Movie Review: Grown Ups

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Rating: 2/5
Verdict: You'll get a laugh, but little else from this lightweight comedy.

It's testament to the cast of this almost pointless comedy that there are somehow laughs to be had at all. Almost nothing happens in this story co-written by Adam Sandler about five school buddies who reunite at the funeral of their inspirational high school basketball coach, and yet Sandler and his mates attack the script with enthusiasm and ridiculous antics.

Grown Ups isn't raunchy or crass humour, it's just plain juvenile. That's not to say there aren't a few gross jokes, plenty of sexual innuendo and the inappropriate breast feeding of a toddler, but it has a harmless, fun and family tone to it all.

It's a surprisingly good cast for such an average script, and even though you can't imagine this bunch of guys (played by Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider) being friends in real life, their instant rapport with each other is the one thing in this film that works. They are teasing and humiliating out of each other as only best mates can, and against your better judgment, you find yourself becoming slightly fond of them all.

If you want to give this film a rationale it is perhaps the idea it's good for kids to head outside and play, and that parenthood shouldn't rob adults of having some mindless fun. Hopefully, we know that already.

So, that just leaves you looking for a laugh, and you'll probably find one, but be warned it won't be generated by a sophisticated level of wit, but rather meaningless and mindless stunts from a bunch of buddies that wear you down with their determination to make you crack a smile.

Cast: Adam Sandler, Maria Bello, Salma Hayek
Director: Dennis Dugan
Running time: 102 mins
Rating: PG (Contains coarse language)

- TimeOut