As with last year's "Beethoven," the cleverly titled "Beethoven's 2nd" is best served when Charles Grodin is on the screen, as the hapless head of a modern suburban household that has been invaded by a huge, incorrigible St. Bernard.

Grodin comically sputters and fumes, and generally displays indignation better than anyone in the movies today, and he is frequently hilarious. But once again, the film's focus is on the dogs, with a juvenile off-the-wall approach that may please children but will probably cause parents to tune out rather quickly.

In tried-and-true Hollywood fashion, this bigger-is-better sequel has the house invaded by four St. Bernard puppies, which allows Grodin the opportunity for even more doubletakes and outrage.

"Beethoven's 2nd" begins with Beethoven meeting Missy, who becomes the love of his life, and much of what immediately follows is a live-action version of "Lady and the Tramp." Then, the film's second half becomes "101 Dalmatians," as Missy's owner (Debi Mazar) is shown as a Cruelle de Vilclone, attempting to get Beethoven and Missy's pups for her own sadistic purposes. (Actually, it's appropriate that the film copies these Disney classics, since "Beethoven's 2nd" is very cartoony.)

Meanwhile, Grodin and family plan a vacation over the Fourth of July, which leads to a confrontation with Mazar and her dumb boyfriend (Chris Penn), as well as a hamburger-eating contest — for dogs and their owners.

Some of the subplots involve Grodin's efforts to get funding for an air freshener he has developed, his teenage daughter's first boyfriend, the younger kids taking in the puppies and feeding them when they are separated from their mother, etc.

But mainly this is all just an excuse for another series of jokes, alternately amusing, silly and vulgar (including variations on the first film's gags about dogs urinating on people and in their briefcases). There are also a couple of set-pieces calculated to get big laughs from the young audience, as when Beethoven pulls down a beach house balcony.

"Beethoven's 2nd" is rated PG for comic violence and a few vulgar gags.