HYPED beyond reason and opening this week with more history than the state of Louisiana is "Fierce Creatures" (PG), the long-awaited "equel" to "A Fish Called Wanda".

But what is an "equel" you cry as one? Well, readers, it's like a sequel, in that it is a follow-on from another film, but unlike a sequel features none of the same characters or story line.

What we have is this: back in the 1980s, erstwhile Pythons John Cleese and Michael Palin teamed up with Americans Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline to make what was then the most successful British comedy ever. It remained in that enviable position until a minor hit called "Four Weddings and a Funeral".

Ever since, Cleese has been keen to re-create the chemistry of the first hit, bringing together the same team of actors in a British comedy. And "Fierce Creatures" is it.

The plot is thus: Cleese is the boss of a quiet British Zoo which is taken over by an American super-corporation, demanding vast profits or else (know that feeling).

He reckons the key to success is out with the cute and cuddly, and in with the eponymous fierce creatures, sending zookeepers (incl Palin, Ronnie Corbett, Robert Lindsay and others) into a tizz and trying to save their furry friends by pretending lemurs are lethal.

Enter Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline as the new owners (Kline in dual as new boss and son) to bring a bit of brash Americanism into the mixing pot.

But enough of the plot: this is farce in the Great British tradition: Cleese is obsessed by Curtis' mammaries rather than management style, boxer shorts are top the fore, and the beleaguered keepers have to dress up in silly costumes.

It has a cast to die for, and , despite the notorious Yank-enforced re-shoot, is still worth a view.

Blokes! Tired of all this macho new lad nonsense? Want to get back in touch with your caring sensitive side that you found before "Loaded"? Then "She's the One" is for you.

This is a chick movie for blokes, in which two New York Irish brothers discover their Dad isn't the fount of wisdom they always thought, especially when it comes to romance. Starring, written and directed by Edward Burns, who gave us "The Brothers McMullen", this follows brothers Francis (Mike McGlone) and Mickey (Burns). Former a success-driven yuppie, latter a slacker taxi driver. The only thing they share is Dad (John Mahoney) and Cameron Diaz, Mickey's ex-fiancee and Francis's current mistress.

Also along for the ride are Jennifer "Friends" Aniston as Francis's frustrated wife, and Maxine Bahns as the girl Mickey marries within 24 hours of meeting.

They have to work out over a few painful weeks that Dad's advice: "Do what makes you happy first" ain't for the best when it comes to dealing with the ladies.

It is gentle, funny and contains some great one-liners, especially when Mahoney is busy stealing scene after scene.

I saw this at a mass-preview screening and every woman who went didn't like it, but most of the blokes did. Like I said, a chick movie for blokes, and none the worse for that. Recommended.

Also opening, but no room for full details:

"Powder" (12) albino teenager with psychonetic powers angst outsider stuff. Just the thing for everyone who didn't get a Valentine.

"Harriet the Spy" (PG) Daft nosy kid capers starring Rosie O'Donnell and young Michelle Trachtenberg. Ideal for those too young to get a Valentine.

"In Love and War" (15) Chris O'Donnell stars as Ernest Hemmingway, the most over-rated writer of the 20th Century, and Sandra Bullock as the nurse with whom he was a WWI fling. One for couples who gave each other Valentines. Competition Time!

This week we have a bunch of goodies to give away to mark the opening of "Harriet the Spy" (PG).

Send the answers to the following on a postcard to Richard Lewis - that's him, pictured - Bury Times, Market Street, Bury, Lancs, BL9 0PF.

This is the first film from the US Kid's TV Channel Nickelodeon. Which of their cartoons, shown last year on BBC 2, features a doltish fat cat and a psychotic chihuahua?

(a) Tom and Jerry

(b) Ren and Stimpy

(c) Thelma and Louise

E-mail your answers to rlewis@newsquest.co.uk Don't forget a postal address for your prizes!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.