Not a Jewel in my Eyes (The Jewel Of The Nile (DVD))

Member Name: sewbizzie

Product:	The Jewel Of The Nile (DVD)
Date:	26/10/09 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: some funny bits, Danny DeVito

Disadvantages: Weak story, some wooden acting, bad effects

The Jewel of the Nile is the follow on film from Romancing the Stone and it is set a few months after the first film. Jean Wilder is still a best selling novelist and is trying her hardest to finish her latest book but she is having trouble concentrating and she just wants to give up sailing with her lover Jack and move back to New York. Jack is just too happy sailing and living his dream to want to give it up.

An opportunity comes for Jean when Spiros Focas, a ruthless dictator invites Lean to go to Egypt to write a book about him Jean accepts this offer as she does not know what a ruthless man he is. Jack is sad to see Jean go but he knows she has to do this. As Jean sets off Jack is in for a shock when Ralph turns up demanding his share of the stone from the previous film, not only is it Ralph which is bad news for Jack but he also gets is boat blown up. Jack and Ralph soon learn from a guy called Tarak that Spiros is evil and his holding their Jewel of the Nile which he and his people want back. Tarak also tells Jack and Ralph of the danger Jean is in so they set of under the belief of going to rescue Jean but really they are going after the Jewel!

Just will Jack, Ralph and Tarak be able to rescue Jean and get the Jewel and will they quite believe what they are about to find?

For me this film was not a patch on the previous one. It did have the three main characters reunited again but for me the story was just lacking in the comedy factor and the greatness of the previous one. I think that the character of Jean was not quite so likable in this film as she seemed quite hard and strong which she was not in the first film and I don't think the chemistry was quite there between her and Michael Douglas who played the role of Jack.

The storyline was quite good but so much more could have been made with it. To me is seemed quite rushed and as if they were in a massive rush to finish the film so it could come out still with the success of the first film being around. I think that with a little more time and effort then this film could have been 100 times better.

The return of Danny DeVito for me was the best part of the film and he did bring his usual wit and humour to an otherwise dull film. I think he was the strongest and best character in the film and think a bit more of him should have been shown in the film. There were a few good supporting actors in the film, the main one being Omar Sharif who played the evil dictator and he was very good with his role but just a little wooden at times and there was nothing special about his character to make him stand out from the others.

The film was at times very poorly made and the effect did let it down. On the majority of the shots I could clearly see that the backdrop was added later and for me this did spoil the whole concept and idea. I think a little more time, effort and money would have helped improve these. There were a few special effects in the film but nothing spectacular or amazing.

The music throughout the film was very average and not at all memorable. The only song which I can remember is the end one which was 'When the Going Gets Tough' and this was only because I have see the music video to the song which features the characters from this film. Otherwise the music score was very dull and boring. This film was made in 1985 and this is quite apparent with the costumes and sets which were used. Despite being made so long ago now I think that there were much better film around at the same time which really do show this one to be cheap and a rushed job.

The running time of this film is 101 minutes and there are no special or bonus features on the DVD. The DVD s available to buy on EBay and Amazon for just a few pounds or you can now get a double disk set with Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile for £5 in Tesco.

Overall I am not going to recommend this film as it is such a let down from the previous one and the only good thing is the humour which DeVito brings.

Summary: a very poor sequel to a good first film