"Summer Movie File 202: The Longest Yard"

It's fitting that Adam Sandler's movies usually are released in the summer. Because, they generally have the same feeling of just chilling out on a lazy summer afternoon. Sandler's latest effort is a remake of the 1970's flick the Longest Yard. The film tells the tale of football showdown between the prisoners and prison guards. Sandler, plays an ex-quarter back NFL star. One has to get past the absurdity of casting Sandler in such a role, and just accept it for a comic vehicle the better. The film seems closer to 50 first dates or Anger Mangement( the same director as both ) in its slightly darker tone than his earlier films like BIlly Madison.

The film actually uses violence in a more realistic way than most Sandler films. The film also deals with racial slurs and tensions which give it an unexpected edge. The actual screenplay isn't anything new. Basic under dog story, but in these kinds of comedies its the journey not the destination. Sitting back watching the actors zing one another, and cringing at the bone crushing hits and major hurts put on each other during games and practices.

The movie also co-stars fellow SNL alumni Chris Rock. Rock has yet to have a run away hit with a leading role. Fresh off the god-awful Head of State which he also wrote and directed. Rock does what he does best, walks around and tells jokes. In fact his character is likely purposely uninvolved in any of the football scenes, so he can spew off his new material. He basically walks around during stand up comedy in the movie. Just playing himself, as if he took a wrong turn the stage at one of his performances and wondered on to the movie set. Rock hasn't played an actual character since New Jack City.


Regardless, the movie exists to make you route for people and the everyman Sandler. I guess it worked since people were cheering during "the big game" at the showing I went to. Lots of the Sandler regulars are MIA, but the guy who looks like col. sanders and cloris leachman who stared with Sandler in Spanglish provide the "random Sandler" humor. Burt Reynolds also appears who was in the original one. It's more a less a throw away role which might disappoint fans of the original.

Sandler's career is certainly at interesting point. Almost as if he is playing the field after getting rave reviews playing parts in deeper films such as Punch Drunk Love and Spanglish. Showing off a better range. Regardless, Sandler is one of the few comic actors that is almost always worth spending your time with.