Happy Gilmore (1996) - Movie Review

Happy Gilmore - Classic Sandler

Rating - 7/10

"Just tap it in."


    Some comedies are just dumb fun, and Happy Gilmore sits comfortably in that category. Adam Sandler’s 1996 golf comedy isn’t a masterpiece, but it knows exactly what it is as a goofy underdog story with enough quotable lines to stick in pop culture forever. It's easy to love and has great characters (except the perpetual self-inserting character that is literally just a Subway ad).

    The plot is simple. Happy Gilmore, a failed hockey player with a wicked slap shot, stumbles into professional golf to save his grandma’s house. What follows is a mix of absurd antics, over-the-top characters, and surprisingly fun sports moments. Sandler’s loud, brash delivery works perfectly for Happy, especially when he’s butting heads with Christopher McDonald’s smug, perfectly punchable villain, Shooter McGavin. Seriously, Shooter is defiantly up there as one of the funniest villains we've ever seen in a movie. And of course we can't forget the always wonderful Carl Weathers as Chubbs, who brings a hilarious drive of comedy of his own to this movie. 

    The humor is a mix of slapstick, one-liners, and pure ridiculousness—sometimes it lands hard, sometimes it feels like filler. The Bob Barker fight scene though, is comedy gold. Too much comedy isn't always the best option with this movie, but it's heart is in the right place, and by the end, you’re genuinely rooting for Happy to sink that final putt.

    Visually, it’s nothing more special than your standard 90s comedy look, but the soundtrack is surprisingly fun and keeps the energy up. And of course there's plenty of plot holes and conveniences that come too easily. It’s not going to win over anyone who doesn’t enjoy Sandler’s style, but for those who do, it’s a nostalgic comfort watch and arguably his best comedy, which to be fair, is a low bar these days.

    In the end, Happy Gilmore isn’t flawless, but it’s endlessly rewatchable. More for the laughs and quotable moments than the filmmaking itself. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you want.

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