ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES
If you grew up as a kid in the ’90s, you know and remember the power that The Addams Family had over us! I distinctly remember seeing both films in theaters and went as Uncle Fester for Halloween. Paramount Home Entertainment is celebrating the season by releasing Addams Family Values on 4K for the first time. I have many friends who would proudly claim that the sequel is better than the original!
In Addams Family Values, Morticia (Anjelica Huston) and Gomez (Raul Julia) welcome the arrival of their new baby son, Pubert. Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) are less than enthused about having a sibling going so far as to attempting to off his head many times. Their attitude grows worrisome so Morticia and Gomez send them off to a chipper summer camp. The search is on for a new nanny and in walks the warm and vocal, Debbie Jellinski (Joan Cusack), who immediately makes a strong impression. She’s hired on the spot and seems to have a romantic hold over Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd). What the Addams don’t know is that she’s a killer on the run, known only as the Black Widow.
Addams Family Values was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld who helmed both films. His years working as a cinematographer for people like the Coen Brothers gives him a unique eye at world building and bringing a distinct vision to his films. He perfectly captures that gothic, macabre sensibility that Charles Addams brought to his comics. Paul Rudnick brings his sharp and witty dialogue to the screenplay with perfect quips from Morticia to Gomez or Debbie’s absolute breakdown. Joan Cusack is firing on all cylinders playing the diabolical Debbie, and Huston and Julia are pitch perfect as Morticia and Gomez, respectively.
Here’s what to expect with the new 4K release, per the press release
- NEW! Commentary by director Barry Sonnenfeld and screenwriter Paul Rudnick— The writer and director of ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES reunite to watch their beloved comedy and provide new insight on the production and the film’s continuing legacy.
- NEW! Creating Family Values— The Paramount Archives digs up a collection of insightful behind-the-scenes images and interviews shot during the production of ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES—including director Barry Sonnenfeld, screenwriter Paul Rudnick, and stars Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, and Joan Cusack.
Here’s a video I made for TikTok
