Happy Gilmore 2

Happy Gilmore 2 is the sequel to the original 1996 film, starring Adam Sandler. Happy is a golfer driven by his rage, harnessing that to drive the ball further than anyone else. In this film, Happy has a family, including four sons and a daughter. After a tragedy pushed him out of the sport over a decade prior, Happy finds himself needing money to pay for his daughter’s very expensive dance school in Paris. Attending it would mean the world to her and so it means the world to Happy, who for all his oddities, and for someone being fueled, on the course, by anger, is a pretty good guy and dedicated family man.

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Happy’s odyssey back to the top of his profession sees familiar faces from the first film return, as well as many cameos and small parts, from the world of sports and entertainment. Some of these work better than others. The most embarrassing cameo may be Eminem, who plays a heckler toward the end of the film. John Daly, as a fictional version of himself splitting time between Happy’s basement and garage, works far better. There are redemptions for former villains, justice for others and a whole lot of silliness. Some of the humor is crude, and some of it falls a bit flat, but the film has its heart in the right place, even if the route it takes to get there is sometimes less than ideal.

Many comedies have trouble focusing on their theme, or even finding one. This film  seems to be about redemption and commitment. Happy has to do both, but the others must do at least one or the other, be it for positive or negative reasons. It is a film with heart, even if the humor is occasionally a little crude getting there. This is not a Problem Child level film, though, so do not worry that it will be offensive or exceedingly painful. Indeed, it is almost gentle, despite the way the humor occasionally bites.

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Benny Safdie, as a horrible tech and energy drink “bro” trying to ruin traditional golf, makes for an uproariously over the top villain. Indeed, once you see how he triple encrypts access to his office and the secret files beyond, you might begin to think of films such Naked Gun or Austin Powers. The crudeness serves a purpose, by illuminating the ridiculousness of the horrors it presents. This is classic styled comedy in the way it mocks and points to the problems, belittling them without mocking the struggles of others. This is a great improvement over some earlier Sandler films, where that has a been a line that is not just skirted but occasionally crossed.

While this is not going to go down in the annals of film history as a top fifty all time classic, it is nonetheless a charming, good-natured and funny film that makes some points and offers entertainment in ways we often do not get, anymore. There is a level of seriousness and silly here, with the film taking the topic seriously but not itself. Again, a welcome change from earlier comedies in Sandler’s history.

Courtesy Netflix

This is also a film that will have more meaning for those who saw the first film, but is easily understood, followed and appreciated by those who did not. The substitutions for now dead cast members work, aside from the aforementioned Eminem appearance. For a comedy, there is even some visual flair, such as the “battleground golf-course” that serves as the backdrop for the third act of the film, and the villain’s headquarters. As with many comedies, there are a lot of jokes that work and many that do not. Even most of the ones that do not at least try to be entertaining, for which the film will be given credit. If you are even mildly curious about this one, check it out. As was this reviewer, you could be pleasantly surprised.

Happy Gilmore 2 is now streaming on Netflix.