Grown Ups: Summer Officially Begins!
What are up with these mega all-star cast films nowadays? Seems like we just can’t get enough of them no matter how bad they are. Hollywood studios slap a label on a one-sheet poster with five or more big box-office stars and all they have to do is sit back on their laurels and count the cash that rolls in during the film’s opening weekend despite any negative critical reviews.
Today’s topic of discussion is an American comedy film called Grown Ups. The movie stars Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Steve Buscemi, Norm MacDonald and more. Wow! That’s a lot of stars! So I guess it’s pretty safe to assume Columbia Pictures will get the box-office numbers they are looking for this weekend. But really, how’s the movie?
I remember seeing trailers for this film at screening events in the beginning of the year and thinking to myself, “How boring… yawn… next!” Then came the trailer that was shown before Kick-Ass and I remember thinking, “Hey, this movie looks kind of funny now.”
Well I’m pleased to report, in my mind, the summer movie season officially begins with Grown Ups. I was so scared that all the funny parts were shown in the trailer. I never was happier to be wrong. Although I initially had my doubts about this film, I was relinquished to discover how much I actually laughed throughout. It’s a warm and comedic coming of age movie that I think most middle age adults can relate to and enjoy. It’s formulaic as hell, but it’s tightly woven in a way every good screenplay should be. And ooh la la… Salma Hayek was looking good. I wonder why I have not been paying more attention to her in the past? I had a lot of fun with this one. There were two scenes in particular that had me in stitches and I knew if I did not try to contain myself my wife would be giving me that “really” look any second like she did during our Pink Panther viewing last year.
Grown Ups finds our main five stars (Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider) and their families reuniting after an extended period of time to grieve over their dead junior high school basketball coach. Yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds. After all, I don’t even talk to a soul from my high school class. But trust me, the film is a blast. It’s not your dirty slapstick Rated R movie we are all accustomed to over the past few years; however, you are going to have to trust me here again. The laughs are still in abundance to be had. It was great to reminisce and revisit all the comedians I grew up with together for the first time in one feature film. I’m going to give this one two thumbs up, recommend catching this one in the theaters this weekend or the next and officially mark it as a Blu-ray purchase for myself later on in the year. Summer’s here folks! Catch the rainbow (Skittles)!
Terrific work! This is the type of review that should be shared around the web.
Another film I’ll never see. I’m not an Adam Sandler or Kevin James fan.
I will make sure to give you this Blu-ray to review. You sound like me and my Sean Connery complex.
haha, thanks Brian. I just saw a trailer that actually made me chuckle. It was the one where Salma Hayek says she’s the champion at skipping stones, then she throws one and it hits one of the kids in the belly.
That made me laugh.
Hey, Sir Sean Connery is a thespian!
How can one not like Adam Sandler? There wasn’t a single film you ever liked of his?
Brian you don’t like Sean Connery but you like Adam Sandler? I think Sandler is all right but Connery blows him out of the water!
Ha ha… Just a personal preference, but I will take Sandler any day over Connery. I’m not ignorant and I’m not a fool. I realize who the better actor, but Connery’s quirkiness and voice just drives me insane. I cringe everytime I see him in Indy 3.
Wow. Not only is Connery one of our best actors but he’s also the best Bond as well. I also thought he was great in Last Crusade, but he always is good in whatever movies he does although I really didn’t like Highlander.