Happy Gilmore 2 stars Sandler alongside Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Benny Safdie, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and Ben Stiller. The sequel to Happy Gilmore (1996) follows Happy Gilmore (Sandler), a widowed alcoholic and ex-golfer who returns to professional golf to help pay for his daughter’s overseas ballet school but it is no easy task as the existence of traditional golf is facing a crisis of up and coming “reinvention” of the sport called Maxi Golf.
Now with all the buzz that was going on for this film, Happy Gilmore was released in 1996 and I did not watch it until earlier this year so it is still fresh in my mind. It was insane to see Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, and Christopher McDonald so young and the film really held up through the years and definitely a candidate on the Mount Rushmore of Adam Sandler’s classics. Now it has been a trend of Hollywood lately of making unnecessary sequels/reboots to films of the 90s and sometimes Adam Sandler’s films can be a miss but for Happy Gilmore 2, I was pleasantly surprised and entertained with how fun this movie was.
50 First Dates, Big Daddy, Mr. Deeds all had something in common and it was the combination of Adam Sandler’s crude humor and tug on your heartstring moments. Happy Gilmore 2 is a special film on its own because it also introduces both of his real-life daughters in roles that when his character was at his lowest, their support and motivation helped him overcome challenges and improve himself for the better which enhanced the more emotional parts of the story.
As every sequel should, it puts some references and running gags from the first film as well as have flashback scenes so that for those who have not watched it recently, can still enjoy this movie seamlessly without the interrupting thought “wait who is that?”
There are so many cameos in this movie that it was insane. From Margaret Qualley to Eminem, you can definitely see a lot of them were having fun which sold a lot of the funniest moments of the film. What surprised me was how much I enjoyed Bad Bunny in this film. His comedic timing was perfect in this film and was further complemented by Adam Sandler’s character. Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin, the best golfer in the 90s (exception to Tiger Woods) delivers a classic performance and even after almost 20 years, still does not MISS.
Along with the celebrity cameos, it was great to see the inclusion of actual pro golfers as well. Although I am not knowledgeable of the world of golf players, this movie generated my curiosity in looking up the players themselves and this movie doubles as a way to advertise golfing.
Now in no way, is this a perfect film, the film’s storyline is pretty simple, no crazy twists, and the main antagonist is unremarkable and forgettable at times. Sometimes the jokes don’t always land and can come off a bit awkward. As well, I am not a huge fan of a certain character’s death at the beginning of the film and wanted to see how that relationship grew. But to me when you are watching an Adam Sandler film, you already know what you are getting yourself into. It will be a simple story filled with humor and cameos and sprinkling in some heartfelt moments. The film does not market itself to be on the same level as Hustle, Uncut Gems, Spanglish, Punch-Drunk Love, or Reign Over Me. Adam Sandler’s filmography is really a great reflection of who he is and his capabilities. Even so, I had a surprisingly fun time and appreciate bringing the feeling of nostalgia in a not so gimmicky way.
