Grown Ups - movie review

GROWN UPS
A; Comedy
Dir: Dennis Dugan
Cast: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Kevin James, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock
Rating: ***

What's it about: Speak of the devil named Adam Sandler and two things come to mind. One, more often than not, it's going to be a Happy Madison production that reeks of toilet humour. Two, that it's undoubtedly going to include Rob Schneider. If Sandler's playing the most enviable role, you can be sure that Rob is going to occupy the opposite end of the ring, a nasty place to be. The punches fly thick and fast and it's all in good fun.



That said, Grown Ups is no different. This is the story of five friends who won their school the only basketball championship trophy it ever got. It was their coach's only win. They return to their hometown some decades later, when their beloved coach kicks the bucket. It was his dying wish that his fav five disperse his ashes at a selected location. Easier said than done.

The guys have changed over the years. Lenny (Sandler) is a Hollywood agent who is something of a control freak. Married to a fashion designer wife (Hayek), his family is used to the high life. Coming back to his roots for a day (it turns out to be an extended weekend) is nothing like what he expected. One friend is laid off but behaves like he's living it up. Another is the 'wife' (or stay-home dad, I keep forgetting) in the marriage. Yet another has been married a third time (this time to a loving woman his granny's age). The last bloke is the good-for-nothing bachelor.

How they resolve the pent-up frustrations and soothe out the issues in their life, amid farts and other assorted squelchy noises, is what Grown Ups is about.

What's hot: The comic lineup is stellar. These are guys who do stuff like this with their eyes closed. Forget the mid-life crises they're having. It's a laugh marathon with blue humour and poop jokes peppering the narrative. It's always fun to see grown men reliving their childhood. Obviously, this is a family flick for clans that can keep an open mind.

What's not: It's very easy to get grossed out when you least expect it.

What to do: It's really funny if you can get off your high horse and give it a chance.