Martial-12

*Amazon.com* Proving that sequels rarely measure up, Son of Flubber reunites cast, director (Robert Stevenson), studio (Disney), and concept (an eccentric inventor, played by Fred MacMurray, makes odd products with hilarious side effects), and still isn't as good as its predecessor, The Absent Minded Professor. MacMurray and company turn their attention to some new inventions, including flubber gas and dry rain, and while there's plenty of comedy to be had, the film is finally spotty and wears out its welcome. On the plus side, Paul Lynde is a funny addition to this follow-up. --Tom Keogh
	Son of Flubber - VHS
*Amazon.com* Disney couldn't resist the temptation to remake 1961's popular comedy The Absent Minded Professor, so they cast Robin Williams as Professor Philip Brainard (a role vaguely related to the character originated by Fred MacMurray), and the result is a comedy that, frankly, doesn't fully deserve its modest success. It's admittedly clever to a point, and certainly the digitally "flubberized" special effects provide the kind of movie magic that's entertaining for kids and parents alike. The professor can't even remember his own wedding day (much to the chagrin of his fiancée, played by Marcia Gay Harden), and now his academic rival (Christopher McDonald) is trying to steal his latest and purely accidental invention--flying rubber, or ... flubber. The green goo magnifies energy and can be used as an amazing source of power, but in the hands of screenwriter John Hughes it becomes just another excuse to recycle a lot of Home Alone-style slapstick humor involving a pair of bumbling would-be flubber thieves. There's also a floating robot named Weebo and some catchy music by Danny Elfman to accompany dancing globs of flubber, but the story's too thin to add up to anything special. Lightweight fun, but, given the title, it lacks a certain bounce. Of course, that didn't stop Disney's marketing wizards from turning it into a home-video hit. --Jeff Shannon
	Flubber -- VHS Flubber -- DVD