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House Party 2
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| House Party 2 | |
|---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Doug McHenry George Jackson |
| Written by | Daryl G. Nickens Rusty Cundieff |
| Based on | Characters created by Reginald Hudlin |
| Produced by | Doug McHenry George Jackson Janet Grillo Pat Golden Suzanne Broderick |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Francis Kenny |
| Edited by | Joel Goodman |
| Music by | Vassal Benford |
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5 million |
| Box office | $19.4 million[1] |
House Party 2 is a 1991 American comedy film and the second in the House Party film series. Kid 'n Play, Full Force, Tisha Campbell, and Martin Lawrence reprise their roles from the first film, with Iman, Queen Latifah, and Georg Stanford Brown joining the cast. There are guest appearances by Tony! Toni! Toné! and Ralph Tresvant. It was directed by Doug McHenry and George Jackson, and written by Daryl G. Nickens and Rusty Cundieff.
In contrast to the original, the film places less focus on the party aspect of the plot and more on the characters' personal lives, from dating to education and career ambitions. The party this time is a college pajama party rather than a high school house party.
House Party 2 was released in the United States on October 23, 1991, and grossed $19 million on a budget of $5 million. A further sequel, House Party 3, was released in 1994.
Plot
[edit]After high school graduation and his father's death, Kid, with scholarship money provided by the congregation of his church, goes off to college with his girlfriend, Sidney. Play, now driving a 'ForPlay' Ford Mustang instead of his beat up old wagon, meets Sheila Landreaux and her associate Rick. Really a con artist, Sheila convinces Play she is a record executive who would like to sign him and Kid, he just has to put some money down first for a studio session.
Lured by dreams of stardom, Play signs over Kid's college scholarship check. Unaware of this, Kid starts school and meets his roommate Jamal Johnson, a white kid obsessed with all things Black. Kid eventually finds out what Play did and fights him. Unable to pay his tuition and enrollment fees, Kid tries to reason with the dean but is only given a week to gather the money he needs. The dean's assistant, Miles, helps Kid with an extension and a job in the dining hall, working for Mr. Lee, a man who runs the hall like a military officer.
Kid struggles having to work to pay for school as well as writing a paper for the demanding Professor Sinclair. To top it off, Kid is hunted by his high school bullies, Stab, Zilla, and Pee Wee, who take jobs as campus security. Finding his groove on campus, Kid's perseverance pays off, and he gains the trust of his boss & professor. Meanwhile, Play is unable to get the money back from the con artists in time to pay for Kid's tuition. Plus, Sidney breaks up with Kid and starts dating Miles, who only helped Kid in order to take his money and get close to Sidney.
In order to raise the money he needs and win back Sidney, Kid, Play, Bilal and Jamal secretly hold a pajama themed party for the students in the faculty dining hall. For this, Kid steals the hall's key. Admission is $10 for men and free for women who wear nightwear. Stab, Zilla & Pee Wee try to get information on the party by pretending to be students, but their antics are unsuccessful. The party is a success as hundreds of students turn up wearing elaborate costumes and dance the night away amidst popular acts, including to a performance by Kid and Play.
Eventually, Play sees the con artists trying to coerce Zora, Sidney’s socially conscious cousin/roommate. Meanwhile, Kid sees Miles with Sidney trying to drug her. Kid, Play and campus security run upstairs to stop the con artists and Miles. Kid fights Miles on the roof. The dean and the police come in to stop the party. Play tells the dean that Sheila and Rick stole Kid’s check. They, along with Miles, are arrested.
The dean tells Kid, Play, Bilal, and Jamal to clean up the hall, or Kid will face expulsion. Confronted by Mr. Lee for unauthorized use of the hall, Kid confesses his financial troubles and gives him the money for the damages. With all of his options exhausted, Kid still has to drop out of school and visits his father's grave to try to sort things out. Play shows up trying to talk to Kid who is still disappointed with his best friend for causing him to drop out of college.
Meanwhile, Kid heads back to his dorm room to move his things out. Sidney & Jamal help to console him. Kid visits Mr. Lee on good terms and then Sinclair, who encourages him to return one day for his education. Later, Play arrives in his beat up old wagon, and gives Kid money, feeling guilty about using his check. Revealing he sold 'ForPlay' for Kid, Play apologizes for everything. Kid wants to go out and celebrate with him and Bilal, but Play tells him to hit the books, saying he is gonna visit the university periodically, seeing as Kid is his "investment" now. Jamal helps Kid move back in as Play drives off into the sunset.
Cast
[edit]- Christopher Reid as Christopher "Kid" Robinson, Jr.
- Christopher Martin as Peter "Play" Martin
- Paul Anthony George as Stab
- Lucien "Bowlegged Lou" George, Jr. as Pee-Wee
- Brian "B-Fine" George as Zilla
- Tisha Campbell as Sidney
- Iman as Sheila Landreaux
- Queen Latifah as Zora Henderson
- Georg Stanford Brown as Prof. Sinclair
- Helen Martin as Mrs. Deevers
- William Schallert as Dean Kramer
- Kamron as Jamal Johnson
- Tony! Toni! Toné! as themselves
- Ralph Tresvant as himself
- Martin Lawrence as Bilal
- Tony Burton as Mr. Lee
- Louie Louie as Rick
- Christopher Judge as Miles (credited as D. Christopher Judge)
- Whoopi Goldberg as the Professor
Music
[edit]Soundtrack
[edit]A soundtrack containing hip hop and R&B music was released on October 15, 1991 by MCA Records. It peaked at 55 on the Billboard 200 and 23 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, becoming the most successful of the House Party soundtracks.
Reception
[edit]Box office
[edit]The movie debuted at No.1 at the box office.[2]
Critical response
[edit]Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 27% based on reviews from 15 critics.[3]
Sequel
[edit]A sequel to the film, titled House Party 3, was released on January 12, 1994.
References
[edit]- ^ "House Party 2". Box Office Mojo. IMDB.
- ^ Fox, David J. (October 29, 1991). "Weekend Box Office 'House Party 2' Takes Top Spot". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
- ^ "House Party 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
External links
[edit]House Party 2
View on GrokipediaProduction
Development
Following the success of the 1990 film House Party, which grossed over $26 million domestically, New Line Cinema announced the development of a direct sequel on 20 April 1990 to continue the story of protagonists Kid and Play, shifting focus to their transition into college life amid financial challenges.[5] The sequel built upon original characters created by Reginald Hudlin, expanding their adventures to explore themes of higher education and economic hurdles faced by young Black individuals.[6] The screenplay was written by Daryl G. Nickens and Rusty Cundieff, centering the narrative on a party organized as a fundraiser to resolve monetary setbacks.[2] George Jackson and Doug McHenry were brought on as directors, initially joined by Paris Barclay before the latter stepped back during production; the duo sought to maintain the franchise's comedic hip-hop aesthetic while incorporating social commentary on barriers to college access for Black youth, aligning with promotional partnerships like those with the United Negro College Fund.[5][6] New Line Cinema financed the project with a budget of approximately $5 million, positioning it as a low-cost follow-up to capitalize on the original's cultural impact.[3] Development progressed rapidly, with scripting completed by early 1991, leading into principal photography from April to May of that year.[5] Warrington and Reginald Hudlin served as executive producers, though without direct creative involvement in the sequel.[5]Filming
Principal photography for House Party 2 commenced in 1991 and was primarily conducted in Los Angeles, California, where urban locations such as MacArthur Park's Levitt Pavilion were used to depict the film's college and party scenes.[7] The film's cinematography was handled by Francis Kenny, capturing the energetic and vibrant atmosphere central to the hip-hop comedy's tone.[4] Editing duties fell to Joel Goodman, who managed the rapid pacing required for the comedic sequences and choreography.[4] Key production personnel included producers George Jackson and Doug McHenry, who oversaw the shoot alongside associate producers Pat Golden and Suzanne Broderick.[4] Art direction was led by Karen Steward under production designer Michelle Minch, ensuring sets reflected authentic '90s urban youth environments.[4]Film
Plot
Kid arrives at college with a scholarship funded by his church congregation following his father's death, eager to pursue his education alongside his girlfriend Sidney. However, he soon discovers that the scholarship check has been embezzled by Sheila Landreaux, a corrupt record promoter who convinced Kid's best friend Play to sign it over for a fraudulent music deal. Unaware of the scam, Play has spent the money on personal luxuries, including a new Ford Mustang, leaving Kid facing expulsion unless he can replace the funds within a week.[8][9] Desperate, Kid takes a job in the school dining hall under the strict Mr. Lee while reconciling with Play after a heated confrontation. With help from friends Bilal and Jamal, the duo decides to host a massive pajama-themed party in the faculty dining hall, charging $10 admission for men to raise the needed tuition money. They navigate numerous obstacles, including sabotage by the sleazy dean's assistant Miles, who attempts to drug Sidney to pursue her romantically, strict dorm regulations enforced by the no-nonsense housemother, and comedic mishaps caused by Bilal, now working as a janitor, whose overzealous antics nearly derail the preparations. Meanwhile, Kid works to win back Sidney's trust amid the escalating chaos of party planning and campus life.[8][2] The pajama party becomes a resounding success, drawing hundreds of students and generating enough revenue to cover Kid's tuition despite interference from Sheila and her accomplice Rick, who are ultimately exposed and arrested. In the aftermath, Kid repays the damages to Mr. Lee, but with his options exhausted, plans to leave college; however, Play sells his car to repay the tuition, and with encouragement from Professor Sinclair and the dean's commendation for exposing the swindlers, Kid remains enrolled. The ordeal strengthens the bond between Kid and Play, reaffirming Kid's commitment to his education and his relationship with Sidney. Returning characters from the original film, including Kid and Play, continue their journeys into adulthood. The 94-minute film builds tension through the escalating preparations leading to the climactic party sequence.[8][10]Cast
The principal cast of House Party 2 is led by the hip-hop duo Kid 'n Play, who reprise their titular roles from the original film, central to the franchise's dynamic of friendship, music, and youthful ambition. Supporting performances add layers of comedy, romance, and mentorship, with several actors making notable early appearances in feature films.[11] Christopher Reid portrays Kid, an ambitious recent high school graduate entering college while grappling with sudden financial challenges that test his determination.[2] His engaging, understated performance anchors the film's blend of humor and coming-of-age themes.[2] Christopher Martin plays Play, Kid's laid-back best friend and aspiring barber, whose spontaneous ideas propel much of the story's energy and conflicts.[12] The duo's chemistry, rooted in their real-life partnership, drives the narrative's focus on loyalty and creativity.[11] Tisha Campbell returns as Sidney, Kid's encouraging girlfriend and fellow college student, who provides emotional support and romantic depth to the proceedings.[12] Martin Lawrence delivers comic relief as Bilal, Kid's overzealous and scheming roommate, whose exaggerated antics highlight the film's humorous side; this role marked one of Lawrence's prominent early film appearances following his stand-up success.[2] Key supporting roles include Georg Stanford Brown as Professor Sinclair, a stern academic figure offering guidance amid campus challenges,[11] William Schallert as Dean Kramer, the college administrator enforcing rules,[13] Tony Burton as Mr. Lee, the strict dining hall supervisor,[4] and Queen Latifah in a brief but memorable cameo as Zora, contributing to the ensemble's vibrant energy.[11] Other notable contributors are members of Full Force—Bowlegged Lou as Pee-Wee, Paul Anthony as Stab, and B-Fine as Zilla—portraying Kid and Play's lively crew of friends involved in musical pursuits.[13] Iman appears as Sheila Landreaux, adding sophistication to the romantic subplots,[11] while Helen Martin plays Mrs. Deevers, a no-nonsense elder providing grounding wisdom,[13] and Whoopi Goldberg in an uncredited cameo as the Professor.[4]| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Reid | Kid | Ambitious college freshman facing financial hurdles; leads with relatable drive.[2] |
| Christopher Martin | Play | Carefree best friend and barber; injects impulsiveness and humor.[12] |
| Tisha Campbell | Sidney | Supportive girlfriend and peer; brings motivational and romantic warmth.[12] |
| Martin Lawrence | Bilal | Hyperactive roommate; delivers over-the-top comic relief.[2] |
| Georg Stanford Brown | Professor Sinclair | Authoritative professor; offers academic insight.[11] |
| William Schallert | Dean Kramer | Strict dean; represents institutional authority.[13] |
| Queen Latifah | Zora | Brief appearance as a bold personality; enhances group dynamics.[11] |
| Bowlegged Lou | Pee-Wee | Energetic friend in the crew; supports musical elements.[13] |
| Paul Anthony | Stab | Loyal crew member; contributes to camaraderie.[13] |
| B-Fine | Zilla | Playful ally; adds to the fun-loving ensemble.[13] |
| Iman | Sheila Landreaux | Elegant romantic interest; introduces aspirational flair.[11] |
| Helen Martin | Mrs. Deevers | Wise matriarch; provides practical advice.[13] |
| Tony Burton | Mr. Lee | Strict dining hall supervisor; enforces discipline.[4] |
| Whoopi Goldberg | Professor | Uncredited cameo; adds surreal humor.[4] |

