Many Viewings Are Required!

Rating: 6/10 (18 July 2016)

Ever since he was a young boy, Adam Sandler wanted to be a hockey player. His hot temper and uncontrollable rages fit the sport, but then he is taken off the team. When the IRS takes his grandmother's (actress Frances Bay) house for back taxes, he vows to make enough money to buy it back. Ultimately, he takes up golf to win the tournament money. But golfer and rival Christopher McDonald has something to say about that. (Christopher plays his role memorably and mercilessly well.) For some reason, I had been avoiding Adam Sandler movies like the plague, since most of his humor is usually childish, infantile, dumb, silly, etc. I must have seen something years ago to have come to this conclusion, But recently I decided to watch a few. After finding out that this movie and "Billy Madison" were his best, I saw them. I think most people would agree that the highlight of this film is Bob Barker and him duking it out on the golf course. But parts of this seemed too silly and/or dumb, like him trying constantly to shake Carl Weathers' wooden hand. My main criticism of this film is that most of its one-liners, jokes, or scenarios fall flat resulting in little to no reaction other than shock, which gets in the way of enjoying the film, along with his almost-hostile disposition due to his love of hockey. But he does agree to cool it down and act more professional. A lot of people would say to take "Happy Gilmore" for what it is, not to think about it too much and not take it so seriously and just enjoy yourself and let it come over you, the whole experience. A second viewing is needed for this experiment! Oh, boy!