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ABC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Happy Gilmore 2 brings the celeb cameos but pales next to its predecessor
Maybe our heroes do become conservative in their middle age. What: 30 years after up-ending the golf world, a down-on-his-luck Happy Gilmore returns to do battle with an extreme sports league. Starring: Adam Sandler, Benny Safdie, Christopher McDonald, Bad Bunny, Haley Joel Osment, Ben Stiller, Margaret Qualley, Eric Andre, Eminem, Steve Buscemi, Travis Kelce, Julie Bowen. Director: Kyle Newacheck Where: Streaming on Netflix now. Likely to make you feel: Stuck in the rough. Nearly 30 years after Happy Gilmore — the slobs-versus-snobs classic that helped make Adam Sandler a superstar — the angry misfit who once up-ended the golfing world has become part of the establishment, teeing off against the kind of extreme sports league he almost certainly would have embraced in his youth. At 58, Sandler is no longer the scourge of film critics and other humourless bores. In 2025, he's a one-man family franchise, an actor with a string of acclaimed indie film credits, and the recipient of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humour. Perhaps this sequel's strange, vaguely self-hating perspective is to be expected — especially from a performer who built his brand playing "rageaholic" man-children. The Sandman's career tension is one of the few curious ripples in the otherwise uninspired Happy Gilmore 2. It's a breezy and intermittently funny comedy that sticks to the playbook of every decades-later sequel, sending its hero back to zero to lazily rehash the beats of its predecessor. Having won a bunch of championships, fathered five kids and become a pro-sports hall of famer, Happy Gilmore (Sandler) bottoms out after one of his famous power shots accidentally kills his wife, Virginia (Julie Bowen) — a narrative swing (pun intended) that teases out a bit of the cruelly absurdist Sandler of old. He's soon in (and on) the drink, boozing, broke and forced to move into a low-rent house with his teenage daughter (Sunny Sandler), a gifted ballet dancer whose dream of studying in Paris costs the kind of money that — you guessed it — only a professional golf salary and a movie training montage can provide. Meanwhile, startup bro Frank Manatee — played with unsettling facial hair by Benny Safdie, who co-directed Sandler's career-high Uncut Gems — is out to establish the Maxi Golf League, an extreme sports version of the game with gnarly, flame-lit fairways and golf carts that look like monster trucks. As someone with no interest in golf — unless an animatronic monkey is swinging its paw above the hole — I have to say Manatee's plans sound like a pretty entertaining upgrade, tradition be damned. To crush his competition, the upstart entrepreneur has enlisted a bunch of players — including Billy Jenkins, played by Sixth Sense star Haley Joel Osment — and had them surgically modified to out-hit the Happy Gilmore power drive. Oh, and he's also liberated Gilmore's old nemesis — that quintessential 90s movie jerk, Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) — from the psychiatric institution where he's been steaming for the better part of three decades. Director Kyle Newacheck's (Workaholics) undemanding sequel, which Sandler co-wrote with long-time collaborator (and Happy Gilmore screenwriter) Tim Herlihy, is essentially a play-by-play redux of the first film. When it's not invoking earlier jokes or characters, it's dropping in scenes from its predecessor as flashbacks that do the new film's ugly streaming aesthetic no favours. As with most late Sandler joints, it's made with affection, and everyone involved appears to have had a blast. It's an energy that carries the movie for a stretch, delivering a kind of snapshot of middle-aged American male culture at its goofiest and most endearing. With his workout headband and carrot-top curls, Safdie is especially gleeful to watch, while Ben Stiller and his handlebar moustache make a welcome return as the retirement home orderly turned oily, self-help scammer. Testament to Sandler's cultural pull is the cavalcade of cameos, which include Post Malone, Travis Kelce, Eminem, Guy Fieri and a bunch of famous golfers, plus some amusing supporting turns from Bad Bunny, Eric Andre and Margaret Qualley. If you've ever wanted to see Slim Shady tangling with alligators or Kelce facing off with a hungry bear, then this may indeed be the movie for you. The problem, as with most legacy sequels, is that the urge to mine easy nostalgia means the filmmakers fail to find new dimensions in the material. Despite looking right at home in his hockey jersey, sweatpants and Timbalands, Sandler has become a much more interesting performer since those early days — you just have to look at his emotional comedy special from last year, Adam Sandler: Love You (also directed by Benny Safdie), to see a performer in full command of his gift. There's nothing in Happy Gilmore 2 that approaches the scene in the original in which the ice-rink janitor lip-syncs Endless Love while the skaters twirl, a comedy moment so inspired — and so beautiful — that it moves me every time. The sequel does little more than point its audience back to its predecessor, which might be good business for Sandler and his Happy Madison Productions, but won't add up to much more than forgettable afternoon viewing for everyone else. Happy Gilmore 2 is streaming on Netflix now.
Digital Trends
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Happy Gilmore 2 review: A chaotic, nostalgia-fueled sequel
Happy Gilmore 2 Score Details 'The jokes in this film are hit-or-miss, but Happy Gilmore 2 is still Adam Sandler at the top of his game.' Pros A heartfelt story The return of Happy, Shooter, and Hal Some funny new characters Cons Kills off Virginia early Some jokes get old fast 'Why you can trust Digital Trends – We have a 20-year history of testing, reviewing, and rating products, services and apps to help you make a sound buying decision. Find out more about how we test and score products.' Comedy icon Adam Sandler has returned to the putting green with the release of Netflix and director Kyle Newacheck's new film, Happy Gilmore 2. Set almost 30 years after the original movie, Happy Gilmore 2 follows the titular character as he comes out of retirement from professional golf to compete for a prize that will help pay for his daughter's (Sunny Sandler) ballet school. Recommended Videos Like traditional Adam Sandler movies, Happy Gilmore 2 unleashes a wacky, vulgar comedy extravaganza that aims to entertain. While it certainly isn't pitch perfect, Happy Gilmore 2 presents a decent sequel that puts a new spin on the original film's formula. At the same time, it plays it safe by featuring plenty of comedic callbacks to the first film while bringing back plenty of fan favorite characters, both in the flesh and in spirit. The more things change, the more they stay the same Fair warning: this long-awaited film may disappoint in its first few minutes with the sudden death of Julie Bowen's beloved character, Virginia. Audiences today aren't as fond of the films 'fridging' female characters as they were in the '90s. Happy Gilmore has invoked this kind of dark humor many times before with accidental deaths. In this case, Viriginia's death seems a step too far, even with her subsequent appearances in the hero's 'Happy Place.' Nevertheless, Virginia's shocking death paves the way for a poignant tale of Happy struggling to cope with his resulting guilt and alcoholism and provide for his children as a single father. This harkens back to how Happy cared for his grandmother in the first film. However, the sequel also reverses this dynamic as the middle-aged Happy needs to be cared for as well. All in all, Happy Gilmore 2 is a story about a grown-ish man coping with change, having seen so many people in his life die. This battle against change can be seen on the golf course, as Manatee threatens the sport Happy loves by starting American Ninja Warrior-style league catered to the new generation. Wacky characters old and new After all this time, Sandler proves he hasn't lost his comedic edge with his portrayal of Happy Gilmore. The character's still the same angry man-child he was in the first film. Despite that, Happy displays enough heart and maturity now that he is a middle-aged father. This movie capitalizes on the nostalgia factor by featuring several returning characters. Shooter McGavin (Christopher MacDonald) proves he's as wicked and hilarious as ever. However, his joining forces with Happy to take down the Maxi league presents an intriguing new dynamic that keeps the story fresh. On the other hand, Hal L. (Ben Stiller) is still up to his under-handed schemes as a support group leader, showing how some things never changes, even after 30 years. While there are plenty of beloved returning characters, the film delivers plenty of terriffic newcomers. It's clear actor Benny Safdie had a blast portraying the film's heinous and comical new villain, Frank Manatee. Bad Bunny holds up quite well playing Happy's new caddy, Oscar. Though many new characters like Slim Peterson (Lavell Crawford) and Drago Larson try to replicate characters whose actors have passed on, they still bring enough laughs. Cheap thrills, for better or worse Happy Gilmore 2 generates some decent laughs with its brand of slapstick comedy and toilet humor. There's more than enough of it to go around in this film, as the protagonist now raises four young Happy Gilmores who moon people and make phallus jokes whenever they can. However, the many scenes of characters receiving golf balls to the crotch and Happy sneaking drinks from hidden flasks can get old fast. Though Happy is up to his childish antics on the golf course again, the film makes a mature but questionable choice of having him try to control his comedic anger. It all pays off in the movie's over-the-top climax, which shows Happy unleashing the beast as he and his team play on Manatee's extreme golf course. Is Happy Gilmore 2 worth a watch? Happy Gilmore 2 is what you'd expect from an Adam Sandler movie, but overall, that's a good thing. The humor in this film is hit-or-miss, with the franchise showing that it has some of its fire after all these years. Fortunately, the movie brings plenty of heart with Happy's cartoonish journey back from the brink with his new family. This sequel is no hole-in-one, and it may not satisfy everyone, but it is still an entertaining sports comedy. Happy Gilmore 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Happy Gilmore 2: From Budget To Adam Sandler's Fee, All About Netflix Movie
Last Updated: Adam Sandler returns to play the lead in the sports comedy Happy Gilmore 2. Adam Sandler returns as the lead character in Netflix's sports comedy, Happy Gilmore 2. Directed by Kyle Newacheck, it is the sequel to the 1996 film starring the 58-year-old in the titular role. Following the success of the original movie in amassing a cult following, Happy Gilmore 2 was released on the streaming giant on July 25. But do you know about the movie's budget and the actor's fees? Happy Gilmore 2's budget Keeping its originality intact, the recently released sports comedy focuses on Gilmore's comeback to golfing. It came after he understood the need to support his daughter who desires to join a fancy dance class. Shot mostly in New Jersey, Happy Gilmore 2 was made on a budget of $30 million, as per IMDb, which is approximately Rs 260.4 crore. The 1996 movie cost just about $12 million (approximately Rs 104.17 crore). The first film was a massive success, with a staggering worldwide collection of $42 million (approximately Rs 364.60 crore). And now the responsibility has come to the second version of the movie, which so far has been receiving positive reviews from fans and movie buffs alike. From Adam Sandler's comedic golfing adventures, celebrity cameos, and the entire grandeur of the movie have become a point of liking for the audience. Watch the movie's exciting trailer here: Adam Sandler's fees for both instalments of Happy Gilmore Adam Sandler charged just $2 million (approximately Rs 17.36 crore) back in 1996. The seven-time Primetime Emmy Award winner has signed an agreement with Netflix, worth $275 million (approximately Rs 2,387.28 crore), reported by Hindustan Times. He agreed to the deal with the streaming giant initially in 2020 for four films worth $250 million (approximately Rs 2,170.25 crore), which was later extended to another four films for a sum of $275 million (approximately Rs 2,387.28 crore). So far, he has appeared in Murder Mystery, Leo, Hubie Halloween, Hustle, The Do-Over, The Ridiculous 6, You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah for Netflix. About Happy Gilmore 2 Written by Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler, Happy Gilmore 2 stars Sandler alongside Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Ben Stiller, and Dennis Dugan in their original roles. Benny Safdie and Bad Bunny joined as new cast members. The second version of the movie kept its roots in the original film's plot. And its filming took place in New Jersey from September to December of 2024. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Happy Gilmore 2' Review: Back on the Green
You might have to strain to remember, but there was once a time before Adam Sandler was one of comedy's premier movie stars. Before he was ever a wedding singer or a waterboy, a grown-up or a big daddy, he was Happy Gilmore, the slapshot-happy golfer that launched him into bankable movie stardom. It only feels right that this Sandler creation would be the one to do so — it's not only arguably his most enduring character, but also the one that carved the specific archetype that he'd embody over and over in the years since: a lovable, palpably decent common man, whose soft heart is always just barely concealing a cartoonish rage waiting to boil over. Directed by Kyle Newacheck, 'Happy Gilmore 2' is keenly aware of not just the success of but the nostalgia for that early Sandler buffoon, so much so that rather than make sly inside jokes to the original film, it repeatedly opts to simply cut to flashback clips from the movie itself. This approach is partly practical, tossing us reference points to the sequel's many callbacks. But one can't also help but feel that it's simply because we need the reminder of why we should be having a good time. Billions of box office dollars later and a comedic style we've now seen in dozens of his films, Sandler isn't exactly that fresh-faced star anymore. Neither is Happy. The sequel sees Happy Gilmore as a retired golf champion who, following sudden tragedy, has become a hopeless drunk. To secure a better future for his family, he reluctantly decides to get back on the green to reclaim his old glory. This early downward spiral sets up the underdog comedic energy from the original, and there is that familiar, warm absurdism and silliness that peeks through. Ben Stiller is back, and so is Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald is a rare highlight). But the early and largely easy fun begins to curdle into inanity that simply drags (there is, oddly enough, way too much actual golf in this movie), before devolving into an overextended fever dream of celebrity cameos. What the film becomes offers a succinct view of who Sandler was in 1996 and who he is nearly three decades of superstardom later. In the original, a fist fighting Bob Barker cameo was one of the hilarious, gloriously outré highlights; in this one, Bad Bunny starring as Happy's caddy is probably the most grounded feature in the whole affair. Now, Sandler's cachet has simply meant he's brought everyone along for the ride, from every tier of celebrity you can imagine to other non-Happy characters pulled from the Sandler cinematic universe. In a broader sense, 'Happy Gilmore 2' simply falls prey to the most common issue of so many sequels: upping the stakes, overstuffing itself and losing the plot along the way. In this one, Happy is no longer playing to keep his grandma's house, he's playing to save the sport of golf entirely. Backed by a halitosis-cursed villain, a new version of the sport is trying to establish itself, sullying the original game with what amounts to cheap twists and flashing lights. Sound familiar? Happy Gilmore 2PG-13 for strong language, crude/sexual material, partial nudity and some thematic material. Running time: 1 hour 54 minutes. Watch on Netflix.
Digital Trends
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Happy Gilmore 2 director reveals the Adam Sandler moment that gave him chills
How many fictional characters have had more of an impact on a sport than Happy Gilmore? Before the Adam Sandler comedy, golf was viewed as a luxury sport reserved for the wealthy and entitled. The game's slow pace, strict etiquette, and expensive fees gave golf the reputation of a rich man's game. Look how golf has changed in the 30 years since Happy Gilmore, from relaxed wardrobes and affordable courses to increased marketing and inclusive encouragement. Unfortunately, Timberland boots on the course never caught on. Nearly 30 years after the original, Sandler dons his favorite Bruins jersey and heads to the golf course in Happy Gilmore 2. In the sequel, Happy lost most of the joy in his life, especially in the game that saved him. When his young daughter needs money to attend an illustrious dance school, Happy grabs his clubs and returns to the sport he once loved, though things have changed in his absence. Recommended Videos Ahead, director Kyle Newacheck explains the moment on set when Sandler's performance gave him chills. The Workaholics co-creator also reveals what it was like to direct professional golfers and the athlete who surprised him the most on set. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Digital Trends: You directed Happy Gilmore 2. Adam calls you up and says, 'Kyle, I want you to direct another sequel to one of my movies, and I'm going to let you pick.' What are you taking, and why? Kyle Newacheck: Little Nicky. Why's that? I don't know. I think it'd be fun. I think it would be wild. I think right now, you could make a wild version of Little Nicky. That is definitely a good one. I like the idea of something that maybe wasn't as critically or commercially successful and getting to go back into that and re-explore stuff. I do, too. I think going into the little niche hallways of the Sandler-verse would be really fun. I was reading an interview you did about this movie. You said that Happy brings people together, and that's clearly a direct result of Adam. You've directed him in two movies. What makes Adam so undeniable as an actor? He cares about people. He puts everybody else around him first. He cares about how they feel. He is a selfless individual. He knows how to make people laugh. He just knows. It just comes out of him. You're not going to sit next to Sandler for longer than three minutes before something is going to make you just laugh your ass off. That's him. I do think he is connected with the culture in a way … he just cares about it. When was the first time you met him [Sandler]? Take me through that interaction. What was it like? Oh my gosh. The first time I met Sandler must have been at the office when I was prepping Murder Mystery. I remember. He comes in, and he's like, 'Hey, how you doing?' I'm like, 'What's up?' He's like, 'You're Kyle? You're big. You've got wide shoulders. You play sports?' So immediately, it goes to the coach and the team and how that works. Noticing you and figuring out where you go [laughs] and all that in this … I've hung out with him so much since. Every time, it's just fun. It's fun. Ever get him on the pickleball court? I keep telling him, dude. I keep telling him. He's worried he's going to hurt himself. The guy's playing basketball all the time. That's what I say. I say I think this is a little bit lighter than basketball, dude. But truth be told, I'm pretty deep in pickleball, and it's a brutal sport when you get into it. I believe you. I want to go back to the day on set when Adam steps onto the course in the tournament. He's wearing the Bruins jersey, the sweatpants, and the boots. He performs that iconic swing. What was that day like for you and the entire crew watching Adam transform into this iconic character for the first time in nearly 30 years? I mean, I have, like, probably one-third of the chills on my arm right now that I had when it actually happened because it's magic when you see him put on the Bruins jersey. For me, I had been looking at the Bruins jersey and looking at the character's wardrobe for a little bit. You'll see we try to vary it up a little bit in the movie, which is cool. For me, it was the Timbs [Timberland boots], dude. The Timbs brought it all to life. That was the original character choice of Happy Gilmore that really made it for me. There wasn't a scene that we did where he didn't have the Timbs on. That's the character to me. It's the Timbs. Timbs on the golf course? That's the coolest thing you can do. The hockey jersey — I've seen some people play with hockey [jerseys] nowadays. I've never seen anybody golf in Timbs, even now. And he [Sandler] wears them like a true Timbs wearer. It's not fully tied. He flaps them over a little. Slips 'em on. Slips 'em on. Yeah, dude. There are so many cameos in this movie that I lost track. It's insane, but in a great way, especially with the golfers. There's that scene — a dinner — where it's pretty much all golfers and not a lot of actors. What was it like directing the golfers? Man, that was incredible — incredible! — to have that one scene where you have 10 of the greats, like five of the absolute greats, sitting at a table with Adam Sandler. The energy that came off of it, I could feel it. I could feel it. When we started getting going, those guys came to deliver lines. They did a really good job. They really did. That was incredible. Sir Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, Fred Couples, and then Adam Sandler at one table? Then you got Xander [Schauffele], Ricky [Fowler], Jordan Spieth, Keegan Bradley, Colin Morikawa. Then you got Bad Bunny and Travis Kelce, and this is one room. Crazy. It was one room, and I remember just running around, running around between everybody, saying, like, 'You good? How you feeling? OK, let me hear that. Yeah, good. OK. Cool.' Just moving around and trying to keep the vibe right. Who surprised you the most out of the golfers? Was someone coming up to you like, 'I need notes for this line. I need a lot of direction.' You know who had a natural delivering ability? Jack Nicklaus. Like, he did good. [Laughs] Every time he would give a little shrug, almost like he was on stage. And I'm like, I could see this guy in a sitcom. He was really surprising. I also think I was surprised how much I fell in love with John Daly. Like on a real level. How can you not? I know. I know. I just knew I was gonna really like him. I could just tell when he showed up; his whole being is a beautiful man. Beautiful. Happy Gilmore 2 premieres on Netflix on July 25.
