GROWN UPS Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Adam Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade, Chris Rock
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The movie successfully portrays the dynamic of old friends reverting to childhood behavior.
- ❖Adam Sandler's character, Lenny, avoids repercussions for his frequent lying and slapping throughout the film.
- ❖The hosts appreciated the film's moments of levity and the underlying truths about adult friendships.
- ❖Critiques included the lack of character development for some roles (e.g., Chris Rock's character, Marcus) and the problematic portrayal of some female characters.
- ❖The "arrow roulette" scene was highlighted as particularly dangerous and memorable.
Insights
1The Enduring Appeal of 'Stupid Funny' Humor
The hosts found the film's humor, which they described as "stupid funny," to be genuinely entertaining, despite initial skepticism. This suggests a specific type of comedy can still resonate years later.
Ashley explains that "stupid funny" is a compliment, signifying humor that is so absurd it's genuinely amusing, rather than truly unintelligent. Jabby initially dismissed the movie based on commercials but found himself enjoying it. "I love Adam Sandler movies. I thought it was so funny. I think when it came out, I forgot. I think it was like one of those movies like, 'Oh, I'm going to go see that.' And I just never did. So, I just like funny, silly. And like as I when I say stupid, it's just like funny. Like that's a good compliment. Not like I'm stupid, but like this is so stupid. It's like stupid. Not stupid." - Ashley Morgan [] "Yeah, that one that was better than uh I expected it would be off of my judgment of it from the commercials many years ago." - Jabby Koy []
2Authenticity in Adult Friendships and Insecurities
The film effectively captures the complex dynamics of long-standing friendships, including banter, judgment, and underlying insecurities that persist into adulthood.
The hosts discuss how friends, even close ones, might hide aspects of their lives or make fun of each other, reflecting real-world insecurities and the comfort found in old dynamics. Adam Sandler's character, for instance, hides his wealth, while Kevin James's character hides being laid off. "It's this need to like be it's same thing as with Adam Sandler but the other way downplaying the money that he has. It's this interesting like if you if you're such great friends, can't you also be like, 'Yeah, we have a nanny now. We need, you know, just to help with the kids or hey, I lost my job.'" - Ashley Morgan [] "But you know they're friends because they're because of how comfortable they are joshing each other." - Jabby Koy []
3Critique of Underdeveloped Female and Supporting Characters
While enjoying the film, the hosts noted that some characters, particularly the wives and supporting roles like Chris Rock's, felt underdeveloped or were subjected to problematic comedic portrayals.
Ashley wished for more depth for the female characters and felt Chris Rock's character was often emasculated by his wife and mother-in-law, which she found problematic given the racial dynamics. "I wanted more Chris Rock. I he um he he felt very background in the movie." - Ashley Morgan [] "I just didn't like that it was like the black couple." - Ashley Morgan [] "I felt like Yeah. I mean, she also kind of came off a little mean sometimes. That was that was the idea. I know, but like too mean." - Ashley Morgan on Maya Rudolph's character []
Lessons
- Revisit a classic comedy you initially dismissed: Like Jabby, you might find unexpected enjoyment and new perspectives on films you overlooked.
- Reflect on your own friendships: Consider how dynamics, humor, and insecurities from your past manifest in your current adult relationships.
- Engage in media with a critical eye: Pay attention to character development and comedic portrayals, especially for underrepresented groups, to identify areas for improvement in storytelling.
Notable Moments
The hosts' surprise at the young cast's resemblance to their adult counterparts, particularly Adam Sandler and Kevin James.
This initial observation sets the stage for their appreciation of the casting and the film's premise.
The recurring "Coach Buzzer" line and the hosts' anticipation of its use at the funeral.
Highlights a running gag that connects the past and present narratives of the characters.
The "arrow roulette" scene, which they deemed "really, really dangerous" and "stupid."
This scene exemplifies the film's over-the-top, nostalgic, and sometimes reckless humor that resonates with the hosts.
The reveal that Adam Sandler's character faked a rock-skipping injury to extend their stay at the lake house.
This moment demonstrates a character's desire to prolong a cherished experience, even through deception, highlighting the theme of holding onto the past.
The collective peeing in the water park pool scene, which they found "so embarrassing."
A peak moment of the film's crude humor and the characters' regression to childish behavior, eliciting strong reactions from the hosts.
The final basketball game where Lenny intentionally misses the shot to let Dicky Bailey win, showing a moment of maturity.
This scene provides a rare moment of character growth and selflessness, contrasting with much of the film's earlier antics.
Quotes
"I have no idea what we're in for other than there's like a vacation or something in the movie."
"It's interesting cuz like you so much judgment I guess when you get older that you don't have on your kids."
"I don't make jokes at funerals cuz it's disrespectful. But if that's part of your healing process, I'm cool with it."
"First act always exciting. The second act, that's where the depth comes in."
"I love Adam Sandler movies. I thought it was so funny."
"But you know they're friends because they're because of how comfortable they are joshing each other."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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