The movie was released on direct-to-DVD in the United States on May 17, 2016. The film received negative reviews from critics, with criticism and disappointment because for being a lazy, uninspired sequel that fails to capture the charm and originality of the first film. Critics highlight that the jokes fall flat, the story is unoriginal and ineffective, and it simply attempts to "cash in" on the name of the original movie with a bland plot and characters. It is often described as "trash" and a "black hole of merit" with a disappointing storyline that lacks any meaningful connection between the lead and the children.
Synopsis
A federal agent must go undercover as a kindergarten teacher, to recover a missing flash drive from the Federal Witness Protection Program. Helping him with his mission is Agent Sanders, his partner, and Detective David Harris, his new sidekick, who comes out of retirement.
Chris Violette as Country Bar Bartender (uncredited)[source?]
Tawny West as Line Dancer (uncredited)
Production
On June 1, 2015, it was reported that The Garden and Half Past Dead director Don Michael Paul will be directing the movie, and Arnold Schwarzenegger will not return as Detective John Kimble. Schwarzenegger announced that his character Detective John Kimble is now officially retired from being a kindergarten teacher and police officer. Schwarzenegger was replaced by Dolph Lundgren as a new character FBI Agent Zack Reed, and Paul hired Matthew Lillard who previously played as Detective David Harris in the original 1990 movie. Lillard agreed to return.
On December 21, 2015, the 25th anniversary of the theatrical release of the original movie the first official photos of Kindergarten Cop 2 were released via About.