Final Grade: A++ (Nostalgia Bonus Applied)
Let’s get this out of the way: Happy Gilmore 2 isn’t an Oscar contender. It’s not reinventing comedy or changing the way we look at cinema. But none of that matters… because it’s just so much fun.
For those of us who were coming of age when the original Happy Gilmore hit theaters in 1996, this sequel feels like a warm hug from an old friend who still remembers how to make you laugh until your stomach hurts. From the moment the title sequence rolls, the nostalgia kicks in, and before you know it, you’re grinning ear to ear.
Adam Sandler is living the dream, and honestly, it shows. He’s making movies with his wife, kids, longtime friends, and a laundry list of celebrities who clearly just want to have a good time. You get the sense that this movie wasn’t made to chase awards. Instead, it was made because it was fun to make. And that vibe pours off the screen in the best way possible.
One of the joys of Happy Gilmore 2 is the sheer volume of cameos. It’s almost as entertaining to scroll through the IMDb cast list afterward as it is watching the film itself. I swear I missed at least half a dozen familiar faces on first viewing. The best surprise cameo? Without spoiling anything, for me it was Donald Jr. as he steals the moment in the most unexpected way. And while we’re at it, where was Vanilla Ice? A missed opportunity if there ever was one.
The film takes its time setting up, and I’ll admit, the first 20 minutes had me a little concerned. It felt a bit sluggish, like a party that hasn’t quite found its rhythm. But once the competition storyline kicks in, it finds its groove fast. It even had shades of Dodgeball … that over-the-top sports chaos with just enough heart to keep you rooting for every ridiculous moment.
One of the smartest choices the film made was giving the golfers actual personalities. It would’ve been easy to turn them into one-dimensional caricatures, but instead, they added flavor and life to what could’ve been a bland supporting cast. Shoutout to MJF, a newcomer who stole every scene he was in and I’d love to see him pop up in more comedies.
The callbacks to the original film hit all the right notes. And for characters who are no longer with us in real life, the way they were honored in the film was surprisingly thoughtful and touching. That’s what elevated this from just a goofy sequel to something that genuinely tugged at the heartstrings.
So, is Happy Gilmore 2 really an A++ movie? Objectively, no. But sometimes, the feeling a movie gives you is worth more than any critic’s score. This one made me laugh, reminisce, and feel good for a solid 90 minutes and that’s more than enough to earn a top grade in my book.
If you’re a fan of the original, you’ll love it. If you weren’t around for the first one, this might not hit quite the same. But either way, it’s worth a watch. Just don’t forget to stay through the credits… you never know who might show up.
P.S. – Netflix is on pace to become a worldwide juggernaut in the entertainment industry. There might be some hiccups in some of its choices, but the groundwork is there for global domination. (That might make for a late night, haven’t slept much over the course of the week post.)
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