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Not Quite Human 2
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| Not Quite Human 2 | |
|---|---|
![]() Official release poster | |
| Based on | Not Quite Human by Seth McEvoy |
| Written by | Eric Luke |
| Directed by | Eric Luke |
| Starring | Alan Thicke Robyn Lively Greg Mullavy Kate Barberi Dey Young Scott Nell Jay Underwood |
| Music by | Michel Rubini |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | James Margellos |
| Cinematography | Jules Brenner |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Release | September 23, 1989 |
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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- Jay Underwood as Chip Carson
- Alan Thicke as Dr. Jonas Carson, Chip's adoptive father
- Robyn Lively as Becky Carson, Chip's adoptive younger sister
- Greg Mullavy as Dr. Phil Masters
- Katie Barberi as Roberta
- Dey Young as Prof. Victoria Gray
- Scott Nell as Brandon Wilson, Chip's Room-Mate
- Mark Arnott as Moore, Dr. Masters' Assistant
- Mike Russell as Miller, Dr. Masters' Assistant
- Ty Miller as Austin, Bus Punk
- Eric Bruskotter as Rick, Bus Punk
References
[edit]- ^ Sherman, Fraser A. (September 3, 2015). Cyborgs, Santa Claus and Satan: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films ... McFarland. p. 138. ISBN 9781476611013.
- ^ "Not Quite Human II (TV Movie 1989)", IMDb
- ^ "Gallery/Not Quite Human 2". FembotWiki. April 15, 2010.
External links
[edit]Not Quite Human 2
View on GrokipediaDevelopment 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 Batteries Not Included in 1985.[8] 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.[9] 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.[9] This progression allowed exploration of adolescence through sci-fi elements, such as Chip's attempts to blend into human social settings.[10] Key creative decisions prioritized a family-friendly sci-fi comedy tone, blending humor with light educational themes on technology's role in human experiences and the awkwardness of growing up.[11] The narrative maintains the series' focus on ethical questions about artificial intelligence while keeping content suitable for young audiences.[9] Returning cast members, such as Jay Underwood as Chip Carson and Alan Thicke 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 1987 original film. Jay Underwood reprised his lead role as the android Chip Carson, while Alan Thicke returned as Dr. Jonas Carson, Chip's creator and guardian.[12][4] Robyn Lively also came back as Becky Carson, the human sister figure, maintaining the core family dynamic for the sequel's college-set storyline.[12][4] For the new elements, Katie Barberi was cast as Roberta, the female android introduced to develop the romantic subplot alongside Underwood's Chip.[4] Supporting roles featured newcomers like Greg Mullavey as the antagonistic Dr. Phil Masters and Dey Young as Victoria Gray.[4][13] The selection process prioritized actors capable of delivering subtle android mannerisms through performance rather than extensive special effects, aligning with the film's low-budget TV movie format.[7]Filming
Principal photography for Not Quite Human II took place in Arizona in 1989, utilizing real educational institutions and urban settings to capture the film's college-centric narrative. Arizona State University 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 Arizona.[14][15] The production adhered to the constraints of a made-for-television movie budget, produced by Resnick/Margellos Productions in association with Walt Disney Television, 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 screenplay, employed simple props and on-location setups to maintain a light-hearted, comedic tone suitable for Disney Channel audiences. No major production disruptions, such as weather issues, were reported, allowing for efficient filming that wrapped prior to the film's September 1989 premiere.[1]Plot and characters
Plot
Chip Carson, the android teenager created by Dr. Jonas Carson, enrolls in college to further develop his understanding of human emotions and independence, while his creator and sister Becky monitor his adjustment from home. Upon arrival, Chip installs new software to improve his facial expressions but unknowingly downloads a computer virus that begins causing memory lapses, poor judgment, and erratic behavior set to destroy his systems within days.[1] As Chip navigates campus life, he becomes infatuated with fellow student Roberta, a poised young woman in a lab coat, and soon discovers she is also an android lacking free will, created by a team of rival scientists. Chip reprograms Roberta to grant her autonomy, 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 virus symptoms.[7] Chip's computer science professor, Victoria Gray, grows suspicious of his anomalies and collaborates with him and Brandon to investigate, uncovering that the virus stems from a sabotage plot by Roberta's creators to eliminate advanced android competition. As the virus progresses, weakening Chip further, Dr. Carson and Becky rush to intervene with an antidote derived from analyzing the malware.[2] In the climax, Chip carries a power-failing Roberta across a desert to safety, confessing his love before collapsing from the virus. The family arrives in time to administer the cure, saving Chip and preserving Roberta's reprogrammed core on a diskette for future restoration. The group poses for a family photo, integrating Roberta into their lives.[1]Characters
Chip serves as the android protagonist in Not Quite Human 2, transitioning from high school experiences in the previous installment to college life, where he encounters a computer virus that threatens his functionality and develops romantic feelings for Roberta, another android. This evolution underscores his growth in comprehending human emotions and relationships, as he takes initiative to protect her from danger and navigate social dynamics in a dorm setting.[1] 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 virus.[1][7] 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 self-determination among artificial beings.[1] Supporting characters enrich the narrative's exploration of artificial intelligence through interpersonal dynamics. Chip's roommate, Brandon, offers comic relief 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 Miller, serve as antagonists driven by jealousy toward Dr. Carson's advanced AI, orchestrating the virus sabotage and pursuit of Roberta 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 virus and ensuring the androids' escape, highlighting ethical dilemmas in technological competition.[1][16]Cast and crew
Cast
The cast of Not Quite Human II features Jay Underwood reprising his role as the android protagonist Chip Carson, alongside returning family members and new college-based characters.[4]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Jay Underwood | Chip Carson |
| Alan Thicke | Dr. Jonas Carson |
| Robyn Lively | Becky Carson |
| Greg Mullavey | Dr. Phil Masters |
| Katie Barberi | Roberta |
| Dey Young | Prof. Victoria Gray |
| Scott Nell | Brandon Wilson (Chip's roommate) |
Crew
Eric Luke directed Not Quite Human II and also wrote the screenplay, adapting it from Seth McEvoy's Not Quite Human book series while incorporating characters created by Kevin Osborn, which allowed him to maintain continuity in the sci-fi comedy style from the original film.[4] The production was overseen by James Margellos as producer, in association with Walt Disney Television, and Noel Resnick served as executive producer through Resnick/Margellos Productions.[4]| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Cinematographer | Jules Brenner |
| Editor | David Berlatsky |
| Composer | Michel Rubini |

