Nostalgia reigns supreme with Jacob Two-Two, the main characters in celebrated Canadian author Mordecai Richler’s children’s series. Jacob must say things twice to be heard because of his small stature and has had several adventures. His first one, Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, was first put on the big screen in 1978, and in 1999, the story was brought to life once again. In the 1999 adaptation George Bloomfield, who also directed countless Canadian films and TV shows like Due South, La Femme Nikita, and Neon Rider, took on the task of re-envisioning this little boy’s adventure.
Jacob (Max Morrow) is two plus two plus two years old and determined to prove to his parents that he can do things. His father passes on an errand to Jacob to buy two firm red tomatoes. He takes his mission very seriously, despite the many distractions along the way to the store. Upon his arrival, he’s teased by adults in the shop and runs away. Knocking himself out in his panic, he finds himself trapped in a dream world, where asking for two tomatoes is a grave crime. He is put on trial with a rapping judge (Ice-T) and sentenced to a children’s prison on Slimer’s Island. Once he arrives, he meets the bombastic Hooded Fang (Gary Busey), a wrestler with a terrifying presence who detests kids and oversees the jail with his lurching slimers. Little Jacob must learn how to find his voice and rescue the children from the Hooded Fang’s tyranny.
This fantasy musical also stars Kids in the Hall actor Mark McKinney, Miranda Richardson, Maury Chaykin, and maybe a TTC bus or two. It’s a wild ride for the whole family.
