she said, “Grown Ups was like hanging out with your oldest and bestest friends, funny, a bit annoying but in the end left with you that warm fuzzy feeling and just wanting more. There was something very endearing about the movie even though it was so contrived. There are not many people I would not recommend this movie to though to but it should be known this is not atypical comedy its more of a middle of age coming of age story. Also Maya Rudolph is hilarious.”
Grade: B
he said, “There is something enjoyable about watching grown babies behave badly and there is something magical when a group of friends get together and have a good time. Grown Ups is that juncture. The SNL alums have gathered to make a film that marks a turning point as they enter that later half of middle age. Adam Sandler has taken on the more mature roll here showing that Billy Gilmore has grown up even if his humor hasn’t. He plays the Hollywood minded man who needs to find his New England roots*. Chris Rock leaves Black jokes behind and gets in touch with his feminine side. David Spade and Rob Schneider show that they are evolving but not turning their backs on what made them who they are. Even Kevin James, the newly inducted comic actor stepping in for Chris Farley, learns that to be man, one needs to rely on others sometimes.
The film succeeds on many levels. The boys are matched by a strong ensemble female cast. The sight gags, while expected of a Happy Madison production, are hysterically grotesque. And the written jokes as well as the improved ones come off as natural as they are funny. However, the film, ironically, suffers because it is too Hollywood. The script forces character arcs and a sub plot about a basketball game to fit the predictable three act structure of mainstream comedies; however, all the working elements screamed for this to be written and directed as an indie. One can only hope that when they grow up, they will do just that.”
Grade: B
*The film makes it clear that it’s taking place in general New England and not any particular state by having Adam Sandler’s character sporting various state college gear. I don’t understand why they were indecisive here. New England is a pretty small area of the country to begin with, by narrowing it down to a specific state at that point wouldn’t alienate the rest of the US. She said side note “though they all pull up in cars with CT plates and Sandler wears two CT based pieces of apparel, a uconn hat and a whalers t-shirt.”
Driving Nero Blvd. 