Lost in San Francisco' (G)
By Kevin McManus
Washington Post Staff Writer
March 08, 1996
Yup, they're loose again: canines Shadow and Chance and their cat pal Sassy. And yup, in "Homeward Bound II," these three are every bit as waggish and resourceful as they were last time they romped over rugged terrain.
This time, though, the hapless pets aren't up against the bears, mountain lions and porcupines of 1993's original "HB." This Disney sequel has set them scot-free in San Francisco, where predators include ill-tempered mutts and dogcatchers with ghastly intentions.
Michael J. Fox and Sally Field reprise their roles as the voices of American bulldog Chance and Himalayan cat Sassy. And Ralph Waite does the honors for golden retriever Shadow, the seasoned leader of the trio.
This comic adventure, directed by David R. Ellis, gets rolling at the city airport, where the pets escape from their travel cages and vamoose as their owners roar off on vacation. Shadow knows that home is just over the "Golden Bridge," and he intends to get the trio there safely.
But the trip won't be quick or smooth. There's a child trapped in a burning building—Shadow and Sassy to the rescue! There's a cute female stray who wants to lure Chance away from his pampered life as a pet—watch out for the jealous boyfriend. And, intermittently, there are stalkings and snatchings by evil men in a blood-red van.
"Homeward Bound II," like its predecessor, thrives on a mixture of amusing patter (especially between Fox and Field), slam-bang pacing, okay sight gags and a solidly constructed story. The tone is ideal for a family audience. The length is perfect. And the sequence of last-minute surprises elicits tears and laughter in just the right proportions.
Here's hoping these pets don't remain safe at home forever.
HOMEWARD BOUND II (G) — Contains nothing offensive, though kids under 5 may be frightened by a scene in which a child is trapped in a burning house.
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