Grown Ups 2

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph, Nick Swardson, Steve Buscemi, Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, Jon Lovitz, Shaquille O'Neal, Milo Ventimiglia, Andy Samberg, Taylor Lautner
Directed by: Dennis Dugan
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
2013

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: The childhood friends continue their lives and friendship together, facing troubles at home, bullies, and the reality of growing older.

Review:

Tim: I guess I have to sigh, because once again we get a Grown Ups movie, and once again, try as I might, I can't hate the film. Sure, it's incredibly stupid, juvenile, and ridiculous. It also happened to make me laugh several times. You wouldn't mistake this for a good movie, but it's certainly not as bad as it should have been. Once again, Adam Sandler and company surprise me.

Like the first film, a great deal of credit has to go to the cast. I really enjoy watching all these comedic actors together. That's the chief reason to watch this film. Adam Sandler does a good job headlining the cast, although I do wish he'd take some more risks in his career. Kevin James is a good number two, and he has some very funny moments. I always like Chris Rock, and I just wish he had more screen time. David Spade is fine, he does manage to generate a few laughs. I thought it was odd that Rob Schneider wasn't in this film. I don't care enough to research why, but what on earth was he doing instead? Schneider certainly didn't opt out for artistic reasons, so it must have come down to money. I can't say that I missed Schneider (has anyone ever said that, ever, in human history?). It wasn't that his absence left a hole, it was just something I noted. Salma Hayek once again seems hard-to-believe as Sandler's wife. I liked the new additions to the cast, especially Taylor Lautner and Shaquille O'Neal. Overall, this is a big cast, and it's great fun seeing them all on screen together.

Dennis Dugan does a good job keeping the film moving along, complete with a series of funny moments. There's nothing here especially memorable, but the cast and the script do generate some laughs. Dugan needed to keep moving, because there's not really any reason for this movie to exist- it doesn't continue any of the character stories in meaningful ways. The whole thing is pointless, and yet, the movie is just entertaining enough that I rarely considered the pointlessness of everything I was seeing. This was sort of fun, in an absolutely mindless way.

This is a movie that I just couldn't get excited about. And yet, despite the bad first impression, this movie follows the same formula as the last one- it never tries to be anything particularly special, but it doesn't want to be terrible, either. This film is the equivalent of the kid who's shooting for a C, just so he can pass the class and move on. There's nothing to really respect in that tactic, but it didn't make me hate the film at all. It's far too harmless for that. This is a film made by a bunch of actors who enjoy hanging out together, and I appreciate that. They genuinely have fun with each other, and that translates on screen. If you're looking for a hilarious comedy, this is certainly not the movie for you. However, if you're just trying to pass some time in a borderline enjoyable manner, Grown Ups 2 might just be your ticket.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 6.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Grown Ups, The Waterboy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Little Nicky, The Longest Yard