Review of The Do-Over (2016) by Thequietgamer — 26 May 2016

One of those rare R-rated Sandler outings. There are some typical Sandler gags here that will still elicit laughs from his fans. Despite the added F-bombs and raunchiness, this isn't anything too far out of the Happy Madison wheelhouse. Good news for fans, bad news for just about everyone else.

It's no secret that Sandler movies have definitely begun to resonate just as well with audiences as they always have with critics. This one isn't going to change any of that. What works with it is that it isn't quite as lazy as some of Happy Madison's latest efforts. For starters Sandler actually seems to be having some fun here. It's clear that in some of his more recent efforts he is unmotivated and just there for the money. Here we get some life from him which is good.

The problems with the movie lie in two areas. Three if you aren't the type who enjoys the sense of humor Sandler movies contain. The first is that it occasionally goes overboard with the freedom R-rated movies allow for. It never quite reaches the level of nastiness That's My Boy achieved, but there are still moments completely out of good taste. So much so that it gets in the way of the humor.

The other issue is that there's quite a bit of misogyny on display. The movie either treats women like objects. When they aren't meant to be screwed by the characters, they're meant to stab them in the back. Its shallow and another big flaw with the Sandler style.

So is the movie garbage? Technically. But it's the type of garbage that can still brings laughs. It's a Sandler movie. Not his brightest moment, but it will still please fans. Some extra added effort some Sandler, David Spade sharing the spotlight, and a so-so attempt at a more action-comedy plot do help it stand out from the rest of Sandler's offerings. It's not high art, but it's still pretty funny.