I Still Know What You Did Last Summer

One year after the original summer murders in her hometown, Julie (Hewitt) has yet to overcome her fears, but has managed to move onto College, a new love interest and a new spicy roommate. After winning a trip to the Bahamas, Julie and her newfound friends find themselves in a similar predicament as the psycho fisherman with hook as hand, slices and guts his way to their extinction. Screams and murders ensue.

The paper-thin plot, the cheap thrills, and all of the clinging wet shirts that you could shake a stick at, make this follow-up to the slick original, a standard 90’s horror fare without much to get excited about. Jennifer Love Hewitt returns as the girl who can never seem to button her blouse all the way to the top in this transparent sequel, which never seems to take off from its predecessor’s solid base. Many of the killings in this film are pretty obvious, while the plot seemed ridden with holes. For example, we are never told why the killer is killing everyone in his path in this one. Or for that matter, how everyone on the island suddenly disappears within a 24-hour period. Then again, horror films weren’t exactly known for their Oscar worthy scripts, but this one just doesn’t seem to bring anything original to the table. The dialogue was standard and dull, the acting was there but not fascinating, and the mystery of the killer wasn’t as cool as it could have been.

Having said that, I did enjoy some of the murders in this film, Jeffrey Combs’ standout performance as the pissed-off hotel owner, and the continued creepiness of the killer’s fisherman’s outfit. Also, Mekhi Phifer was funny as the horny guy who just can’t seem to get laid, and Freddie Prinze does a nice piece of work as well. Also, I will admit that I did not turn away at the umpteen shots of Jennifer Love Hewitt in her cut-off tight shirts and bikinis. This film also delivered the most rain in any film since the stunning SEVEN (10/10). All in all, it’s okay as a generic piece of 90’s horror game, with the cheap thrills and fun kills for showcase. On the other hand, it doesn’t really attain any of the mystery of the original, but then again, most sequels don’t. See it if you’re bored and want to turn your brain off for a while and charge up your woodie, otherwise skip this limp sequel and munch on some snacks with the original classics SCREAM (8/10) and I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (7/10).

(c) 2021 Berge Garabedian