horrible

[pk-2 · 12 May 2006]

I'm a huge fan of the first movie. And watch it every chance i get on cable. And had no idea there was a sequel till i saw it on AMC recently. I said to myself, what the heck. I'll give it a lookover. I noticed from the IMDb profile that they got the original Hanson brothers to play there roles. And they really look the same. I didn't recognize no one else from the original. Baldwin and the rest of this cast are terrible. There's nothing funny or even interesting here. Its a terrible movie in every way and form. And Stephen Balwin as the captain? You could of cast Pauly Shore and make it more believable. If there was going to be a sequel it should of been done right after the original. Maybe have them moving to Florida like the Newman made up in the first movie. When was this in the theater if at all? I keep up on new movies, whether in the theater or made for cable. This one must be thee old- straight to video cat.