A Wooly Bully of a fun sequel.
The 1996 Adam Sandler comedy “Happy Gilmore” has received a cult following with fans enjoying the manic energy and tantrums that the title Sandler character has performed. He was a violent sociopath that most people seem to enjoyed, and I enjoyed him, too. I sometimes watch his outbursts to represent my anger, such as the window scene when I found out there were no critics screenings or screeners for the sequel “Happy Gilmore 2.”
Yes, you read correctly. There is a sequel that’s now streaming on Netflix, and being a fan I had to see it. Is it better than the original? No, because the jokes are over the top with Steve Buscemi as a neighbor peeing in a mailbox or alligators eating the heckler Donald’s son (Eminem). But it is a nice little nostalgic trip with some tickles and some ways to help Happy work out his anger problems. Maybe Roger Ebert would have loved that. Or maybe he would have been glad not to see this. I’m glad I got to see this.
Happy has four boys (Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Ethan Cutkosky, Phillip Fine Schneider, and Connor Sherry), who are more hostile than he is (but are actually able to keep their jobs), and one daughter Vienna (Sandler’s daughter Sunny), who is poised to go to the best dance school in Paris. But the tragic death of his wife Virginia (Julie Bowen) has resorted to Happy to alcoholism and losing his golfing magic. He sneaks alcohol in almost every thing from English cucumbers to iPhones to golf balls. I believe I recall Sandler’s thermos also being a vacuum cleaner in the awful “Huber Halloween,” and that was the only good thing about it. I think he uses these tricks better here.
His latest accident is why he must got to A.A., hosted by Hal L. (Ben Stiller). That’s right. Hal L., the abusive orderly is now hosting A.A. meetings. And yes, that’s also Sandler’s eldest daughter Sadie playing one of the members.
Why must Happy get back on the golf course again? Because he’s trying to save traditional golf from Frank Manatee (Benny Safdie), whose Maxi Energy Drink company is sponsoring Maxi Golf, which is threatening to taint the sport and make it for Generation Z to screw with it.
So, Happy recruits a new caddy-the mistreated busboy Oscar (Bad Bunny)-and even reunites with his old enemy Shooter McGaven (Christopher McDonald). Yes, you read it correctly. Shooter McGavin. You’re also probably thinking: “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.?” I’d say: More like “Ocean’s Thirteen” with the George Clooney and Andy Garcia characters.
We also get a number of cameos like Margaret Qualley, Eric Andre, Jon Lovitz, Rob Schneider, Haley Joel Osment, Post Malone, and Kid Cudi, among others, as well as a number of clips from the original movie. It’s either cameo hunt or a clip show from time to time.
“Happy Gilmore 2” can go all juvenile to try to live up the original’s expectations, and while I admit they can be too cliche, I still say they’re much more appealing than what was presented in “Dumb and Dumber To” a generation ago. It’s better than that sequel, because it understands the appeal of the fans of the 90s comedy hit, and wants to try to have the iconic character grow and develop while keeping his spirits alive. I think that’s what Beavis & Butthead have been trying to do lately.
I still doubt Roger Ebert would have wanted to see this sequel, but my name is Christopher Zweig, and I think Sandler still delivers the golf balls and goofballs.
Now Streaming on Netflix