Alicia I love this movie so much

AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

a_chinn An even weirder sequel to the original. One of the main rats of the first film, Ben, befriends a lonely boy, who like Bruce Davidson's adult social misfit character, Willard, did in the first film, uses his rat friends to take care of his enemies and also to keep the him in good spirits regarding his health condition. Things get difficult for the boy and Ben when the police get involved and try to stop to Ben and his underground colony of rat friends. Directed by journeyman director Phil Karlson ("Walking Tall" "Kansas City Confidential"), Ben is competently made, but the story is just ridiculous, though it is definitely enjoyable on a camp level. The film's memorable theme song sung by Michael Jackson over then end credits is the perfect coda to this weirdo movie. Ben, the two of us need look no moreWe both found what we were looking forWith a friend to call my ownI'll never be alone, and you, my friend, will seeYou've got a friend in meBen, you're always running here and thereYou feel you're not wanted anywhereIf you ever look behind and don't like what you findThere's something you should know, you've got a place to goI used to say I and me, now it's us, now it's weI used to say I and me, now it's us, now it's weBen most people would turn you awayI don't listen to a word they sayThey don't see you as I doI wish they would try to'I'm sure they'd think again if they had a friend like BenA friend like BenAnd do yourself a favor and watch Crispin Glover's surreal music video cover version he directed for the "Willard" remake/reimagining. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4HmRhnoa38

Scott LeBrun Screenwriter Gilbert Ralston concocted this sequel to the previous years' big money maker "Willard" in a logical enough way. Since the only main character who survived that film was the rat Ben, Ralston fashioned a story around him. As a detective named Kirtland (Joseph Campanella) investigates the death of Willard Stiles, rat armies are mobilized around the city, laying waste to businesses and terrorizing hapless humans. Ben makes his way to the home of Danny (Lee Montgomery), a young boy with a bad heart. The two become best of friends, and Danny vows to protect his new rodent pal, no matter what he has to do or what lies he has to tell.This quickly knocked out sequel (by cult director Phil Karlson of "Kansas City Confidential" and "Walking Tall" fame) is not in the same league as its predecessor, which isn't unexpected. In fact, it's a positively goofy, silly movie, with a fairly bad script by Ralston (unless it's meant to be seen as tongue in cheek; it's hard to tell). There's some cruddy dialogue, and "Ben" also becomes a painful exercise in preciousness and cuteness when we see what kinds of things the "talented" Danny does to amuse himself. Still, it can't help but be touching on occasion, as the lonely Danny declares Ben to be the only real friend he has.There's quite a bit of decent rodent action in this flick, with the little furry animals claiming a couple of human victims. There's a show stopping sequence in a supermarket, and a pleasingly intense finale in the sewers.Young Montgomery is appealing in his introductory role. Rosemary Murphy ("You'll Like My Mother") and future 'Family Ties' mom Meredith Baxter are fine as his mom and sister. (Baxter and Montgomery deserve some credit for doing those sewer scenes; Montgomery also has a lot of nerve in being willing to give a rat a kiss.) Most of the supporting cast has precious little to do, but it's full of familiar faces: Arthur O'Connell as a reporter, Kaz Garas as Kirtlands' partner, Paul Carr and Norman Alden as cops, Kenneth Tobey as a city engineer, and James Luisi as a city worker.The haunting, lovely theme song sung by a very young Michael Jackson is obviously the most memorable thing about the whole production.Fairly entertaining animal attack horror from the old days of using actual animals and not digital critters.Six out of 10.

Chase_Witherspoon Michael Jackson's title theme is a moving ode and that it applies to a deadly pet rat makes for an odd, if memorable association in this sequel to the hugely successful "Willard" the year before. Youth Lee H.Montgomery is the new "Willard", essentially imprisoned in his parent's home by a rare medical condition, finding a quirky friendship in a stray rat (Ben) who is capable of marshaling the local rat population into war against mankind.Joseph Campanella is the no-nonsense police detective, while Meredith Baxter (pre David Birney) plays Lee's older sister. There are a number of familiar faces in the supporting cast (e.g. Paul Carr, Kaz Garas, Ken Tobey etc) and the film's rousing conclusion in the city's sewers with the main antagonist cornered, is a tense climax.The hyperbole written about this film relegating it to turkey status is unwarranted; while not as textured as its predecessor, it's much like the AIP genre films of the early-to-mid seventies in atmosphere and personnel and should entertain accordingly.

aceberserker Last time I saw this movie I was 10 years old, that is 35 years ago. I loved this movie and that is why I am ordering it. It was made in the 70's, so of course it isn't up to todays movie standards. Even though, I'm sure that kids will still love it. I can't believe what that wet-paint watcher said about it. It is a cult classic and the song "Ben" sung by Wacky Jacko at the end is great. I cried and probably will again. His/her comment isn't worth diddly squat. I still reckon it to be a great movie. I think people should judge the movie for themselves, taking into consideration that it is a 70's movie. That way you won't be expecting to see the kind of movie you would see in the cinema today. Nevertheless, this is a great movie for its time.