The first “Arthur” film was a lovely little film that was very funny while “Arthur 2: On The Rocks” shows you that you can follow a clear formula but you are not guaranteed another hit. It’s hard to explain exactly how but this sequel just misses the mark.

Millionaire playboy and drunkard Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore “Bedazzled”) is back. His wife Linda (Liza Minnelli “Cabaret”) wants a baby but cannot have children so the two decide to go down the adoption route. Things turn disastrous when Arthur is cut off from his wealthy by Susan’s father, who demands that Arthur marry Susan. Now penniless, Arthur and Linda try to live a normal life.

The Arthur character was so darn likeable in the first movie but here the script just is not anywhere near as funny. Dudley Moore is clearly trying but the dialog here just does not pack the same punch. Liza Minnelli is given a lot more to do in this one and she is okay. The two have good chemistry so it’s a shame that the movie rarely makes you smile. The other characters are okay but there is nobody particularly special that I feel like singling out.

“Arthur 2: On The Rocks” is not really a bad movie but it never made me laugh like the first one did. It’s a relatively harmless comedy, just do not expect any big laughs. People often talk about how lightning never strikes twice and that is clearly the case with the “Arthur” movies. It’s definitely an unnecessary sequel; I saw no real potential for a sequel after viewing the first one. If you still have not seen the first movie then I suggest you watch that. For those that are absolutely desperate to see another film with the Arthur character then I guess this will have to suffice.