Back in 1999, a little comedy hit the local multiplex about a fish specialist by day, male prostitute by night who went by the name Deuce Bigalow. As played by Rob Schneider, Deuce was a goofy guy with a heart of gold who made his "clients" happy not with his physical gifts but with his acts of kindness. At the end of the film, Deuce headed off into the sunset with his beloved, Kate, seemingly to a life full of happiness. But oh, how fate can be cruel!

The new film finds Deuce in mourning for his beloved Kate, who was tragically eaten by a shark on their honeymoon while feeding sea turtles. All that remains is her prosthetic leg, which Deuce carries around in a duffle bag. And he takes it with him when he is called to Amsterdam by his former "he-pimp," TJ (Eddie Griffin). There he learns that someone is killing all of the male escorts throughout Europe. After TJ is errantly blamed with the murders it is up to Deuce to help him out. Even if it means going back to "the life."

I can best sum this film up by quoting Joseph Bologna when he commented on a script he didn't enjoy in "My Favorite Year"..."what a stink burger!" Any fond memories of the first film are swiftly cast aside by the lack of humor and heart delivered here. I was very puzzled that the original movie received an R rating. The language wasn't bad and there was nothing in it that was really offensive. I always figured that the subject matter made the ratings board a little skittish. I think the producers decided that, since part two would also get an R that they might as well make the film earn it's rating. And while the language is blue and many of the women topless, the lack of anything funny happening on screen makes one wonder what the screenwriters, Schneider included, were thinking. Anti-American jokes and women with an assortment of physical defects, including big ears, hunched backs and a nose that resembles something else, have taken the place of humor. Schneider is his usual nebbish self and Griffin, who deserves much better, almost seems embarrassed to be in the film. Only Norm McDonald, in an extended cameo, truly earns his laughs. If there is a bright spot here it is newcomer Hanna Verboom. As Deuce's new love interest, she projects a sweet quality that perfectly compliments her beauty.

I always worry when a film is less then 90 minutes long, especially when it's not animated. With credits, "Gigolo" clocks in at a whopping 83. Sadly, that's about 80 minutes too long.

On a scale of zero to four stars, and taking into account that Norm McDonald made me laugh, I give "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo"