The Freak's Rating: D : There is something to be said for having fun on set. Sometimes when you watch certain films, you can just feel that the cast was getting along throughout the filming. You can even begin to rely on the chemistry among the lead actors in a film, often heading to the theater for sequels that will no doubt suck simply because the people in it are good together (e.g. Lethal Weapon 4, The Karate Kid 3, etc...). Knowing that four of the five "stars" of Grown Ups have such chemistry through their working relationships on Saturday Night Live will lead audiences to see Grown Ups...sadly.
Adam Sandler has made a couple good films, right? Happy Gilmore had me in stitches in college. Billy Madison was amusing on some level. Heck, even The Waterboy had a few laughs. Since his laughfests of the 90s, Sandler has attempted drama (Punch Drunk Love and Funny People) and family films such as Bedtime Stories. Having failed on his other artistic attempts, he is now heading back to his roots, comedy. Sadly, the likability he had as an early-30s comedian doesn't carry over into a late 40s "actor". Sandler is dry now, with little originality. You are almost hoping he breaks into an impersonation of his mother or busts out a guitar to sing "Lunch Lady Land" just to bring a smile to your face. What you get is stale humor.
The remainder of the cast is having fun, completely. Improvisation is obvious throughout the film and there if far too much of it allowed. Many times the cast is just laughing at their own jokes, which wears thin about 10 minutes in. There are a few laughs, some hot girls and enough sentimentality to merit a viewing for hardcore fans of any of these five comedians. Just don't go looking for anything to write home about.
