Okay, rewind that tape. Remember the sheer unexpected joy of the original Teen Wolf (1985)? Michael J. Fox, awkward teen turned basketball-dunking werewolf, winning the girl and the game? It was pure, unadulterated 80s comfort food. So, naturally, Hollywood did what Hollywood does: it tried to catch lightning in a bottle again. Pulling Teen Wolf Too (1987) off the rental shelf felt… inevitable, maybe even a little suspicious. Could they really do it twice? With Michael J. Fox busy being, well, Michael J. Fox, the furry mantle passed to his cousin, Todd Howard, played by a young Jason Bateman. The result? A film that embodies the glorious, sometimes baffling, often charmingly flawed nature of the 80s sequel machine.
### Cousin Wolf Goes to College
Instead of basketball, we get boxing. Instead of high school angst, we get… college angst? Todd Howard arrives at Hamilton University on a science scholarship, hoping for a normal life away from the family lycanthropy. He’s the clean-cut, studious cousin, the polar opposite of Scott's effortless cool. But wouldn’t you know it, the stress of academia (and maybe a looming boxing match needed to save the faculty from budget cuts – don’t ask) triggers the hairy transformation. Suddenly, Todd isn't just hitting the books; he's hitting the heavy bag with superhuman strength.
The premise itself feels like a studio exec threw darts at a board labelled "College Tropes" and "Teen Wolf Elements." It's familiar yet strangely different, like seeing your favourite band replaced by a tribute act wearing slightly less convincing costumes. Jason Bateman, already showing glimmers of the dry wit that would later define his career in shows like Arrested Development, does his best. You can almost feel him trying to navigate the absurdity. Funnily enough, Bateman himself has been pretty candid over the years about his lack of enthusiasm for the project, reportedly doing it primarily because the offer was there after his run on Valerie (later The Hogan Family). It’s a classic case of a young actor taking the gig, and you have to respect the hustle, even if the material feels thinner than werewolf fur in summer.
### The Supporting Pack and That 80s Sheen
While Bateman carries the load, the supporting cast adds some flavour. The legendary John Astin (Gomez Addams himself!) returns as Dean Dunn, lending a touch of manic energy and a welcome link to the original's quirky spirit. Kim Darby (known for True Grit (1969)) plays the concerned professor/potential love interest, bringing a sincerity that almost makes the "wolf falls for teacher" subplot feel less… weird. The rest of the cast fills out the expected college archetypes – the jock rival, the supportive friends, the exasperated coach.
The direction by Christopher Leitch (who mostly worked in television) keeps things moving at a decent clip, hitting the expected beats of training montages, party scenes, and, of course, the inevitable Big Boxing Match. It lacks the specific charm Rod Daniel brought to the first film, feeling a bit more like a generic college comedy that just happens to feature a werewolf. It was written by R. Timothy Kring, who would later find massive success creating the TV series Heroes – an interesting footnote considering both involve ordinary people with extraordinary abilities.
Let's talk about the wolf effects. While the original had its own charming B-movie quality, the transformation and makeup here feel perhaps a step down. Maybe it was the lower budget (a reported $3 million, significantly less than the original's adjusted gross would suggest it deserved), or perhaps the novelty had simply worn off. Still, there's a certain tactile reality to 80s creature makeup – you know it's latex and glued-on hair, not pixels – that has its own nostalgic appeal. Remember arguing with friends about whether it looked cool or just plain silly?
### Why Did We Watch This Stuff?
So, why does Teen Wolf Too hold any space in our collective VHS memories? It wasn't exactly a critical darling or a box office smash, earning back its budget but fading quickly compared to the original's surprising success. I think part of it is simple availability. In the video store era, sequels were gold. You liked the first one? Here's more! Even if it wasn't quite the same, it scratched an itch. It was familiar branding, a promise of goofy fun, perfect for a Friday night rental with some pizza.
Watching it now, the film is undeniably dated – the fashion, the music, the earnest belief that college boxing could be this dramatic. The plot mechanics creak, and the attempt to replicate the original's formula feels transparent. Yet… there’s an innocence to it. It’s not cynical. It’s trying, bless its furry heart, to entertain using the established template. Those practical boxing stunts, while not exactly Raging Bull (1980), have that slightly clumsy, real-feeling quality that CGI often smooths away entirely today. You see guys actually taking (staged) punches.
I remember renting this tape, probably from a slightly sticky shelf at a local video store, hoping for that same magic. Did it deliver? Not quite. But was it a bad time? Honestly, no. It was comfort viewing, 80s style. Pure, unadulterated cheese, served with a side of teenage werewolf angst and questionable sports metaphors.
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VHS Heaven Rating: 4/10
Justification: While Jason Bateman gives it his all and John Astin provides a welcome spark, Teen Wolf Too suffers from classic "sequelitis." It replaces the original's charm with a less engaging plot (boxing over basketball?), weaker effects, and a feeling of just going through the motions. It lacks the heart and surprise that made the first film a hit. However, for sheer 80s sequel audacity and a nostalgic chuckle at its earnest goofiness, it earns a few points. It's watchable, but mostly as a curiosity or a background film during a retro movie night.
Final Thought: Sometimes "Too" just means "Not Quite Enough," but hey, at least they tried to keep the werewolf dream alive, one awkward boxing match at a time. Pass the popcorn, and maybe fast-forward to the training montage.