“Happy Gilmore” is back! After nearly 30 years since the original, one of our favorite Adam Sandler comedies is out with a sequel. It begs the question, though, does it live up to the original masterpiece? Despite delivering laughs and nostalgic callbacks, many viewers are left a little disappointed, saying it struggles to recapture the charm and spark of the original cult-favorite film.
As with many sequels, the success of “Happy Gilmore 2” relies heavily on nostalgia, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing for longtime fans. There’s the return of familiar faces, some great one-liner repeats and enough silly golf meltdowns to feel like the good old times. Sandler fits seamlessly back into the role, and the chemistry with returning castmates takes us back to the first movie.
That nostalgia, which works so well, is also what may be its downfall. When a film relies so much on its predecessor, it doesn’t quite feel like its own story. Instead of building on the narrative, it kind of feels like a brief trip down memory lane. It’s fun to have some callbacks, but when there’s too much it almost underscores what made the first so great – the freshness.
And, it doesn’t help that the comedy comes up short. The original thrived on that sort of chaotic weirdness that made each scene fairly unpredictable. The only thing really carrying the second is when Sandler falls into his unhinged energy. For the most part, however, the jokes feel, well, old. The attempts made to refresh the humor for newer audiences feels forced, almost as if they can’t decide to reinvent or replay.
That being said, it is worth the watch – especially if you’re a fan of the first. The plot is unmemorable, but it gives just enough to string together some good moments. There is a bit of charm in seeing an older Happy in a more polished world. So, you might enjoy it, but it’s unlikely to earn the same timeless rewatch status as the original.
“Happy Gilmore 2” tried to respark the magic, but never quite found its swing. It serves what it intended to – some nostalgia with a few laughs along the way.
