Adam Sandler makes movies as an excuse to hang out with friends and family and fans will be happy seeing Happy back to his career defining character 20 years after that first film. It’s a family affair for the Sandlers with Happy Gilmore (Adam), Monica (Jackie), Vienna ( Sunny), Charlotte (Sadie), even Drago’s Mom (Judith). And watch for all the references, characters, lines and more that pop in here from the original film.
This film is a series of bits written by Tim Herlihy and Sandler (who both scripted the original) to incorporate a huge cast of family members, mainly golf but also sports and broadcast icons as Happy tries to regain the talents that made him famous.
Director Kyle Newacheck does what he can put all the personalities Sandler cast in throughout this film as Happy keeps having to overcome obstacles. Hal L. (Ben Stiller) is the AA leader who tries to undermine him at every turn is back. Stiller is full of schtick in his role pushing Happy trying, constantly, to undermine him. It’s mean but funny, carrying through from the first film. Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) who was driven over-the-edge in the first film, has to get out of the Mental Hospital so he can drive Happy crazy again. Or will he?
In this, Happy is down and out, still grieving for accidentally killing his wife Virginia, (Julie Bowen) with a tee shot. He imagines her still with him. His mode of escape is continually drinking to numb his guilt. Now, a stock boy at a local grocery, if anyone tries to talk golf, he steers clear of them and the subject. But when his talented ballet phenom of a daughter has a once-in-a lifetime chance to study in Paris costing many hundreds of thousands of dollars, there’s only one way Happy can make that much money. He has to go back and play the game that made him famous.. The only way he can make that kind of money is to go back and play the game that made him famous. What’s a Dad to do?
Happy’s given a huge offer by Frank Manatee (Benny Safdie), new owner of a new league called Maxi Golf, who wants to turn the game into viral clown show with stupid stunts. He is also the CEO of an energy drink company. Having already won the Gold Jacket many times becoming a legend winning the Tour Championship he’s eligible, but struggles with signing up to help his daughter, Vienna, (Sunny Sandler) make her dream come true. Happy wants no part of Manatee, or the tour, because he has too much respect for the game. But this tournament will tell if traditional vs. Maxi Golf will survive. He signs up paired with Billy Jenkins (Haley Joel Osment), an average golfer Manatee has helped get surgically enhanced to be a supercharged golf opponent.
Happy’s wild and crazy sons Gordie (Maxwell Friedman, Bobby ((Philip Schneider), Wayne (Ethan Cutkosky), Terry (Connor Sherry), are all named after star hockey icons Happy looked up to when his dream was to play for the Bruins. His boys push hard for their Dad to get back in the game.
The unexpected standout in this tale is Latin music idol, Bad Bunny as Happy’s caddy. It’s surprising to see him as Oscar (Bunny’s real name – Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio). We first see him as a timid waiter in the Golf club restaurant being pushed around by a loud, over-the-top Travis Kelce. Happy took pity on Oscar and commandeered the bashful waiter to be his caddy, which the Latin celebrity pulls it off beautifully. Who knew he could act!
Sandler piles high the list of celebrities in different realms who pop up throughout the tournament. Some you’ll recognize include, Jack Nicklaus, John Daly, Lee Trevino, Jordan Spieth, Rory Mallory. But there’s a huge list that play ”himself.” Scottie Scheffler has a significant role on the fairway. Other famous faces that pop up are Guy Fiery, Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, even Margaret Qualley.
Adam Sandler makes this his own kind of movie. He’s capable of so much more (Uncut Gems, Hustle). At 2 hours, it’s a long drive with some LOL moments, but too many characters. If you’re a fan and/or like this brand of crass madcap humor, take a swing.
Netflix 1 hour 54 minutes PG-13
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