Limacher Low Down: Grown Ups on the surface seemed like it might be a sophomoric comedy that you would expect from this cast of merry-men – and it was! It was evident throughout that all of the stars were genuinely having fun, and it made the movie that much more enjoyable.
Grown Ups is about the reunion of five friends who grew up in the same small town. Lenny Feder (Adam Sandler) is married and successful with a beautiful wife, Roxanne (Salma Hayek) and has three kids who have been pampered their whole lives. Eric Lamonsoff (Kevin James) is a good family man who really cares about his family and it shows. Kurt McKenzie (Chris Rock) is a stay at home husband and father while his wife, Deanne (Maya Rudolph) works and supports her family – including her mother Mama Ronzoni (Ebony Jo-Ann) who loves to make fun of her son-in-law. Marcus Higgins (David Spade) is the ladies man and womanizer of the group. On the other end of the spectrum is Rob Hilliard (Rob Schneider) who is married to a woman twice his age, Gloria (Joyce Van Patten).
When the group first gets together the sparks fly with all the quips and the different ways they find to rip into one another. Most of these burns happen so fast, you’ll be begging for TiVo. It’s the way comedy should be. The story develops quickly, showing everyone getting to know each other and everyone’s kids doing their best to get along as well. The father’s share experiences of their childhood and the kids don’t seem to know how to take it in this day of technology. The story stays on course and flows throughout the movie. The jokes and insults amongst friends keep coming, and without any one joke being told twice, I continued to laugh throughout the whole movie.
There wasn’t really a plot line, but it didn’t need one. It’s just about making people laugh and having a good time at the movies. It was enjoyable from beginning to end! And, don’t worry, the previews don’t give away the best material, in fact the “pool pissing scene” with the blue dye was the LEAST funny part of the movie.
I enjoyed this one from the opening credits till the very end. People may frown at some of the off-color nature of the jokes, but it’s comedy amongst friends and it comes across as a good time had by all. No one actor stole the show, and each character added something special to the movie – yes, even Rob Schneider!
