Boobirt
Stylish but barely mediocre overall
StunnaKrypto
Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
Ensofter
Overrated and overhyped
Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
aldebaran68
Romancing the Stone was great, funny, original etc. etc. Yes. It was made in S. America. Picturesque, oddball, eccentric... Unfortunately Jewel of the Nile does not follow this. Not entirely its fault. For Americans esp. South America is a kind of picturesque Spanish Latino backwater for the US. A few drug barons, corrupt governments but otherwise exotic and enjoyable. The Middle East is another kettle of fish altogether. Ebert the critic wrote something about the charm of 'Romancing' missing from 'Jewel'. He's probably right. It does feel a bit as if the actors are struggling to recreate the chemistry and humour/quirkiness of 'Romancing', and not quite managing. Chemistry either is present or it isn't. Also it's the ME, the Arabs. US relations with and attitudes to the ME are entirely different from those with LA. So there is a kind of 'tenseness' about this film. It can't reproduce the enjoyable quirkiness of 'Romancing'. It's just too 'serious' being in the ME. Bad choice of culture for 'fun and quirky'. Anywhere else would have been better. This film was made in '85, with all the conflicts out there (Iran 79/80, Lebanon 82-2000, Iran/Iraq 80-90). Not an area for 'fun film making'. So they try to make fun of the Arabs and Islam. Doesn't really work. Americans tend to see the ME as a threat (Islam, Israel), or as a necessity, (Gulf oil, Iran oil, Iraq oil). Again not much fun... So bad choice of culture area for 'fun' 'quirky' etc. Now even less than then... Acting 'by numbers' for the cast who didn't really seem to be enjoying themselves as much as they were in 'Romancing'. While it can be said that the 2nd half is 'lighter and more amusing' than the 1st half, the fact that the viewer has to get through 40 mins of 'acting by numbers' to get to anything even vaguely amusing or entertaining says much about the sorry way the film was put together. I give it a 3 'for effort' but really a 2 for'enjoyability and chemistry'. Regretfully. There are unfortunately too few films then or now that have produced the 'innocent quirky fun' of Romancing. Maybe the Raiders trilogy came closest. Why do film makers and TV producer always start 'bright and breezy' then go down into 'dark'? (MD + KT + DdV in 'Wars of the Roses'...?). Great shame really...
namashi_1
A sequel to the much loved 'Romancing the Stone', 'The Jewel of the Nile' is, at best, a passable sequel, that appeals in parts. One Expected More!'The Jewel of the Nile' Synopsis: Joan Wilder & Jack Colton are off to a new adventure in a African desert, in an effort to find the precious "Jewel of the Nile.'The Jewel of the Nile' begins tepidly & remains dull for its first 45-minutes, but gathers momentum rapidly in the final hour. This time the adventure isn't very adventurous, though. Reason? A half-baked Screenplay Written by Mark Rosenthal & Lawrence Konner. There some moments that inspire, but they aren't enough. Lewis Teague's Direction is a plus-point. Cinematography is excellent. Editing is well-done.Performance-Wise: Michael Douglas & Kathleen Turner reprise their roles & they deliver superbly, yet again. Even their on-screen chemistry, is exciting. Danny DeVito is okay.On the whole, 'The Jewel of the Nile' is a so-so fare.
TheLittleSongbird
I loved Romancing the Stone, yes it was old-fashioned but it was a lot of fun too. The Jewel of the Nile isn't as good, there are pacing problems, the story isn't as well held together this time around and the chemistry between Douglas and Turner doesn't quite sparkle as much. However, the locations, scenery and cinematography are superb, as is the score, while the action and one-liners effortlessly come by thick and fast. The direction is also pretty good, while Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito and especially Kathaleen Turner clearly have a lot of fun as they search for the Jewel of the Nile. All in all, not quite as good but it is a sequel worth watching. It isn't as well thought out, but there is plenty to enjoy and the film doesn't fall into the trap of being a sequel that is its predecessor all over again. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Maddyclassicfilms
The Jewel Of The Nile is an enjoyable action romance comedy and a good sequel to the successful Romancing The Stone. Now a couple adventurer Jack Colton(Michale Douglas)and Joan Wilder(Kathleen Turner)are sailing around the world on Jacks yacht.Although still very close their relationship has hit a bit of rocky patch and Joan accepts an invitation to write the biography of a ruthless wealthy man who lives like a prince.Well before long she witnesses his brutality and Jack has to come and rescue her.Although not as good as the first one this is still a great deal of fun and is well made.Danny Devito returns as well as the con man intent on getting revenge on Jack after the exploits in Romancing The Stone. A good one to watch on a rainy day or if you need cheering up.
