Review of Billy Madison (1995) by Steve A — 09 Aug 2012

Principal: Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Billy Madison: Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.

Even Sandler himself has admited that this and Happy Gilmore are his best comedies. Let's face it, if it weren't for the performances and the bizarre humor this would be a complete flop. What I like about this movie is how hilarious it is because of it's complete cartoonish absurtity.

Billy Madison: I swear to God I'm sick. I can't go to school.

Juanita: If you're gonna stay home today, you can help me shave my armpits.

Billy Madison: Oh my God. I'll go to school.

The story here is about Billy Madison, a lazy childish 30 year old who spends his days suntanning, getting drunk with his friends, and chasing giant penguins at his rich father's mansion. Billy is to take over his father's buissness but now his father Brian Madison is starting to realize how much he failed at raising Billy. Therefore he now wishes to hand the company over to one of his business asscociates Eric, who is of course evil behind everyone's back and has no buissness ethics. Desperately wanting the job, Billy then comes up with the idea to repeat grades 1-12 for two weeks each BY HIMSELF. And if he graduates by a certain date he will get the company. As you can see, the plot here is fairly terrible. But that only calls for some good old fashioned young-Sandler humor.

Brian Madison: You're on. Carl, you make the arrangements. You pass every grade before June 15, and you take over instead of Eric. Have a nice weekend, son. You start school... on Monday.

Now that I think about it, this story is pretty damn predictable. The sight gags however, are the complete opposite of that. Everything that is said or done in this movie is completely memorable and just really hilarious. At least for me, if you can't stand it when Adam Sandler yells in jibberish you might want to pass on this one.

The movie contains a bit of a heart too. It is nice to see Billy interact with the third graders who become his friends, along with countless other characters, all played out in the most hilarious of ways.

Kid: Mortal Combat, on Sega Genesis, is the best video game ever.

Billy Madison: I disagree. It's a very good game, but I think Donkey Kong is the best game ever.

Kid: Donkey Kong sucks!

Billy Madison: You know something? You SUCK!