Nice little moral lesson

Rating: 7/10 (27 September 2006)

What starts out as a basic, yet toned down, goofy, predictable comedy evolves into a nice and touching story about family and life. Adam Sandler earns himself some more plus points to make up for movies like "The Longest Yard" and the distressingly un-funny movies of his acting dawn.
With a nice supporting cast, Kate Beckinsale, Sean Astin, David Hasselhoff, it's easy to predict the movie will be friendly and cheery and a bit funny. Thanks to adding Christopher Walken to the mix, things get funnier and at the same time a bit darker, like adding contrast to a digital photo.
Walken's role is cool, he talks and walks cool, and he squeezes in a little dance scene(check!). He's a nice counterweight for all the cheery, wholesome characters. Thanks to the script, the story never get's too sentimental and never to cutesy. It keeps it at a good level over-all.
So when the movie is over, you feel good. That's the point, it's a feel-good movie. And of all the feel-good movies out there, this one doesn't patronize it's audience. Thumbs up for that. There are still some bits with childish and low humour, but one gets the feeling Sandler is getting too old for it and that he's in a transitional state. Most of it is funny anyway so why complain.
DON'T believe the trailer. This movie is much better than that.
7/10