Fans of Adam Sandler should enjoy this comedy but it has extra points for casting Burt Reynolds from the original 1974 film in a different role in this enjoyable remake.

Rating: 8/10 (25 October 2005)

Former NFL Quarterback Paul "Wrecking" Crewe (Adam Sandler) gets thrown in a maximum security prison in Texas, after stealing his girlfriend's car (Courtney Cox Arquette). Crewe also was drinking and speeding, while driving. The warden (James Cromwell) wants Crewe to put together a team of amateur players in Crewe's new team. But the warden wants a fixed game against the brutal prison guards. What the warden doesn't know that Crewe find himself a tough but good hearted coach (Burt Reynolds). Between Crewe and his coach created an superb team of football players that have a fighting chance to beat the warden's football team and respect towards the inmates, who are playing against the warden and his team.
Directed by Peter Segal (Naked Gun 33 1/3:The Final Insult, The Nutty Professor 2:The Klumps, Anger Management) made an enjoyable comedy with an terrific cast and it's also fairly faithful to the original 1974 film. Reynolds, who appears in the lead role in the original film and now appears in a good supporting role. Chris Rock appears in one of his better roles. Which the film also stars:Nelly (a.k.a.-Cornell Hayner Jr.), William Fichtner, Bill Goldberg, Steve Austin, David Patrick Kelly, Terry Crews, Nicholas Turturro and more. This film does have heart and some genuine funny moments. The film is occasionally mean spirited and crude at time but it is always entertaining.
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has three featurettes, Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by the director, outtakes and more. Fans of the original film will find something extra in Reynolds' performance and an cameo by Ed Lauter (Who played an sadistic prison guard in the original movie). Fans of the original might find this updated remake enjoyable. Screenplay by Shelton Turner (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre:The Origin, Shakes on a Plane, The Breathtaker). Based on a original screenplay by Tracy Keenan Wyan and from a story by Oscar-Winner:Albert S. Ruddy. Which Ruddy and Sandler are also the film's executive producers. Panavision. (****/*****).