Oh Happy Gilmore, did we really need a sequel? No, we did not because why mess with perfection. I’m not saying the first Happy Gilmore was a perfect movie, but it’s so ridiculously fun to watch that it’s almost perfect especially with Adam Sandler being at the height of his comedic prowess. However 2025 seems to be the year of nostalgic sequels and reboots that are really just unnecessary because it’s too hard to capture lightning in a bottle twice. Sadly that’s the problem with Happy Gilmore 2. Now, let me be clear, I’m not saying it’s a terrible movie, but it’s not the sequel we deserve. In fact after watching it, Adam Sandler could have just left well enough alone and let the first Happy Gilmore be the only movie where he plays one of his best characters. You can’t make a great movie on nostalgia alone. You’ve got to bring something new to the table and while they do try to do that with Happy Gilmore 2, it just plays like a frat boy comedy masquerading as a golf movie. I can watch the first Happy Gilmore over and over, this one I will probably will never watch again. However it’s a very sweet movie in the sense that it’s a good father-daughter movie and considering both his daughters are in the film.
It’s been 30 years since we’ve had Happy Gilmore, he had a successful golf career, accomplished a lot, started a family with Virginia and then lost it all. I’m not going to explain how, you should watch the movie. But he’s a down on his luck golfer who’s sort of given a second chance so he can put his daughter through ballet school. It’s like Rocky coming out of retirement for one last fight that was completely unnecessary. But you got to do what you got to do when it comes to your family and that’s the story of Happy Gilmore 2. There are plenty of funny moments and reminders of the first movie. There are lovable characters and villains who you love to hate, but don’t really quite live up to Shooter McGavin. There’s a lot of funny cameos that will give us a nice laugh. My favorite one is of course, Ben Stiller who’s character is now running AA meetings. Just watch the movie and you’ll get the jokes. But when it comes to all the cameos that make this movie better than it really is, classic golfers like Jack Nicklaus and Fred Couples, and even John Daly who make this movie funnier. In fact, I think I like John Daly’s role more than anyone. He’s actually pretty funny. But the cameos aren’t enough to save this movie. They definitely make it entertaining and that’s what Happy Gilmore 2 has going for it.
The worst thing about this movie is it’s like retelling the same jokes that we already know after having watched the first movie over and over. I like the story about some ridiculous golf league where Happy Gilmore has to restore the honor of classic golf, but it seems too goofy in the end. Then again there are some funny moments that will make you laugh. If I’m being honest, Happy Gilmore as character is a lot funnier when he’s young. Old Happy Gilmore not as funny. I love Adam Sandler and I think he’s a great actor. He’s done some incredible movies especially dramas. I’ve mentioned it before that my favorite movie of his that’s on Netflix is Hustle where he’s the basketball scout because it’s a great heartwarming underdog sports movie and Adam Sandler blends comedy with drama that makes you easily root for his character. At this point Adam Sandler’s career, he is better at drama than trying to do the same comedy he did 30 years ago. I’m not saying that another Grown Ups movie wouldn’t be cool…those are heartwarming movies as well.
Also, I actually really like his movie Pixels with Kevin James because it’s just a goofy gaming movie. But let’s be honest, Happy Gilmore was funny 30 years ago, It’s just not funny, him trying to play the same character as if he hasn’t grown up. It’s a good movie for Netflix and very much reminds me of movies back in the day that went straight to video. They weren’t movies that you would want to spend money on to see in the theater, but they were worth the price of a rental. That’s what Happy Gilmore 2 is as a movie. I saw the original in the theater back when I was in high school, loved it, worth the price of a movie ticket. In fact I probably saw it two or three times in the theater. But the sequel will be very forgettable and didn’t need to be made. It’s a movie relying too much on nostalgia that just doesn’t capture the magic of the first movie. Like athletes who get past their prime, Adam Sandler is way past his prime when it comes to his comedic genius of the 90s. It’s time for him to stick to dramatic roles where he truly shines as an actor. A great example, The movie he did with his daughters, You’re So Not invited to My Bat Mitzvah is the comedic Adam Sandler we need now, not him trying to play Happy Gilmore 30 years later. For what it’s worth, you can skip this movie and just watch the original again… It’s a better use of your time!
