Grown Ups 2

Whenever I need to review a sequel for which I haven't seen the previous installment, I seek out and watch the earlier movie too.  As of a week ago, I had not seen Grown Ups.  I found a copy and watched it, then the next day watched Grown Ups 2.  As a result, I spent most of my free time on the phone with a suicide prevention hotline and almost didn't get this review written.

 

Both the Grown Ups movies are about a group of guys who are terrible human beings and grotesquely awful parents.  They never become better people nor do they become better parents.  They just try to relive their childhoods.  Eventually, their selfish, immature behavior is justified and the movie ends with these jerks feeling that they can be even more terrible in the future.

 

I can say that Grown Ups 2 is a better movie than Grown Ups.  I did not laugh once during the first movie, but I distinctly remember that I did chuckle once during the sequel.  I can't remember what I chuckled at, but it did happen.

 

The problem is that there are no jokes in these movies.  They are just a montage of "funny things."  And by "funny things," I mean bodily functions, people being hit in the balls, random "comedic" violence, and racism/homophobia.  It's appalling what they package as comedy, especially the hatred.  These movies base a lot of the "comedy" on making fun of people who are different.  The main characters are so awful to other people that the characters that are intended to be the villains come off as sympathetic.  Sandler and crew are just bullies all while complaining about being bullied.  Eventually, the bullies cave and tell Sandler and his friends how awesome they are.  Then Sandler and his friends make fun of the defeated bullies.  It's baffling.

 

Grown Ups 2 is a mean-spirited, laugh-less movie.  I cannot recommend enough that you DO NOT watch it.  But I know that my sage advice will go unheard.  Grown Ups 2 made even more money than the first, so Adam Sandler is planning to release another installment in 2015.  It's a strange feeling to know that I have less than two years to live...

 

2.5 out of 10