I guess it must be time for Adam Sandler’s now yearly attempt at more mature comedy. After last summer’s Funny People my interest in Adam Sandler films dipped a bit, but this time around he turned to his regular cast mates and friends instead of going with the Hollywood in-crowd actors like Seth Rogan and Jonah Hill. The result was a better chemistry and the movie was just better all around. The film focuses on a group of childhood friends, now grown up, who spend the weekend together after attending their old coach’s funeral. Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider join Sandler as the leads.
The result is a group of characters that have a surprising amount of development while rarely getting preachy. Sandler is able to present a quality comedic effort with Spade and Schneider filling in the immature potty jokes. James gives his usually brand of likeable awkwardness as Rock takes a rare step away from the type A personality the audience is used to. None of the actors overshadow the others making the variety broad and all around funny. Even someone like Spade, who plays his typical sleaze wasn’t so bad.
The majority of the story is centered on the five men but their families also play a role and add to the multiple dimensions one doesn’t usually expect from Adam Sandler. This group worked well together on screen and made some fairly inoffensive humor that is family friendly.
It wasn’t the funniest movie I’ve ever seen but its good to see these actors back on the screen in a successful effort. When pinpointing the weak points of the film none blatantly stick out. The actors don’t give award worthy performances but they are good enough. Grown Ups is the movie I’d expect in this stage of Adam Sandler’s career. Not that awkward snoozer of last year, Funny People. (7.9 out of 10)
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