Grown Ups Movie Review

GROWN UPS: SURPRISINGLY FUNNY

To be honest, Happy Madison productions aren't known to be critics' darlings. But with Grown Ups, Adam Sandler and company have managed to turn out a funny and charming film about childhood friends who come together again as adults. Sandler film staples such as Rob Schneider and Blake Clarke are present along with funny men Chris Rock, Kevin James, and David Spade. It is a sweet but predictable film that has a lot of laughs.

Lenny Feder (Adam Sandler), Kurt McKenzie (Chris Rock), Rob Hilliard (Rob Schneider), Eric Lamonsoff (Kevin James), and Marcus Higgins (David Spade) are lifelong friends who played basketball together growing up. When their beloved coach passes away, they get together for the funeral and an impromptu weekend with their families. Lenny is a big shot Hollywood agent who thinks his kids are becoming too spoiled. Kurt is a stay at home dad while his wife Deanne (Maya Rudolph) is the breadwinner for their family. Rob is a spiritual man who considers himself to be a holistic healer. Marcus is a lifelong bachelor. And Eric is part owner in a furniture store and is married to Sally (Maria Bello). They get reacquainted over several days and try to teach their children what it was like for them growing up without video games and cellphones.

The story is essentially about the friendship between these five men. Their differences and how each one of them contributes to the group. There is an easiness between the guys and how they antagonize each other. That is what makes the story work. It is predictable and filled with cheesy parts, but it is also loaded with funny one liners. The men of the Grown Ups appear to be good friends. They have a rapport that makes the audience feel like they are a fly on the wall at their party. Each one of the guys is a comic in their own right. And when they get together they are unstoppable. Grown Ups was filmed in Massachusetts. The cabin that they all stay in is charming. This cabin and the beautiful scenery of the water and trees is reminiscent of summer camp.

One thing about Adam Sandler is that he has shown over his career is that he isn't really that interested in impressing movie critics. It is obvious in the plots in everyone of his films. They all have the same elements such as going for the obvious gag. But sometimes, such as the case with Grown Ups, thats okay.

Grown Ups isn't going to win an Oscar. But it isn't going to win a Razzie either. It is just a fun Adam Sandler film with a group of guys ribbing on each other the whole movie. While having a couple of messages about the importance of family and friends.

Report Card:

Story-C

Acting-B

Visuals-B

Originality/Innovation-C

Enjoyability Grade–B+

Overall Grade-B