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Mannequin Two: On the Move

Mannequin Two: On the Move (1991)

Although Jason works as a department store clerk, he is also a reincarnated prince. Long ago, his beloved Jessie was snatched away from him by an evil wizard who used his powers to transform her into wooden statue. Now Jessie is in Jason's department store as a mannequin. When he encounters her, she awakens from her thousand-year sleep. They quickly revive their romance, but the evil wizard has been reincarnated as well, and he's up to no good.

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Directed by Stewart Raffill

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Stewart Raffill
Writer
  • Edward Rugoff
  • David Isaacs
  • Ken Levine
  • Betsy Israel
Producer
  • Edward Rugoff

Reviews

r96sk
4/10

<em>'Mannequin Two: On the Move'</em> does a great job at showing how badly the first film could've went, had they got it wrong (which they didn't, thankfully). This sequel to that 1987 movie is absolutely awful, it dragged hard for me; a final 30mins has rarely felt as long as this.

Kristy Swanson and William Ragsdale don't do much wrong themselves in the two lead roles, though their characters are portrayed/written woefully. Nice to see Meshach Taylor again, even if he isn't as good as before; Taylor is the only actor from last time out to return.

It's simply a knock off/cash grab/whatever of the first flick. They even try to force a new song on us, in this case "Can't Believe My Eyes" - they play the same part of it at least three times. It's no "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now", that's for sure.

Mar 10, 2025

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Thematic Analysis

As a science fiction narrative, Mannequin Two: On the Move explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.

Director Stewart Raffill brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1991, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Mannequin Two: On the Move took approximately 9 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • With a budget of $13.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 95 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 136 minutes long.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
  • The screenplay went through 9 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.

Historical Context

  • In 1991, when this film was released:
  • The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
  • The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

While Mannequin Two: On the Move shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Ma Belle, My Beauty, which focuses more on action than character development, Mannequin Two: On the Move offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.

While films like Joyland and Sign explore similar territory, Mannequin Two: On the Move stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: May 17, 1991
  • Runtime: 1h 35m
  • Budget: $13,000,000
  • Revenue: $3,800,000

Where to Watch

Amazon Prime Video
fuboTV
MGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
MGM Plus
Philo
Amazon Prime Video with Ads

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