Bonanza: The Next Generation (1988)
This is the continuing saga of the Cartwrights, only none of the original Cartwrights are here anymore but their sons. Ben and Hoss have passed on, and Little Joe is MIA; he went with Teddy Roosevelt and is currently missing. Ben's brother, Aaron is now in charge of the Ponderosa, and Little Joe's wife Annie also lives there. His son, Benjamin has come back fom the East. Charlie Poke is a man who owes his life to Ben Cartwright and is now the ranch foreman, and is not exactly on good terms with Aaron. Aaron has allowed a mining company access to mine on the Ponderosa, but the man in charge has other ideas. And Hoss' son Josh whom no one has seen before, has come to the Ponderosa to kill Hoss cause he thinks Hoss deserted him and his mother not knowing that Hoss died before he could go back to bring his mother back to the Ponderosa.
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How sad is this?
Excellent adaptation.
There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.
It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny
I was looking for the character who played Charlie in this movie - his credits named him as "Robert Fuller", but there is no listing of such a character on your sight. I wonder why? Plus...he was one of the main characters! I was searching for other things this "Robert Fuller" has been in on television (or in movies) and thus...could not find him. Has he another name? This 'remake' of the Bonanza television series is probably just as hokey, but if you liked the series, this was a fun and predictable sequel. Though Michael Landon Junior will never be his father (as far as acting goes), it was nice to see a 'tradition' reinvented for at least one attempt.
We purchased this movie to familiarize ourselves with the appearance and mannerisms of Michael Landon Jr. He was only 24 at the time and inexperienced. This in mind, he did quite a good job. There were three examples of just plain bad acting: First place goes to Brian Smith as Josh. Then Gillian Greene as Jennifer and finally Richard Bergman as the sheriff. The plot and storyline of this film had great potential and promise but fell far short due mainly to poorly written, illogical and uncomfortable to watch dialogue. The veteran actors tried their best to carry this movie but were not provided good writing to work with. Also the constant background and effect music was often inappropriate and annoying, especially during indoor dialogue scenes. The scenery however, was gorgeous. Michael Landon Jr, now in his 40's, recent four "Love's" series films are fine examples of very high quality films. It is quite obvious he has inherited his famous father's gifts and sensitivities.