I love this movie but would like to make a few comments. I do not know why they did not use Sweeney and Kelly again. I think it always hurts a sequel when they change actors. Also the picture they used in the skating rink of the pair receiving the gold medal was wrong. The costumes where black and white. The stand-in they had for Ross Thomas had red hair and you could always tell when it was not him skating. Sorry but this is my opinion. Would love to see Thomas and Romano play in another movie but that never happens and don't ask how many times I have watched this movie. I just watched number 3 and was very disappointed in the fact that they implied that Jackie and Alex were not together. It ruined the second one. This movie will always be one of my favorites. Thank you for your attention. Lou

"Cutting Edge 2: Going For The Gold" is technically a sequel to The Cutting Edge (1992), but is constructed as an A-list audition vehicle for child prodigy, and Disney phenom, Christy Carlson Romano, one she passes with flying colors. Look for one or more starring roles in big-budget films from her in the next few years. Romano brings a level of talent, professionalism, and depth to this film that rivals Jackie Dorsey's (Romano) dominance over her skating rivals. Via Jackie, Romano completely dominates the film, the center of a circle, with all supporting characters equidistant along the circumference. The producers elected to use the long-overdue, and eagerly anticipated, sequel to the 1992 classic, one of the most underrated romantic comedies of all time as a showcase for Romano, to answer the question of whether or not she can carry a film as an adult. She most definitely can. She is so methodically proficient it makes everyone else's competent work look poor. This film was likely chosen as the vehicle because Romano's character is new, allowing her to build it from scratch.Romano's first hurdle was to evolve Kate (Stephanie Kramer) and Doug Dorsey's (Scott Thompson Baker) bloodline, and she proved an excellent student of the film's history. Jackie has Kate's beauty, grace, and refinement, strengthened by Doug's physical strength and hockey-player temperament. Her total fleshing out of Jackie makes it easy to assemble a "pinwheel" cast that does little more than play off her, with each character symbolized by its portrayer.Through a picture of Doug and Kate on the podium, we learn they medaled in 1992. We also learn that Doug and Kate now live in perfect, retired harmony, content to live vicariously through their daughter's intensity. Their vow not to push Jackie into figure-skating resulted in Jackie pushing herself harder than even her grandfather had pushed Kate. Instead of skating tips, a ticket to Los Angeles and a swiped pair of skates induce a much-needed vacation, as Jackie was pushing herself too much in recovery from a broken leg that converted her into a pairs skater who couldn't find a partner. Fans of the original film know that a fish-out-of-water will stumble into the sport, and Jackie's heart, and that the hardest trick the talented pair will have to learn is conquering its emotions. Enter extreme skater and slacker extraordinaire, Alex Harrison (newcomer Ross Thomas), a brief love interest upon meeting Jackie on the beach.This film disposes of the "talent question" quickly, by depicting Alex as a world-class skating acrobat, whose only barrier to figure-skating glory is motivation, and the ability to conform to a structured environment. We see tricks that make it very clear that once he "figures" out ice skates, the rest will come quickly, and naturally. A dynasty like the Dorseys stays on top by keeping an open mind, as Kate did when Alex showed up after three months of learning the basics. While all Jackie saw was red, Kate saw a "natural" with "no bad habits" that she could whip into Olympic shape, if only she could get him on the same page as her daughter, while remaining well aware of how much Alex is like Doug.Like Harrison, Thomas is more or less along for the ride, present primarily to showcase Romano's acting talents, while a bit raw, and out of his creative element. Like Jackie does with Alex, Romano brings out the best in Thomas, going out of her way to make him better, and to allow him to make her better. Both Alex and Thomas are vital to the plot, but Christy and Jackie are always in charge.Unfortunately, once you move past the four leads, the film falls apart. The peripheral cast, particularly the skaters, are well portrayed, with each given a bit of an ice showcase, rather than serving as mere elimination fodder for the leads, who are confident throughout the film that victory is imminent. This film would offer no miracles, no Pamchenko, and no need for anything but Jackie to keep her emotions in check, and Alex to continue to thrive in his newly structured environment, one he sought out because, as he said, he likes to challenge himself and work hard. The skating scenes have the lead pair repeatedly playing off each other's talent in a way that allows them to dominate the sport, as long as they remain focused on the skating, rather than the growing, alternating attraction they alternately deny. Kim Kindrick turns in a forgettable performance as Heidi, who takes over the "role" of Hale from the original.The only area where Romano is not convincing is not her fault: Jackie is just not BUILT like a figure-skater, and definitely not one who can do triples. Think "Tonya Harding" for the proper athletic build. Someone like Shawn Johnson (the gymnast) would have been a much more convincing lead. Romano is too lanky for this film, but her acting gets her a pass.The director did a horrible job with continuity, such as when Doug claims to have skated in a playoff game, despite his career ending as an amateur, or where Jackie says Alex is "engaged" before he announces it. Her body language and chemistry with Thomas were stellar, enough to earn this film a place in the series. Those who wish to trash this film as a lousy sequel do not understand its purpose, and haven't seen the third installment, which proves that a lot more could have gone wrong with this surprisingly decent film.Romano has proved that she can drive even a broken-down script. It's time to give her a Jaguar and let her rip apart the speedway. The right role could easily land her an Oscar. Like Jackie, she's bank.

i just watched this movie last night.i had fairly high hopes,although i knew it wouldn't outdo the original.this one is really a rehash of the original,but with different characters.This time around,it's Jackie Dorsie(son of Kate Mosely,now Mosely-Dorsey and Doug Dorsey,from the original).Moira Kelly and D.B Sweeney do not return as "older" Kate and Doug,but Stepfanie Kramer and Scott Thompson Baker both do okay in the roles,and Baker actually looks quite a bit like the older version of Doug might be,although they have relatively little screen time.that is reserved for the character of Jackie(Christy Carlson Romano),also surprise,surprise a champion figure skater,with her own diva attitude.Her eventually training partner is extreme in line skater Alex Harrison(Ross Thomas)naturally these 2 have little in common and can't stand each other,but that doesn't come across as strongly as it should.there is less intensity between them,and the chemistry doesn't always seem quite there.you could call this "Cuttin Edge" lite.they could have made the animosity between the 2 stronger and more pronounced.also,some of the lines they had seemed contrived.the writing could have been stronger.the actors themselves aren't bad,but the script makes it harder for them to seem genuine.even many scenes which don't include the 2 leads together come across as clichéd.there are also times when he movie drags.this is a direct to video movie,and it is almost too family friendly for this type of material.it has a Disney feel to it.there is nothing wrong with a Disney movie per se,but this movie lacked the edge it should have had.the music is not too bad,but nothing really memorable or catchy.i won't say this is a bad movie,because I've seen a lot of bad movies,and this movie is nowhere near as bad as any of them.it just could have been better,given the potential.Christy Carlson Romano has made a career(thus far,anyway)out of mostly straight to video family movies,and of course the TV series Even Stevens(which i really like) and other TV show appearances.i think she can break out of this mold and graduate to more adult fare,given the right material,if she wanted.she certainly has the potential.anyway,back to the film,i'd have to give it 6/10

But I wound up watching this movie on a Sunday afternoon and I enjoyed it. Admittedly, I ingested six Shiner Bock's before viewing and a couple while watching it. Still, I stand by my positive review. I'm not going to try to defend the film in any intellectual way. It's no Kurosawa or Truffaut piece of work. I can only defend it in the same way I would a Journey song: Yes, it's corny, but I am drunk so screw you. Is that too confrontational? I'm sorry, I'm drunk. Whoops, I just spilled my beer. Party foul. At this point I'd go into an irrational diatribe about the Mariner's inept hitting at too loud a volume. Where was I? Oh, yeah. I have to say, the criticism of Christy Carlson Romano acting seems out of place. She's given a character that has no internal logic by the writers and does the best that could be done with it. Her scene at the door where she confesses her love for her partner is particularly good, to my senses. Any way, I feel kind of unmasculine now so I'm going to go watch Commando for the seven hundredth time. 6 stars.