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Not Quite Human 2
Not Quite Human 2
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Not Quite Human 2
Official release poster
Based onNot Quite Human
by Seth McEvoy
Written byEric Luke
Directed byEric Luke
StarringAlan Thicke
Robyn Lively
Greg Mullavy
Kate Barberi
Dey Young
Scott Nell
Jay Underwood
Music byMichel Rubini
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerJames Margellos
CinematographyJules Brenner
Running time91 minutes
Original release
ReleaseSeptember 23, 1989 (1989-09-23)

Not Quite Human 2 is a 1989 American science fiction comedy television film written and directed by Eric Luke and starring Jay Underwood, Alan Thicke, and Robyn Lively. As the second of three films in a series based on the Not Quite Human novels by Seth McEvoy, it follows the social development of an android[1] that is designed to appear human, this time as he enrolls in college and is on his own for the first time. The filming locations were Arizona State University, Tempe High School, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Phoenix.[2]

Plot

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The film begins with Chip (Jay Underwood), the android, installing specially-ordered software designed to enhance his facial expressions; it is later discovered that he also inadvertently intakes a computer virus that causes him to malfunction very gradually, diminishing control over his own system's functions. Initially, the virus simply causes Chip to have momentary memory lapses resulting in poor judgment, but within five days it will completely destroy his internal systems, and destroy him. That same day, Dr. Jonas Carson (Alan Thicke) and his daughter, Becky (Robyn Lively), attend Chip's high school graduation. Chip mentions that he wants to attend college and has already signed up for the summer session; however, his father does not feel Chip is ready to be on his own. Becky later manages to persuade her dad to grant Chip's request, pointing out that college is the natural next step in Chip's development.

Since Dr. Carson only reluctantly agreed to allow Chip to attend college, he and Becky secretly follow him to the school in a vehicle that is set up as a monitoring station in order to watch from a distance. At school, Chip sees a girl in a lab coat passing through the hall of the science building and becomes infatuated with her. Chip gets help from his roommate to try to fit in better socially at school, but Chip manages to alienate himself from a popular girl and from his roommate because of his awkwardness. Symptoms from the virus also hinder his progress.

When Chip feels homesick and calls his dad, his dad advises that he go after something that really interests him. The next day, Chip follows the girl in the lab coat, Roberta (Katie Barberi), into the robotics lab and asks her out on a date, where she informs Chip that she is an android.[3] Excited by this revelation, Chip tells her that he is also an android. Chip soon learns that Roberta is not able to decide anything for herself, so he introduces her to the concept of free will by reprogramming her. When Roberta chooses to go with Chip instead of returning to Dr. Phil Masters (Greg Mullavy) and the other scientists who developed her, the two of them are forced to flee. Prof. Victoria Gray (Dey Young) discovers that her fellow scientists are responsible for distributing a virus designed to disable competitors' androids, so she joins Dr. Carson in trying to catch up with Chip to provide the counter agent.

After being relentlessly pursued a great distance, Chip and Roberta finally manage to escape the scientists, and they are surrounded by desert when Roberta explains that running has used up almost all of her power. With the virus's effects growing more pronounced, Chip is unable to control his body very effectively as he carries Roberta and desperately searches for a power outlet to recharge her. Not finding an adequate power source, Chip slumps to the ground as the virus overtakes him, saying haltingly to Roberta, "I... love... you". Dr. Carson and Becky arrive just a moment later with Prof. Gray, and they manage to successfully administer the antidote just before Chip's systems fail completely. Once he is fully revived, Chip reveals that he had utilized his magnetic finger to write all of Roberta's programming and memories to a diskette before she lost all power, preserving the character and personality of the girl that he had fought to protect. A photograph at the end shows the Carsons together with Roberta and Prof. Gray.

Character development

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In each of the three Not Quite Human films, Chip is at a distinct level of development in his social awareness. While Chip had difficulty carrying on a sensible conversation in the first film and didn't notice how people perceived him, in Not Quite Human II he communicates fairly well but just takes some statements too literally. For instance, when a pair of fellow college students invite Chip to "join" them for a game of cards, Chip responds, "Are you coming apart?" He also sometimes comes close to inadvertently revealing that he is an android, such as when he successfully chases his bus going at full speed down the road. It is this naivety and peculiarity that hinder Chip's efforts to form friendships. Chip's roommate, Brandon Wilson (Scott Nell), does his best to engage Chip in the social scene, but Chip still feels like an outsider. This is why Chip is so glad to encounter Roberta, another android who is also not very developed socially.

Cast

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Not Quite Human II is a 1989 American directed and written by Eric Luke, serving as the sequel to the 1987 Disney Channel Original Movie Not Quite Human. The story centers on Chip Carson, an advanced android teenager created by Dr. Jonas Carson, who enrolls in to further understand human emotions and experiences. There, Chip meets and develops feelings for , another android built by a rival , while the Carson family confronts threats involving a and a plot orchestrated by antagonists seeking to exploit android . The film premiered on the on September 23, 1989, with a runtime of 91 minutes, and was produced by Resnick/Margellos Productions in association with . The film stars reprising his role as the inquisitive and empathetic Chip Carson, alongside as the inventive and protective Dr. Jonas Carson, and as Chip's human sister Becky Carson. Supporting roles include as the female android Roberta, as Dr. Phil Masters, and as Prof. Victoria Gray, with the cast delivering performances that blend humor, heart, and light-hearted sci-fi elements. Adapted from the young adult book series by Seth McEvoy, the screenplay by Eric Luke expands on the themes of , family dynamics, and the blurred lines between human and machine, building on the original film's exploration of social integration for an android in human society. Produced as a made-for-TV movie for the , Not Quite Human II continues the franchise's focus on family-friendly adventure and comedy, though it received mixed reviews for its pacing and effects compared to contemporaries. It was followed by a third installment, , in 1992, cementing the series' place in Disney's early offerings.

Development and production

Development

Not Quite Human 2 serves as the second entry in a trilogy of American television films loosely adapted from Seth McEvoy's Not Quite Human young adult novel series, published by Archway Paperbacks starting with in 1985. The series centers on the android Chip Carson and his human family, drawing elements from the books' sci-fi adventures for the sequel's storyline involving technological mishaps and family dynamics. Following the positive reception of the 1987 original film, the project was developed as a sequel and produced as a Disney Channel Premiere Film, premiering on September 23, 1989. Eric Luke wrote and directed the film, expanding the android family premise from the first installment by advancing Chip to college life, where he navigates independence, a computer virus, and romantic interests with another android named Roberta. This progression allowed exploration of through sci-fi elements, such as Chip's attempts to blend into human social settings. Key creative decisions prioritized a sci-fi tone, blending humor with light educational themes on technology's role in human experiences and the awkwardness of growing up. The narrative maintains the series' focus on ethical questions about while keeping content suitable for young audiences. Returning cast members, such as as Chip Carson and as Dr. Jonas Carson, helped ensure continuity in the android family portrayal.

Casting

The production of Not Quite Human 2 emphasized franchise continuity by retaining key actors from the . reprised his lead role as the android Chip Carson, while returned as Dr. Jonas Carson, Chip's creator and guardian. also came back as Becky Carson, the human sister figure, maintaining the core family dynamic for the sequel's college-set storyline. For the new elements, was cast as , the female android introduced to develop the romantic subplot alongside Underwood's Chip. Supporting roles featured newcomers like as the antagonistic Dr. Phil Masters and as Victoria Gray. The selection process prioritized actors capable of delivering subtle android mannerisms through performance rather than extensive , aligning with the film's low-budget TV movie format.

Filming

Principal photography for Not Quite Human II took place in in 1989, utilizing real educational institutions and urban settings to capture the film's college-centric narrative. in Tempe served as the primary location for interior and exterior college scenes, providing an authentic campus atmosphere. Additional shooting occurred in the Tempe area and other parts of . The adhered to the constraints of a made-for-television movie budget, produced by Resnick/Margellos Productions in association with , emphasizing cost-effective practical effects for the android characters and sci-fi gadgets rather than emerging CGI technologies. Director Eric Luke, who also penned the , employed simple props and on-location setups to maintain a light-hearted, comedic tone suitable for audiences. No major production disruptions, such as issues, were reported, allowing for efficient filming that wrapped prior to the film's September 1989 premiere.

Plot and characters

Plot

Chip Carson, the android teenager created by Dr. Jonas Carson, enrolls in college to further develop his understanding of emotions and , while his creator and sister monitor his adjustment from home. Upon arrival, Chip installs new software to improve his facial expressions but unknowingly downloads a that begins causing memory lapses, poor judgment, and erratic behavior set to destroy his systems within days. As Chip navigates campus life, he becomes infatuated with fellow student , a poised young woman in a lab coat, and soon discovers she is also an android lacking , created by a team of rival . Chip reprograms to grant her , leading her to choose him over her creators, and the two begin a romance while fleeing pursuit. His roommate Brandon helps Chip adapt socially and notice the worsening symptoms. Chip's computer science professor, Victoria Gray, grows suspicious of his anomalies and collaborates with him and Brandon to investigate, uncovering that the stems from a plot by 's creators to eliminate advanced android competition. As the progresses, weakening Chip further, Dr. Carson and Becky rush to intervene with an derived from analyzing the . In the climax, Chip carries a power-failing across a to safety, confessing his love before collapsing from the . The arrives in time to administer the cure, saving Chip and preserving 's reprogrammed core on a diskette for future restoration. The group poses for a photo, integrating into their lives.

Characters

Chip serves as the android protagonist in Not Quite Human 2, transitioning from high school experiences in the previous installment to life, where he encounters a that threatens his functionality and develops romantic feelings for , another android. This evolution underscores his growth in comprehending human emotions and relationships, as he takes initiative to protect her from danger and navigate in a dorm setting. Dr. Jonas Carson functions as Chip's inventor and protective adoptive father, embodying the tension between human emotional investment and the rational logic inherent in his robotic creation. Throughout the story, he reluctantly permits Chip's independence at college but remains involved by monitoring events and providing assistance, highlighting his paternal role in fostering Chip's autonomy while safeguarding his "son" from external threats like the . Roberta, introduced as a new female android, mirrors Chip's initial innocence and lack of full social acclimation, having been created under less benevolent circumstances. As Chip's love interest, she actively contributes agency to their romance and the central conflict, forming a deepening bond with him amid pursuits by her creators and collaborating in efforts to resolve the virus crisis, thereby advancing themes of companionship and among artificial beings. Supporting characters enrich the narrative's exploration of through interpersonal dynamics. Chip's roommate, Brandon, offers via his bemused attempts to help Chip adapt to college social norms, illustrating the humor in human-android contrasts. The rival scientists, Drs. Phil Masters, Moore, and , serve as antagonists driven by jealousy toward Dr. Carson's advanced AI, orchestrating the sabotage and pursuit of to reclaim their creation. Meanwhile, Professor Victoria Gray, one of Roberta's creators, discovers the unethical plot and defects to aid Chip, Brandon, and the Carsons in curing the and ensuring the androids' escape, highlighting ethical dilemmas in technological competition.

Cast and crew

Cast

The cast of Not Quite Human II features reprising his role as the android Chip Carson, alongside returning family members and new college-based characters.
ActorRole
Chip Carson
Dr. Jonas Carson
Becky Carson
Dr. Phil Masters
Roberta
Prof. Victoria Gray
Scott NellBrandon Wilson (Chip's roommate)
Supporting performers include minor roles such as family associates and college students, contributing to the ensemble's depiction of academic and social dynamics.

Crew

Eric Luke directed Not Quite Human II and also wrote the , adapting it from Seth McEvoy's Not Quite Human while incorporating characters created by Kevin Osborn, which allowed him to maintain continuity in the sci-fi style from the original . The production was overseen by James Margellos as producer, in association with , and Noel Resnick served as through Resnick/Margellos Productions.
RoleName
Jules Brenner
EditorDavid Berlatsky
Composer
Jules Brenner handled the , bringing visual flair to the film's blend of high school antics and android adventures. David Berlatsky edited the film, ensuring a tight pace for its 91-minute runtime. composed the original score, which underscored the light-hearted sci-fi elements with thematic motifs for the android .

Release

Broadcast

Not Quite Human II premiered on September 23, 1989, as a Premiere Film. The made-for-television film aired on and was targeted at family audiences, with a runtime of 91 minutes. It received subsequent airings on the during the late 1980s and 1990s, as well as a broadcast on NBC's The Magical World of Disney on April 1, 1990. As the second installment in the Not Quite Human series, the premiere supported Disney's efforts to expand its lineup of original family-oriented programming through sequels.

Home media

Not Quite Human II was released on by on August 4, 1993, under catalog number 1875. The tape featured the film in standard play mode with a and was distributed in the United States. No official DVD or Blu-ray edition has been issued by Disney. As of 2025, the film is not available for streaming on or other major digital platforms. Unofficial or bootleg copies in digital formats circulate among collectors, but no remastered or restored versions have been produced for modern home viewing.

Reception

Critical response

Not Quite Human II garnered mixed reception upon its 1989 premiere, with audiences appreciating its lighthearted family-oriented humor while finding the and plot somewhat dated and formulaic. The film holds a 36% audience score on , based on more than 500 ratings (as of November 2025), reflecting divided opinions on its entertainment value. On , it maintains an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from 701 user votes (as of November 2025), with praise often directed at Alan Thicke's charismatic performance as the inventive scientist Dr. Jonas Carson and the charming, if predictable, android romance subplot involving Chip and Roberta. Audience feedback highlighted the film's appeal to younger viewers through its relatable teen-android dynamics and innocent comedic tone, positioning it as suitable family viewing despite critiques of its straightforward narrative. Retrospectively, the movie is regarded as a nostalgic example of late-1980s Disney Channel programming, evoking fond memories for its blend of sci-fi whimsy and wholesome themes in franchise discussions.

Legacy

Not Quite Human II served as the second entry in the Not Quite Human franchise, building on the 1987 original by advancing the android protagonist Chip's experiences from high school to college, which set the stage for the series' conclusion in the 1992 television film . This progression solidified the narrative arc of an artificial family integrating into human society, continuing the events from its predecessors. The film's release on on August 4, 1993, by Home Video extended its availability to a broader audience beyond its initial premiere. While the series, including Not Quite Human II, did not garner major awards or nominations, it remains part of Disney's lineup of family-oriented sci-fi comedies from the late 1980s and early 1990s that explored themes of and humanity in accessible formats for young viewers.
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