Another inane Adam Sandler comedy? Maybe not..

Rating: 7/10 (27 June 2006)

I will admit this  I Don't like Adam Sandler. I Just do not find him funny, maybe it is the style of comedy that he does but the only comedy of his that I have enjoyed is Happy Gilmore. The only other exception being Punch Drunk Love, an indie drama that he was great in.
So it was with a wee bit of trepidation that I went into the film. I can happily say that Click far exceeded my (low) expectations and I was actually rather taken by it. I certainly doubted I would be enjoying another Adam Sandler comedy that's for sure.
The basic premise behind the movie is an interesting, if unoriginal one. Tired of having too little time and never getting a lucky break, Michael Newman (Sandler) cracks and goes in search for a universal remote to just make life that little bit easier. Up pops Christopher Walken in a nice bit part and answers his prayers. Little does Michael know that this remote literally is universal. Imagine the possibilities, its almost like playing God.
This is where we hit a problem haven't we seen this all before only a few years ago in the form of Bruce Almighty? Granted, there may be a few differences but the premise, character arc and moral of the story are the same. Michael at first abuses this wonder gadget and on the surface it makes all his dreams come true. But at what cost? What do we lose by fast forwarding through life, missing all of its eccentricities and peculiarities? I don't need to tell you how the film ends, we already know what will happen as we watch the movie  it is a Hollywood film after all. Nevertheless, even though I knew where it was going I was still moved by it.
Click has a surprisingly tender core and is actually more of a drama than a comedy, perhaps one of the reasons it appealed to me. It is by no means an out and out comedy, which is my impression of Sandler's standard fare. The dramatic elements of the story are a bit hit and miss but when I found myself getting emotional towards the final act  in an Adam Sandler movie of all things  well I have to concede it must be working on at least some level.
Other plus points come in the form of the beautiful, gorgeous, ravishing Kate Beckinsale. It's amazing, she actually looks hotter the more the make-up crew aged her. Seriously, those Grey tints are smoking hot! Don't believe me? Try argue against it after having seen the film. Seriously, hot. I was also very surprised and very happy when James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars films) popped up with a voice over cameo, excellently integrated into the 'commentary' function of the universal remote  absolute quality.
Would I recommend it? Grudgingly, yes. It's by no means perfect but you could do a lot worse with your money.
Final Verdict: 7/10 Fans of Bruce Almighty, Adam Sandler movies, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken and playing god should really enjoy it. People like me, who despise everything the Adam Sandler comedy represents, might do well to check it out also. I am not saying you will love it, but you might be surprised.