Warning: ‘Baby Geniuses 2’ may cause insanity

Fri., Aug. 27, 2004

Tom Long The Detroit News

There are many reactions a reasonably intelligent human older than age 7 might have to watching “SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2.”

If a person ran out of the theater shrieking “My eyes! My eyes!” this reaction would be more than understandable.

There’s always the chance that a person might actually laugh. But this would be the twisted, maniacal laugh of those who soon will be reduced to eating insects and communicating with cleaning products.

“SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2” is a sequel to “Baby Geniuses.” It is perhaps the most incompetent and least funny comic film ever made. There aren’t even any good diaper jokes.

Instead, there are four faintly cute babies – and the term baby gets a stretch here because a couple of these kids seem to be pushing 30 – who run around in diapers and speak in baby talk that they jointly understand. None of them acts particularly bright in any way.

Now get this: They somehow get involved in a plot by a former Nazi (Jon Voight) to brainwash all the children of the world.

Luckily, the Nazi has a pint-size, post-baby arch-nemesis named Kahuna who has super strength and wants to save all the children on the planet. He lives in a cheesy Willy Wonka rip-off wonderland located right behind the Hollywood sign. All the babies get to visit and they all party down.

No, I am not making this up.

The babies’ mouths are manipulated to make it seem like they’re talking, but director Bob Clark doesn’t even bother to make sure their facial expressions or other movements match the dialogue.

And really, why would he? The whole thing’s so inane.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.