Disappointing sequel has George Burns returning as the big G, but not John Denver(much missed here). Instead, it has young actress Louanne playing a little girl who is supposed to spread the word about God, but meets much resistance from disbelieving adults.Pity this film is so predictable and unconvincing, despite Burn's best efforts, the script is weak, providing few laughs, and little insight. This story was covered far more effectively in the original, and this plays less like "Book II/Part II" than it does a failed pilot to a proposed TV series.There was a third film, which I haven't seen("Oh God! You Devil") Don't plan on seeing it either.First film was definitive, and near perfect; the studio should have left well enough alone...
... View MoreBurns was amazing, hes appearance is lovable, he is good man, you can see that energy in every movie where he plays.Why i adore first and this one movie? No violence! At all! I respect that very much!!!Because we are all sick of holly-wood imbecility with "people killing people-you enjoy" movie types +amorality of all kind, bestiality in almost every movie nowadays.Oh,God! and Oh,God!Book 2 is salve on wound, song for soul, message of love and innocence.We need more movies like this. Definitely.
... View MoreI have always been surprised about the negative reviews concerning this movie. While I can accept that it's not a classic film by any means, Oh God! Book II still has some funny one-liners and a chemistry between the characters that works. George Burns and Louanne did a fine job together. They are really what the movie is about.The story involves Tracey Richard's (Louanne) who's father is involved in advertising. She is approached by God (Burns) who asks her to assist, along with her friends and classmates, to help spread the message that "God should be in people's thoughts more often." While the scenario is predictable, her friends accept the idea, the adults in the movie all think she is crazy after telling them about her visits with "The Almighty." This leads to such things as Tracy getting expelled from school and an insanity hearing where God shows up to help save the day, and prove to the adults that who Tracy communicated with was not imaginary.I think the critics that bash this film as some sort of religious propaganda take the movie too seriously. This is more of a relax and enjoy the simple chemistry between the immensely talented George Burns and the more intelligent than the adults realize in the movie, Louanne. I believe they had a great time making this film together! One could argue that Tracy's parents, (David Birney and Suzanne Pleshette) exist in superficial roles. However, the focus is strong enough for Burns and Louanne to carry the movie by themselves, and in the opinion of this reviewer, it seems to work. For whatever reason, I am drawn back to watch this film when I see it is on, so it can't be ALL BAD.There are also some edited scenes that I saw once on the broadcast TV versions that aren't available on premium cable and AFAIK the same applies to this footage missing on VHS/DVD releases as well. I do not recall seeing the original theatrical release back in 1980 when it first came out. But here are the edited scenes: 1.) When Tracy is looking for "God" he gives her an ice cream cone in a park. There is another scene where Tracy sees an ice-cream vendor in the park who looks like "God." She runs to him and yells out, "God!" The vendor turns around and says, "Hi Sweetie, what flavor?" Tracy apologizes to the man and dejectedly walks away. We know that this scene was originally included in the movie because it is mentioned by the psychiatrist Dr. Newall when he is talking to her parents AND by Tracy herself at her insanity hearing. But this scene apparently no longer exists. (At lest not in premium cable and presumably DVD/VHS copies of the film.) 2.) There is another deleted scene with Tracy and "God" talking about meeting together to work on the campaign slogan. She says, "Let's do what my Dad does, have a business lunch." This is also indirectly referenced when Tracy's father tells her that if he were going to "sell the high qualities of a person, he would take that person to lunch." The McDonald's scene with Tracy and God remains in all prints to my knowledge, but the conversation with God and she about "having a business lunch." also no longer seems to exist.My guess is that these were scenes added for broadcast TV viewing and it would be interesting to see them again. If you have a commercial TV version of this movie, watch for them! It's funny how I can't recall hardly a thing about the first Oh God! movie with John Denver. But, I can't forget this sequel! Listen to Burns' comments about how life can't be created with just one side to it. It is VERY MOVING! The ending is also surprisingly touching.
... View MoreAll throughout history since time immemorial, there has been a conflict between religion and science (or I guess I should say between church and state). People who read the Bible believe in God and accept him and his teachings as a matter of simple Christian Faith. However, the scientists say "We need proof that we can put under our microscopes". I think it took a lot of courage for Hollywood to make the "Oh God" series and I thank them for it. George Burns and John Denver were wonderful in the original. It was one of the first movies that I saw as a kid and I couldn't think of a better one. George took the role of God very seriously, he even consulted with Jimmy Stewart and Orson Welles before he played it can you believe that? He asked them how you would play God (Orson Welles told him "I would play him sitting down"). This is a wonderful sequel. You might ask why God would come down to earth again, well when he did before he made the studio so much money thats why? A young actress with only one screen name Louanne takes John Denver's place in the film and she does a wonderful job. She was such a good little actress that I always wondered what happened to her. I'll bet she and George had a ball making this film, it shows in the finished product and there is wonderful "chemistry" between them. It kind of chilled me when they thought the little girl was crazy for talking to God and wanted to put her in an insane asylum. It chilled me and it also made me very angry at a society that is hostile towards religion and God's word. It is almost as if we live in a world that glorifies evil and condemns good. This is a film that is very rare indeed because it is one with a message that makes you think long after the final credits and it is due to George Burn's wonderful performance. This man was an American treasure. What really amazes me is that he didn't act in the traditional sense until he was almost 80 years old and made The Sunshine Boys. As far as I am concerned, all acting students should watch his work in that film and in the Oh God series. They will see a master at work. This is a rare sequel indeed, it is as fine as the original. It will leave you with a sore belly from laughing, but also with a slight lump in your throat.
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