Happy Gilmore is a certified classic, one of the two films that thrust Adam Sandler into the cinematic spotlight and defined the early part of his career. Being a fan of the original, I was rightfully worried when a sequel was announced to be released 29 years after the original. The original is truly lightning in a bottle and replicating that formal is a herculean task. Add to that the fact that Sandler hasn’t had a truly great comedy film in years and my concern was justified.
Sadly, Happy Gilmore 2 was just as bad as I feared, falling victim to all the worst modern day Sandler comedy tropes while barely having any semblance of a story to latch on to. All the charm of the original is squandered almost immediately as the film references the opening of the first. However, in doing so, it does something so mean-spirited that I was immediately taken out of the film. This sets the stage for the movie as when the film proper begins, we find our rough but loveable Happy at his lowest point.
A series of personal losses have left Happy Gilmore a broken man. Having retired from golf, Happy works menial jobs to support his give children and aggressive alcohol problem. On paper, this sounds like the formula for an intense film that encourages us to root for our hero as he picks himself up after falling. Unfortunately, the film wastes all of its emotional potential, choosing to instead focus on nonstop cameos and wacky new characters while referencing every side character and iconic moment from the original.
Perhaps the most egregious flaw is the film’s complete disregard for genuine emotion. While the premise offers ample opportunity for growth, redemption, and even a bit of pathos, the filmmakers opt for surface-level chaos instead. There are glimpses of what could have been—a reunion with old friends, a chance for Happy to confront his demons—but these moments are brushed aside in favor of cheap gags and lazy writing.
It is almost impressive how Sandler slavishly references and acknowledges characters and moments from the original. Yet, these only serve to remind us of how much better a film the first movie was, and everything feels like a cheaper version of what came before. A prime example of this is Lavell Crawford, who plays Slim Peterson, the son of Chubbs Peterson. While I am all for honoring the late Carl Weathers, this character serves no purpose in the film and is just a watered-down version of Chubbs. The film is filled to the brim with wasteful nostalgia that weakens the narrative and offers nothing much in terms of laughter.
If there’s one word that defines Happy Gilmore 2, it’s “uninspired.” The screenplay limps from scene to scene, desperate for laughs but content to recycle old catchphrases and callbacks rather than invest in anything fresh or meaningful. The attempts at humor feel forced, as if simply referencing the past will elicit the warmth and nostalgia that made the first film a cult favorite. Instead, it’s a parade of tired jokes, awkward slapstick, and excessive product placements that do nothing but break immersion.
There are some things to enjoy here as Christopher McDonald is amazing as the returning Shooter McGavin, an absolute scene stealer who is criminally underused in the flurry of one-off camoes and cartoony bad guys. Seeing McDonald whip out the iconic finger guns one more time was electric and it’s clear he has not missed a beat in the decades since Happy Gilmore.
I also really loved the stuff with Happy’s kids. I think Sunny Sandler, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Ethan Cutkosky, Philip Fine Schneider, and Connor Sherry have some great chemistry together and served the film well. They were the only real source of emotional weight as Happy’s return to golf is due to his desire to send his daughter to dance school in Paris. The family works, I just wish we got more of that and less and of everything else.
The surprise breakout star of Happy Gilmore 2 is easily Benito Antonio Martinez Ocascio aka music superstar Bad Bunny. I was a huge fan of Benito’s few appearances on SNL, but this movie cements his comedic talents. His timing is flawless, and he has a natural likeability that endears you to his character. I’m really excited to see him do more comedy in the future.
Ultimately, Happy Gilmore 2 fails not only as a successor to a beloved comedy, but as a standalone film. It’s a hollow imitation, content to coast on the reputation of its predecessor without attempting anything new or worthwhile. Fans deserved better than a soulless retread; all they’re left with is disappointment and the realization that lightning rarely strikes twice.
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