![]() In this film Lenny must contend with the news that his wife (Hayek) wants to have a fourth child. His wife Roxanne Chase-Feder (Salma Hayek) is no longer a snob. ![]() In this film Lenny and his family are much happier, the kids are playing outside and not the little jerks like they were in the first. This film is unlike the original Grown Ups, but compared to Sandler’s 2011 Jack and Jill train wreck this movie keeps you laughing. I had no expectations and came out happy. Although the film has mixed reviews when walking out of the theater, I personally could not stop laughing. To be honest this film seems to target the teenage boy to mid forty year old man. However, Kevin James, Chris Rock and David Spade are such strong comedic actors they are able to save the films hilarity and pace. Adam Sandler takes elements from that era, but isn’t as successful with the set ups and punch lines. Grown Ups 2 is very reminiscent of earlier Sandler movies from the late 90’s such as The Waterboy (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Little Nicky (2000). Instead it’s much more slapstick filled with comedy antics, and pranks the keeps you laughing. Well this movie doesn’t have too many strong family values like the first film. The friends all rekindle their friendships up at the old lake house with some very funny scenes. In the first film we followed each of the friends and how they came back together after their high school coach passed away. Its three years later and Lenny and his group of immature middle-aged dads are all back living in their home town and dealing with family life. The film brings back the whole gang (minus Rob Schneider) Kevin James, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, David Spade, Tim Meadows and more. It’s not terribly deep and insightful, as moments in the aforementioned The Way, Way Back are, but Grown Ups 2 is comfortable and, at times, genuinely hilarious.Adam Sandler and company returns with his sequel, Grown Ups 2, a follow up to his 2010 blockbuster Grown Ups. The pull of this kind of project is simple: I enjoyed spending time with these folks in this ideal New England hamlet. The appeal here is clearly the chemistry of the four leads and the 90’s SNL cameos, delivering it all with only a minor insult to audience intelligence. There’s stuff involving a frat (the leader played by an uncredited Taylor Lautner), which feels unnecessary and makes for a rather lazy payoff that garners little laughs. Like a 90’s sitcom, the story features a multi-generational perspective of this given day, where the kids stand up for themselves and the adults learn that they both can still make the same mistakes they made when they were that age, all while providing advice to a new generation. But at 101 minutes, it’s the rare summer comedy that does not feel the need to bloat itself beyond reason. Grown Ups 2 has an awful lot of comedic talent that is underused, including Maya Rudolph and even Spade, returning as a ladies man who discovers he has a son who is potentially on the path to becoming a serial killer (played by Alexander Ludwig). The film is a vintage Sandler-Dennis Dugan– Fred Wolf collaboration, thankfully smarter than their last few films, including the intellectually insulting Jack and Jill and the sexist farce Just Go With It. ![]() Along the way there are some familiar faces, including Nick Swardson (as a bisexual bus driver who is taking drugs prescribed by a doctor he met at a Cypress Hill concert), Steve Buscemi, Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, Jon Lovitz and Cheri Oteri. Taking place over the course of one day, this is a comedy that captures a sense of place, from the morning (where Sandler is woken up by a buck that ransacks his house) to the night, which ends with an 80s-themed party. Reuniting his childhood pals Kurt ( Chris Rock), Marcus ( David Spade) and Eric ( Kevin James), the film is often a delightful sitcom. Larry (Sandler), still married to fiery Roxanne ( Salma Hayek), has returned from Los Angeles, moving to back to his New England hometown. ![]() Still, I admit in spite of the projectile vomit, fart and poop jokes and all of the typical humor a fifth grader might enjoy (which have become the hallmark of many Adam Sandler productions), this is a genuine piece of comfort food and is mostly a good time. File this one under, “how can it be wrong when it feels so right.” Grown Ups 2 isn’t quite a guilty pleasure, but as a fun summer comedy it hits the spot, or perhaps a void (unless The Way Way Back is playing in your neighborhood, then go see that one instead).
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