This was the film that started it all for me. It was the first comedy to have me laughing so hard that I fell out of my seat. Granted, I was thirteen at the time, but I had never experienced anything so zany and unpredictably hilarious. Adam Sandler’s film career also took off after this irreverent classic. From bizarre musical sequences to drunken behavior and a number of SNL cast member cameos, Billy Madison is a film to be remembered, and now it can be remembered in high definition as well.
Adam Sandler stars as the title character, the drunken 27-year-old son of a wealthy businessman. Rather than attempting to learn his father’s business, Billy spends his days drinking poolside with his friends. He still acts like he is in high school, which is ironic considering he only graduated from high school because his father bribed his school. In order to prove to his father that he can run the business, Billy goes back to school to finish all twelve grades in 24 weeks.
The Blu-ray includes all of the special features from past DVD editions, including over twenty-five minutes of hilarious deleted scenes, and even more hilarious outtakes. There is also a commentary track with director Tamra Davis. These are not new perks, and the high definition is not absolutely necessary, but I suggest everyone own a copy of this film, regardless of definition.
Happy Gilmore was Adam Sandler’s follow-up to the successful cult comedy Billy Madison. Sharing the same irreverent and more than occasionally crude sense of humor, Happy Gilmore is a guaranteed good time for fans of Billy Madison. Sandler does what he knows best, co-writing the screenplay to suit his comedic sensibilities, and providing endless entertainment even 15 years later.
Sandler stars as the title character, a hockey player with poor skating abilities and an angry temper. He is the best shooter around, but his violent tendency to fight and an inability to keep up on the ice destroys his dreams of playing hockey professionally. When he discovers that the same skill of shooting in hockey can be applied to the game of golf, Happy Gilmore becomes an unlikely star in the sport.
With the help of a retired golfer (Carl Weathers) and a hot publicist girlfriend (Julie Bowen), Happy decides to learn the game so that he can save his grandmother from retirement home hell. Ben Stiller gives a memorable cameo as the director of the home. There are many other great appearances, including Bob Barker who plays himself.
The Blu-ray includes a high definition presentation of the film, but there are no new special features. The features are taken from previously released DVD, though they are all rather humorous. There are deleted scenes and outtakes.
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