Adam Sandler goes back to his old ways in the sweet, amusing Netflix comedy [Review]

Last year, Adam Sandler probably gave the best performance of his career in one of the best films of 2020, Josh and Benny Safdies Miles-per-minute instant classic “Uncut gemstones. “As Howard Ratner, the unfortunate, deadly optimistic scumbag protagonist of this New York filth masterpiece, Sandler wasn’t exactly reinventing himself. He merely amplified and twisted some of his more recognizable on-screen tics – his stupidity, roaring manic outbursts, and keen sense of Judaism, to name just one of his more outstanding screen qualities – into a compelling, frightening new dimension.

As we all know, the Sandman’s heart is unfortunately not included in so-called “serious” acting, and he swore after he was cursed by the academy for his superlative work in “Gems,” which would make him his worst yet Film as a form of dirty comic retribution. Thank God, “Hubie Halloween“Sandler’s latest version for Netflix, barely qualifies as one of the actor’s worst offenders – if anything, it’s probably one of the better efforts Sandler and his team have made for the streaming platform. Granted, “Hubie Halloween” isn’t exactly “Night of horror“But it’s a surprisingly healthy film, at least for the Sandman, and the film’s anarchic, proudly youthful comic book sensibility is a welcome throwback to the glory days of Sandler’s iconic ’90s comedy records.

Sandler seems pleased to be returning to his signature childish hijinks in “Hubie Halloween,” which, despite its holiday theme, is yet another cute, sloppy event Happy Madison Yarn about a man-child seeking acceptance in the world, this time performed with a creepy, seasonally appropriate paranormal bias. “Hubie” is directed by Sandler’s pal Steven Brill, the comic journeyman, responsible for “Mr. Deeds” and “Sandy Wexler, “And while the film bears all the standard hallmarks of a Sandler / Netflix collaboration – 80s pop culture references, toilet humor for middle school students, and an inexplicably beautiful love interest for the sloppy main character – it’s the first Happy Madison assembly line product at a time when where it feels like filmmakers are just adding a hint of thought to the visual language of the film they are making. Last but not least, the good-natured, restlessly amusing “Hubie Halloween” is a remarkable improvement over the rancid “The Do-Over “and”The ridiculous 6. “It’s true that what I’m saying is poor praise, but it’s been a rough year and there are bigger problems in the world right now than” Hubie Halloween “. A little harmless laugh courtesy of the former Bobby Boucher isn’t the most terrifying thing our species is currently facing.

Sandler plays Hubie Dubois, another of his bizarrely accented, dark, small-town folk heroes. Hubie lives with his kind and protective mother (June Squibb) in Salem, Massachusetts. We know Hubie’s mom has a sense of humor for naming her son Hubert Schubert Dubois, and because Squibb proudly rocks a selection of eye-catching t-shirts that include things like “Boner Donor” and “If you can read this, you ” say. I’m within fart range. “Hubie, who never goes anywhere without his trusty thermos of soup (which also doubles as a flashlight), spends most of his time volunteering in the community and often harasses the stormy policemen on site (Kevin James) for small, largely perceived transgressions. He’s a busy person, but despite his mushy voice and behavior as a hall monitor, Hubie is a kind and benevolent soul who seems to genuinely care about Salem and his people.

Unfortunately, Hubie’s flatmates in Salem don’t see things that way. In fact, most townspeople choose to ridicule and bully Hubie, and while the teenage defeats they hand out are natural to this type of film, for once, it’s refreshing to see an Adam Sandler movie that at least does so is makes his star the bum of all his jokes, unlike other people. A lovely, if roughly signed, local waitress named Vicky Valentine (Julie Bowenand returned many years after “Happy Gilmore”) Has loved Hubie since elementary school, but“ Hubie Halloween ”is far less concerned with romance for Sandler’s mutilating Simpleton and is more concerned with the supernatural deeds of his strange new neighbor Walter (Steve Buscemiwho must really love making these films), the presence of which puts the film itself in a slightly more surreal register.

Along the way, audiences are treated to the usual Sandler gimmicks, albeit more inspired and less lazy than usual, including a wonderfully deranged cameo from Shaquille O’Neil, Rob Schneider, actually once funny as an escaped insane man,SNL“Friends Tim Meadows, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa Villaseñor Rising above slightly sub-par material and a brief, early, hilarious appearance by one of the most memorable psychotic minor players in Sandler’s oeuvre (we’d never dream of spoiling it, but here’s a hint: “You’re in my world now, grandma”). There are many recalls to the Sandler tip from “Billy Madison“And” Happy Gilmore “in” Hubie Halloween, “and at best, Brill’s goofball volley strives for that infectiously insane energy with which you can try anything to make you laugh. It’s kind of a movie that does it in the first five minutes gives a projectile vomit gag and at a later date a kid literally throws a tuba at the main character. The message is simple: either you are on board or you are not. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I am on board. [C+]

Hubie Halloween is available now on Netflix.