Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time (1991)

It's Beastmaster meets Back to the Future, if the poster is any indication.

Taking a completely different tack than its predecessor, an interdimensional pathway has been opened up leading to 1990s Los Angeles. And it's quite a culture shock! Especially for the viewer. This is a much more tongue-in-cheek, non-serious film, but the gamble pays off as it's a new take on the usual sword and sorcery tropes. I understand why people might despise this new direction, but it's a novel way to evolve the material. The Highlander influence is strong.

2½ ferrets out of 5

Mirror, Mirror 2: Raven Dance (1994)

aka Mirror Mirror II:  Raven Dance

Marlee and her younger brother are residents at an orphanage run by nuns. The old building also houses the titular mirror, stored in a cupboard, easily accessible, just waiting to be rediscovered!
MM2 has a trio of actors that I usually enjoy seeing at work, namely Roddy McDowall, Veronica Cartwright and William Sanderson, so I gave it a try. As expected, the three stars are entertaining. Also, young actress Tracy Wells was likeable and does an okay job, especially during the dance scenes.
The looking glass does very little other than sit in a corner and try to be menacing with its blue filter vision (why blue and not green?). When it does finally get its shit together and does something it's suitably cheesy.

2 chairs on strings out of 5

Superman II (1980)

The writing team fix some of the problems that plagued the first film but throw in some new ones to replace them.
There's danger this time. The trio of antagonists have a legitimate reason for targeting the man in tights and the ability to carry out their threat. It’s lucky that the Kryptonian language is the same as English.
Superman pulls some new powers out of his repertoire that he didn't have before; they’re called his deus ex machina powers.
Again, Reeve and Kidder save the film from itself. When Reeve is out of costume he’s acting as Superman who's acting as Clark Kent; that’s talent.

3 product placements out of 5

Conan the Destroyer (1984)

0 camels out of 5