Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
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It's quite an ensemble: David Spade, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and, of course, Adam Sandler staring as former basketball teammates who, many years before, delivered a championship season for a beloved coach.
"Grown Ups" introduces us to the boys 30 years after their moment of glory, and each has taken a very different path with varying degrees of personal and financial success. The old team is reunited at the funeral for dear old Coach Buzzer. Sandler's very successful character, Lenny, has arranged for everyone to stay at the lake house where 30 years before they celebrated their victory.
Spouses and children are thrown into this mix. Salma Hayek stars as Roxanne, Lenny's fashion designer wife; the other spouses include Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph and Joyce Van Patten.
David Spade plays Marcus; he's kind of a pathetic solo act. Schneider's character is the running gag in the movie; he's had three failed marriages that produced two gorgeous daughters and one that looks just like him. Plus, his relationship with the much older Van Patten is endless fodder for ridicule.
It's all little reminiscent of "The "Big Chill" -- with sophomoric humor -- as the families open up to each other. During the course of the weekend, members of the losing team of so many years ago, of course, want a rematch. This is where we're introduced to Steve Buscemi.
Like most Sandler films, there's sweetness and good intention in the story, but it's also loaded with tree house-bawdy humor, and so much of the material feels like a retread. I have to admit that some of the slapstick stuff is really entertaining, but overall, this is not one of Sandler's better efforts.
"Grown Ups" is rated PG-13. I'm giving it 2 stars.
