Grown Ups Review (More like a moan about lack of comedy talent if i'm honest!)

Grown Ups

"Oh please stop making me laugh so much"

Well “Grown Ups” will be my second review it’s a pretty recent film which I have seen twice and yet struggle to remember as it’s not the greatest comedy but yet still an enjoyable film.  It is a film in which Adam Sandler has grown up, he plays a more mature role than his earlier films also he reached a new level of boring, although it’s still watchable.

Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade star in this “comedy” as Lenny Feder, Eric Lamonsoff, Kurt McKenzie, Rob Hilliard, and Marcus Higgins respectively.  I think that in regards to the roles they were cast in they could not have been better suited, and the chemistry between the actors was great, why wouldn’t it be as there all real friends?  But they did not look like they where having fun during this film.

The characters reunite after their high school basketball coach passes away for a Fourth of July holiday weekend.  They are all staying together with their families which sets up all of the “funny jokes” for instance Rob has his daughter come along and the dads’ perv on her.  I will admit that I gave the odd giggle throughout but it was a shocking film, I think this is because I am desperate to see more of the old Sandler from The Waterboy, Little Nicky, Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy, The Wedding Singer, etc… when he was genuinely funny. 

Due to the lack of genuine talent in the comedy genre nowadays I will go and watch any Sandler film out, when “Funny People” was released to our cinemas I walked out before the end as I was extremely bored, so I suppose this is an improvement for Sandler.  The last thing I want to see any time soon is Seth Rogan acting dumb and look like a complete prick again!  Steve Carell and Will Ferrell are to be noted as the best comedy actors at the moment with some promising films about to emerge.  I have high hopes for them, I cannot wait!

The height of “laughter” in this film occurs when Rob Schneider’s character “Rob” has his foot pierced with an arrow and is screaming in agony obviously this is surrounded by gaffs. 

I would rate this film a 4/10 as it is still watchable.  I would not bother buying this film though, I would advise waiting until its on TV for you to make a judgement, I know of the odd person who has enjoyed this film but majority do not, and I certainly don’t.  I would recommend this film though especially if you fancy a film of which you can watch while you fall asleep.

The Hangover

Hangover?  It’s Not That Bad!

The Hangover is a wonderful comic masterpiece starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha.

The film follows three groomsmen and their about to be wed friend on a trip to Las Vegas.  The four men are out having a good time in Caesars Palace and we see them downing a drink before we see the aftermath.  It is a storyline with great potential. 

The three groomsmen lose their about to be wed friend on a drunken night out and when they waken the following day they fail to remember what happened the night before, it may sound a bit familiar, minus two people and a wedding and its “Dude Where’s My Car” all over again. 

Zach Galifianakis who plays Alan is without doubt my favourite thing about the film, he portrays Alan so well, his silly antics and stupidity make me laugh just at the thought of him, his lack of hygiene, fashion sense, brains, and his beard builds quite an interesting image.  Alan is a character who would comfortably fit in any comedy film.

I quite like the story of the film, it lets you know from the start that they are trying to find their friend in order to get him home for his wedding so you are interested to watch and see if they find him.  They cannot remember a thing and so are piecing together what they done looking for clues which provides an audience interaction as you wonder where they went from then or what must have happened, and of course each piece along the way has its funny twists and turns which makes for excellent viewing.

I think that had Alan not been in this film that it may not have been as memorable, still funny, but just not memorable.  Each of the characters has funny moments but it is too reliant upon Alan being stupid to create laughter.

If you are looking for a film complicated and not so predictable this isn’t the film for you, but if you are then why consider a comedy?  The simple nature of this film is great, I like it, however, you can predict roughly what is going to happen next, though the odd surprise is in there, and so is a naked Chinese man, if you would believe!

Doug Billings is about to marry his fiancé when he goes on a trip to Vegas with his two pals and his fiancés brother, the three groomsmen.  Stu Price and Phil Wenneck play Doug’s friends and Alan Garner is Doug’s brother-in-law-to-be.  Doug gets lost during the film and is missing for most of it though I feel that Justin Bartha plays the part well and realistically if that is possible in this film.

Stu Price is the dentist and the character who likes to play it safe, safe job, safe relationship, home, he is very mature and Phil, Alan and Doug try to get him to unwind.  Ed Helms plays this part well, he is funny at all the right times and his luck is unfortunate, he becomes wild when drunk and seems to be the wildest drunk.

Phil Wenneck is Doug’s best friend.  When sober this guy seems to be a party dude but on the other hand quite clever.  When drunk he seems to fade and as a character he makes a few laughs but his main role in the film is setting up jokes for other characters.  Bradley Cooper is needed in this film he is a vital part of the quartet, he creates a few laughs and sets up a few, and he also takes the role very seriously.

Alan Garner is Doug’s brother-in-law-to-be and provides a lot of laughs and is vital to this comic masterpiece.  He plays a big part in the story line and is as funny sober as he is drunk.  His utter stupidity provides a lot of laughs; Zach Galifianakis plays this part better than anyone else could, what a memorable performance.

The Hangover is a must see film for any comedy lovers.  It has all the ingredients, a ridiculously stupid looking stupid man, a mature highly reputable man in silly situations, and a groom gone missing.  This film takes the “Dude Where’s My Car” plot to a whole new level with hilarious twists in what is already a funny film this comedy has it all.