Wayne’s World 2 (released in theaters on December 10, 1993), directed by Stephen Surjik, is the surprisingly successful and wonderfully self-aware sequel to the massive hit based on the Saturday Night Live sketch. The film wisely doubles down on the meta-humor and pop culture parody of the original, serving up an incredibly dense mix of sight gags, movie references, and musical moments while retaining the beloved, goofy chemistry of its stars, Mike Myers and Dana Carvey.
The film rejoins Aurora, Illinois, slackers Wayne Campbell (Myers) and Garth Algar (Carvey), who are still hosting their cable access show, Wayne’s World, from Wayne’s basement. Life is comfortable, but uneventful.
However, Wayne is plagued by a recurring dream of a Native American who tells him, “You will stage a rock concert. And they will come.”
Inspired by the dream, Wayne and Garth decide to organize a massive outdoor music festival called “Waynestock,” and they lease a huge tract of land and begin the complicated, hilarious process of raising money and securing bands.
This endeavor requires them to confront the challenges of adulthood and commerce, areas in which they are woefully ill-equipped.
Complicating Wayne’s life is the sudden, unexpected attention of the beautiful and talented Cassandra Wong (Tia Carrere).
Cassandra has been swept up by the sophisticated, wealthy, and manipulative music producer Bobby Cahn (Christopher Walken).
Bobby not only steals Cassandra away to Los Angeles, promising her a massive record deal, but also attempts to steal her by proposing marriage.
Meanwhile, Garth finds his own peculiar love interest in the form of Honey Hornee (Kim Basinger), a mysterious and femme fatale-esque woman who is far more dangerous than she appears.
Wayne and Garth must overcome numerous obstacles, including raising the necessary funds with the help of manager Del Preston (Ralph Brown), navigating Cassandra’s impending marriage, and avoiding the aggressive collection tactics of a disgruntled businessman.
The final act culminates in a madcap dash to stop Cassandra’s wedding, followed by the highly anticipated—and spectacularly disorganized—Waynestock festival.
Chris Farley, Ed O’Neill, Drew Barrymore, Olivia d’Abo, Jay Leno, Heather Locklear, Ted McGinley, Tim Meadows, Harry Shearer, Rip Taylor and Charlton Heston round out the supporting cast.
Dana Carvey and Kim Basinger in Wayne’s World 2 (Photo/Paramount Pictures)
Reception for Wayne’s World 2
Wayne’s World 2 grossed $13.5 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office.
The film would gross $72 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave Wayne’s World 2 three out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Wayne’s World 2 is often lauded as one of the rare comedy sequels that manages to not only retain the spirit of the original but arguably improve upon its self-referential humor.
Its legacy is tied to its sophisticated meta-commentary, breaking the fourth wall incessantly and even offering multiple mock endings to lampshade the difficulty of scripting a sequel.
The film provided memorable supporting turns, particularly from Walken as the suave villain and the completely unexpected comic appearance of Basinger.
It firmly established Wayne and Garth as enduring cultural figures whose influence on pop culture, especially their catchphrases and reverence for rock music, is still felt today.
