Well folks here's a couple of looks at Adam Sandler's latest little film that will most likely make a stunning amount of money and leave most critics scratching their collective heads wondering, "Why for Sandler Mobie make all da money?" And ya know... I don't know either. I have not particularly cared that much for Sandler... but he's beginning to grow on me. Hmmm... Maybe he's an acquired taste... kinda like Candy Corn (which I still hate)
Harry, first time I've ever had any reason at all to write in, I hope this makes it to your page. It's nothing terribly groundbreaking, nor did it require any Moriarty like trechery (and why is there no listing for henchman in the yellow pages) but I did get into an early screening of the new Adam Sandler movie, Big Daddy. Thought I'd just lend my opinion on it. If any spoilers do some how get into this, I will try and give advanced warning.
Okay, Adam Sandler is slacker and law school grad (makes perfect sense huh) who adopts 5 year old kid to keep his girlfriend from leaving him. Hillarity ensues. Not exactly the most elaborate plot, but hey it's Adam Sandler. This is a solid summer comedy, but not perticularly memorable. It's absolutly Sandler's most mainstream film. That's what I see as the main problem with the film. By sacrificing Adam Sandler the flaming asshole for Adam Sandler the goodnatured jokester, he will gain a larger (older, female) audience but he loses all the gut wrenching and hillarious gags of his earlier movies. Maybe it's because I was the right age at the right time when I saw Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore, but I found (and still do find) them a riot. Not so much this one. This is Sandler lite. Still crude, but given a once over with the pleasant rag. This leads me too the second problem with the film:
Maybe I'm too damn cynical, but I can only take so many closeups of droopy eyed little kids asking "are you my daddy". A lot of the people who hated Ray in Jerry Maguire are going to loathe Julian in BD.
I do think overall the film works though. It's light years better than last years' Waterboy, and it's a step in the right direction after the more serious tone of the Wedding Singer. I would rate this film behind Billy MAdison and Happy, but ahead of Wedding Singer and Waterboy. That's all for my review.
Jack Vincennes out.
And now here's what Treats thought of Sandler's latest...
I work at a radio station in Buffalo,NY,and we had our advanced screening of Big Daddy last night. Being a HUGE Adam Sandler fan from his earliest SNL days, I felt I had no choice but to skip Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals to see one of the funniest men alive's latest opus. Man, did I make the right decision. Not only is it hysterically funny,but Sandler has made a real movie,one with wit and emotion,not just shit and boob jokes. But don't worry,because there are plenty of shit and boob jokes,it wouldn't be a Sandler movie without 'em.It's hard to compare Big Daddy to any of Sandler's other movies,except maybe the Wedding Singer,but I hesitate to do that,because the Wedding Singer sucked. The whole cast seemed to be thinking "Look at Us,we're in the 80'S! How hip are we?" Remeber how fantastic Billy Madison was when Billy interacted with the kids (You're not cool unless you pee your pants!) Take that and spread it throughought Big Daddy. I was afraid that Sandler was going to take his final steps toward the dark side of comedy--the Mainstream,where Jim Carrey movies make 150 million and Chris Elliot toils away as a supporting player in There's Something About Mary. Big Daddy is a movie my mom would like,but it doesn't stray to far from Sandler's trademark adolescent humor. The twins playing Julian are just as good as Jonathan Lipnicki was in Jerry McGuire.The supporting cast adds real depth to the picture,especially uber babes Joey Lauren Adams and Leslie Mann. Jon Stewart,another comedian who's career I've been following for a while,uses his deadpan delivery to great effect here.The Ubiquitous Steve Buscemi checks in with a role as a Spaced out Homeless guy,it's always good to see Buscemi in any film,wether it's Resivior Dogs or Con Air.
There was a scene in Big Daddy that brought Tears to my eyes,and I think alot of the audience will be effected the same way. Sandler has finally made a film that will please everyone. I predict it could make upwards of 200 million dollars.Everyone will want to see this movie when it comes out. Summer of 99 is turning out to be the best summer for movies EVER,with Episode One and The Spy Who Shagged Me and now Big Daddy. Soon we'll have Eyes Wide Shut and South Park:Bigger,Longer and Uncut in the mix,too.Throw in the sleepers we're bound to discover,that will make the last summer of the 20th century one of the Cinematic History books,and hopefully will set the tone for the new millenium. Just wanted to let you know how incredible Big Daddy was. I've been enjoying your site for well over a year now.
All my friends call me "Treats" (It's a long story)
