On DVD and Blu-ray, Rated PG-13
If you were a teenager in the early 90s, then this reunion of former SNL stars (Adam Sandler, David Spade, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider) might just work for you - sort of. Kevin James - a Chris Farley substitute - rounds out the main 5 who were all childhood friends. They get together at a New England lakehouse after the death of their former childhood basketball coach. Most of the film seems ad libbed with the comics trying to outdo each other. Which works better than it should since you get genuine laughs from most of the actors. The message that getting in touch with nature is better than modern conveniences is easy to spot and juvenile humor abounds . . .
But there's something endearing about watching these guys "mature" as similarly as I have. Other SNL alums show up (Colin Quinn, Norm MacDonald, Tim Meadows) solidifying the notion that Sandler is using his clout to help some old friends get paid. This is not a good film and doesn't hold up with an ounce of scrutiny. The plot is almost non-existent, the ending is forced, and it's frequently embarrassing (especially for Maya Rudolph). But it never bores and is frequently funny. C+
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Grown Ups - C+
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2 comments:
Might have to check it out since it hits my (our) demographic. Rob Schneider usually means I won't watch, but I'll just fast forward through his parts.
You might also appreciate a bunch of guys getting together - basically on vacation - talking about old times.
Schneider is most definitely the weak link, but he's the one that's made fun of the most so its tolerable. It's an ensemble so there's no fast-forwarding Rachel McAdams style.
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