Movie Review: "Grown Ups"

Laughter is always a great medicine, so if you are sick, you need to drive over to your nearest movie theater this summer and check out "Grown Ups!" In comparison to other Adam Sandler movies, this does not rank as his most comical. The laughs don't quite measure up to Waterboy, Happy Gilmore, or Billy Madison, but nonetheless, you will have your share of laughs and will not be disappointed with this Dennis Dugan production. I will admit that some of the funniest moments were revealed during the previews, but no worries, there is still more leftover!

With a cast that consists of Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade, it's nearly impossible to not have a couple chuckles during this movie! Oh, and in addition to the chuckles, the fellahs will appreciate the "eye candy" in this movie, as the stunningly beautiful Salma Hayek poses as Sandler's wife . . . and Schneider's character has two barely-18 year old daughters that will even make a priest do a double-take!

This movies was not all perfect, though. Some of the comedy was a bit forced, such as Chris Rock's mother-in-law, who appears to have a habit of breaking wind. Hey, I love farting and fart jokes as much as the next guy, but if you're going to use it, be original with it. Another example of forced comedy in this movie is during the scenes when Rob Schneider makes out and "tongues" his wife, who is old enough to be his grandmother. Seriously, how many more times are movies and TV shows going to try to get cheap laughs by having strange and/or unattractive couples slipping each other the tongue. I've seen it a million times! It was funny only the first 50 times!

Sandler, who portrays a successful business man with a pretty wife and three children, does a very admirable job in this movie. Even though I have enjoyed Sandler's past movies, I would always get annoyed by the countless moments where he would go into that Sandlerish "baby-talk" mode. It always took away from his characters and I never found it necessary. Well, luckily, none of that baby-talk is utilized by Adam in "Grown Ups." Other than his baby-talk moments, I also feared that of that typical moment in the movie where Sandler would suddenly try to make things a little more serious and send a message with some soggy drama. Unfortunately, it did happen at the end (during a basketball game), but the moment was very subtle and quick, and did not cause those "easy-criers" to pick up any tissues.

It was a great cast, but I was a bit disappointed with Chris Rock's character. I realize he is not the lead character in this movie, but he still seemed really weak. Even when he did get his time in the limelight in this movie, it seemed like everything he said was written for him by somebody else . . . yes, I realize that is the whole concept of a "script," but come on, it's Chris Rock! I expect some witty ad-libbing with this guy! It seemed as though he wasn't even trying! True, his character was a lame and feeble "housewife" who was at the mercy of his cranky wife, so he had to be a LITTLE soft, but, come on, it's still Chris Rock!!

The only other thing that I really found disturbing about the movie was seeing David's Spade's naked rear. As a straight male, I hate seeing a naked rear on any male, but for some reason, seeing David Spade's cheeks is a little more disturbing than most. I will give him props, though . . . he does a stellar job acting as a 40-something drunken pervert! (you'd almost think he was like that in real life!)

As far as "comedic value" goes, I'd give this movie a 7.5 out of 10. There is a just a tad bit too much of the aforementioned "forced comedy" to give this movie an 8.0 or higher. Overall, though, this is still a very entertaining movie that can be enjoyed and appreciated by all ages.