![]() ![]() As we follow the gang we are inundated with jokes about the days of yore and introduced to each character’s issues. They are spending the day preparing for a 1980’s themed party to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of summer. Sandler and his pals live in the town of their youth – apparently a town no one ever leaves. The film revisits a group of childhood buddies (James, Rock, Spade and Sandler) that made the original Grown Ups surprisingly popular. With a production budget of only $80 million, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that it was a hit among Hollywood execs. Despite being destroyed by critics it appears that director Dennis Dugan did something right, though, because Grown Ups 2 raked-in over $245 million in box office sales world wide. Unfortunately, it’s lacking in nearly every other department. What this movie is NOT lacking is starpower. Former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, wrestler Steve Austin, and Steve Buscemi are also given screen time and ESPN-stars Dan Patrick and Chris Berman make cameo appearances. The well-known Salma Hayek plays the role of Sandler’s wife. ![]() Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Maya Rudolph, and Sandler lead the charge (Sandler being the showcase actor of the bunch) along with smaller comedic rolls for Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, and Jon Lovitz. On the upside, it features an honor roll of funny comedians. Of course thrown into the scene are undergarments flying through the air, the teenage son exposed in the shower, a near collision with an obnoxious mailman, and destruction of several rooms in the Feder home. After soaking Lenny, the buck stampedes through the Feder home unleashing more golden love before charging through the front door chasing little Becky Feder’s (Alexys Sanchez) sock monkey. Unbeknownst to Lenny, a giant buck is standing next to his bed preparing to bath him in the warmth of a golden shower. Here’s just a quick slice: Scene one has Lenny Feder (Adam Sandler) waking-up next to his gorgeous wife (Salma Hayek) and basking in the golden glow of a beautiful morning. In a matter of seconds, however, the credits are done and we are pulled into what proves to be an hour and forty minutes of a sad, depressing, present day reality. The words “Happy Madison Productions” grace the screen and a warm feeling of yesteryear tugs at the heart strings a time when Adam Sandler permanently affixed himself as one Hollywood’s big guns with hit parade of solid – albeit juvenile – comedic efforts including Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy, and Big Daddy. As the opening production credits for Grown Ups 2 are unveiled we are smacked in the face with one iconic reminder of what has been.
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