10 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, January 19, 1996 Nothing new with 'Lawnmower 2' Disappointing sequel fails to tread on any new turf By Prashant Tamaskar Daily Arts Writer When "Lawnmower Man" was re- leased in 1992, the idea of virtual real- ity was fairly new and interesting. But as the concept became more of a reality than a fantasy, public interest in virtual reality eventually declined. And unfortunately, this makes the current release of"Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace," even more ques- Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace Directed by Farhad Mann; with Matt Frewer At Showcase tionable, considering it would have been better off cashing in on its popularity years ago. However, if and probably when the movie fails, the overall qual- ity-of the film will be a more probable cause than the timing. As the film begins, we are reintro- duced to the crippled, disabled Jobe (Matt Frewer), who is reconstructed mentally by the head of a huge research corporation. Jobe, once reconstructed, is assigned to create a micro-chip, that through virtual reality, will allow him access to the finances of everyone in the world. However, Jobe himself plans on ulti- mately rendering the outside world ob- solete and becoming the ruler of the virtual world. The only people who can stop Jobe from achieving his goal are his young friend from "Lawnmower Man," Peter (Austin O' Brien), and Dr. Trace Benjamin (Patrick Bergin), the originator of virtual reality. To understand this sequel, it is al- most necessary to have seen the origi- nal movie. However, the film does not necessarily resume where its predeces- sor left off. It also lacks any of the suspense of the first movie. The plot itselfis rather muddled, and, at times, is not very easy to follow. Furthermore, it is difficult to believe that Jobe would be left in charge of creating a chip that was meant to assist someone else, but could be manipu- lated to serve his own purposes. And as to be expected, "Lawnmower Man 2" relies far too much on dazzling graphics and not enough on solid writ- ing. The film's attempt to impress the viewer with these images and sets is unsuccessful mainly because they are not unique. In fact, the first "Lawn mower Man" had graphics that were visually more stimulating. Although virtual reality is the major technological curiosity involved in the first movie, the sequel combines it with the ubiquitous information superhigh- way. In this case, by connecting onto every link of the information super- highway, Jobe envisions controlling much of the external world. Jobe plans on forcing people into his virtual reality system, where he will be in power. Unfortunately, the film does not offer a completely satisfactory explanation of how all of this could transpire. Matt Frewer("Max Headroom") stars as Jobe; he is actually impressive as the disabled learner turned genius. He is frightening once the viewergets a sense of his desire for power. The only man who can stop him is Benjamin. The problem with Benjamin is not Bergin, who is adequate, but rather, the characterization of him as an aging rebel. Upon first glance, it is hard to take him seriously. And, for some- "Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. I have found out the secret to Oprah's new look. It will be mine. She will be mine. Oh, yes. ALL MINE!" one who at first knows little of the advances made on his invention, he figures out far too much too quickly throughout the movie. With a little more work, "Lawnmower Man 2" could have been a pretty good sequel. But instead, the directors chose to make the visual stimulus the central focus of the film. Unfortunately, this also leads to the addition of several marginal action scenes. And in the end; the change in style marks a violation of the spirit ofthe first "Lawnmower Mare -those who enjoyed the original are ir for a huge disappointment. U RECORDS Continued from Page 8 lating: The la-la vocals, alternately serene and ominous keyboard tracks and sine-curve album artwork are all classic Stereolab, and don't disguise the fact that Flowchart is a bad Xerox of a great band. But it's the fact that they're ripping off a great band that makes Flowchart fairly easy to listen to. While epic-length songs like "Metro Survey" and "Do Oscillators Have Wings" last longer than the band's creativity does, some of the shorter songs like "Hero Wine," "Laser Printer Work- shop" and "New Radiolab Rip-Off' (which shows the band has a sense of 1I~ humorabout itself) are decent recreations of Stereolab's enjoyable and experimen- tal sound. But that's all they'll ever be - recreations. If you're a Stereolab fan and have all the albums and B-side collec- tions, and can't wait until March for the group's new record, pick up "Multi-per- sonality Tabletop Vacation" for a laugh. Otherwise, start at the source for this kind of music. - Heather Phares Stratotanker Baby, Test The Sky Homestead Records Stratotanker's debut full-length al- bum flies straight from the heart of indie-rock kitsch. It also flies from that bizarre place where music is the back- drop for the starry attitude of a quartet who are all too happy to shine and wallow in the funkiness of irrationality. First, there's the rumbling vocals of Dicky Dahl. Then there's the organ and the flute. Is it jazz? Is it the B-52's? Is it just ludicrously tasty lounge music? Maybe the best way to describe Stratotanker's music is to say it would be exactly the right soundtrack for a day spent at the amusement park while wear- ing a polyester pantsuit and not giving a damn. The second track, "Pure Pleasure," is an instrumental throwback to a time when an organ was the instrument that made music cool. "Armour of Gusto" could be a forgotten Pixies track, espe- cially with the Frank Black-esque ego- inspired lyrics like, "I just keep chew- ing my tongue and wearing my armour of gusto." The track "Brand New Heaven" is just plain hilarious with Dahl speaking over drums and flute about cold Cappucino. "Baby, Test The Sky" is an album that is fun both lyrically and musically. How can you not respect a band who dares to title a song "Woolly Lemur"? Stratotanker's jazz tempo sound is both respectable and off-the-wall enough to make you take a serious listen. The unique sound of this New York City quartet is completely refreshing in a time when musical experimentation and mock fashion attitude is all too rare. - Shannon O'Neill Various Artists Empire Records. The Soundtrack A&M In recent years, the soundtracks for films have evolved from film scores to corporate scores - score one for the lucky film (and record label) with a hit soundtrack. Sometimes this marketing ploy has brought obscure or underappreciated performers into the mainstream, such as Lisa Loeb ("Real- ity Bites") and Lou Barlow's Folk Im- plosion ("Kids"), and at times alterna- tive music-based soundtracks have out- stripped the sales and success of the movies from which they were spawned Wild, crazy punk-rockers the Gin Blossoms smoke candy cigarettes when MomMA isn't looking. Heyl Isn't the guy on the far right from Hootle and the Blowfish? 1:30 4:30 7:00 9:15 I Back by popular demand!!! -IL 'POSTINO ( The Postman ) 7:00 pm only ("Reality Bites" again). The "Empire Records" soundtrack both follows and breaks the traditional pattern of hip movie soundtracks. The movie "Empire Records" is mysteri- ously and conspicuously absent from theatrical release, perhaps because it entered and exited theaters in a flash, or perhaps because its creators are fixing whatever ails it. Yet even without the help of Liv Tyler and her little plastic record shop-workin', head-shavin' car- digan wearin' pals, the album has scored impressive sales (at least more impres- sive than its movie has) and sports an impressive roster of commercially-vi- able alternative acts, as well as a few surprises. 1:30 Saturday & Sunday Only : 11:30 Fri and Sat Only Ii NEW BAND, GREAT PRICE ALL ROC OPISOUL CD's One of these surprises is the Martinis an as-yet-unsigned group that includes two members of one of the best bands of the last decade, the Pixies, in its fold Drummer David Lovering and guitarist Joey Santiago, along with Santiago's wife Linda, turn in one of the finest songs or the album, "Free." Linda Santiago's voice sounds like another one of the Pixie* Kim Deal (whom you may know bettei from the Breeders and the Amps). Thiw' gentle but soaring tune, laced witF Santiago's trademark loopy guitar lines focused by Lovering's tight drumming and embellished with Linda Santiago's warm, inviting voice, isn't just filledwith potential. Itscreams,"SIGN THIS BAND NOW!" Other little-known bands include( on the "Empire Records" soundtra<* are Drill, whose shrill, hypnotic "Wha You Are" recalls Siouxsie and theBan. shees and Throwing Muses, and the unimpressive hippie-rock of Coyote Shivers' "Sugarhigh." As far as the big hitters go, the Gir Blossoms, Cranberries, Toad the Wer Sprocket and Better Than Ezra each dc what makes them sell so many records. Middle-size artists like Edwyn Collin: and the Innocence Mission both turn catchy, more-than-respectable son. with the slinky, infectious "A Girl Likc You," and the dreamy "Bright as Yel low," respectively. Aside from the Martinis, the bigges surprise of "Empire Records: Th Soundtrack" is that there's barely i movie to go along with it. But unlik that rarely-seen piece of celluloid, th soundtrack is not a total stinkeroo. - Heather Phar. ON SALEL $ 99 I or hig her $300 OFF $00 OFF It Do~iwn S anv - Awalitt, ia~t# 11 Hear it on our listening station. H .UR.RY SALE ENDS THURSDAY, JANUARY 25th Buy Sale items excluded. Prices based on our regular, it everyday prices. Limited to stock on hand. Sorry for no rain checks. COME AND CHECK OUT OUR BOOK DEPARTMENT, IT'S BEEN MOVED TO THE POP FLOOR AND LOOKS GREAT! OFF ANY BOOK 10 WITH TH IS COUPON (excludes sale items and remainders) coupon has no cash value, expires 1/25/96 AIl HEADPHONES fD I flfQ lrAy I EYE Continued from Page 8 k STOCK UP ON nURACE KI LL r0 This week's Top 5 1. APOLLO 13................ $14.99 2. RESERVOIR DOGS ...... $13.99 3. PAMELA ANDERSON ...$13.99 4. BATMAN .....f.............$13.99 5. TRUE ROMANCE ........ $13.99 The University of Michigan School of Music Monday, January 22 Dance Lecture/Demonstration Rehearsal of Carmina Burana Betty Pease Studio Theatre, 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 24 Faculty Recital Beethoven's Trios for Piano, Clarinet and Cello Erling Blondal Bengtsson, cello Anton Nel, piano Fred Onci_ crine wonderful as the sympathetic, loviig Mack McCann who supports his' Wife - even when she starts getting just,. little bit too psycho. At first, we'a'ri- uncertain of his emotions concernint the death of his stepdaughter. But hour into the movie, his feelings and hi stability shine through. We are ifft pressed by the naturalness with wh he portrays his character. Kiefer Sutherland also gives a fin performance as Robert Doob, the deliv cry man from hell. He salivates, scowl and sounds just like any psychopathi" a made-for-TV movie. And Sutherli makes his audience think of hitW : actly as they are supposed to: Boy, th man is one sick puppy. Although convinced by these tw characters, we cannot form such a soli opinion about Sally Field's pef mance. And it's not even Field's faul We've simply seen her transfornaticq from weak-to-paranoid-to-obsessedt Just out...John Woo's A BETTER TOMORROW $10.99 I I