Production Year: 1996 - Comedy - Director: Dennis Dugan, Tamra Davis, Peter Segal - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over, 15 years and over, 18 years and over - Starring: Frances Bay, Alan Covert, Richard Kiel, Dennis Dugan, Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Carl Weathers, Julie Bowen, Jack Nicholson, Bradley Whitford, Josh Mostel, Luis Guzman, Marisa Tomei more
A would-be hockey player (Adam Sandler) who unfortunately can't skate transforms his slap-shot into a 400-yard golf drive in this slapstick comedy. Joining the pro tour to win... more
Happy Gilmore [DVD] [1996]
Adam Sandler fans are sure to enjoy this no-brainer comedy, but everyone else is strongly ... more
advised to proceed with caution. Before scoring a more enjoyable hit with his 1998 comedyThe Wedding Singer, the formerSaturday Night Livegoofball played Happy Gi...
Happy Gilmore [DVD] [1996]
Adam Sandler fans are sure to enjoy this no-brainer comedy, but everyone else is strongly ... more
advised to proceed with caution. Before scoring a more enjoyable hit with his 1998 comedyThe Wedding Singer, the formerSaturday Night Livegoofball played Happy Gi...
advised to proceed with caution. Before scoring a more enjoyable hit with his 1998 comedyThe Wedding Singer, the formerSaturday Night Livegoofball played Happy Gi...
advised to proceed with caution. Before scoring a more enjoyable hit with his 1998 comedyThe Wedding Singer, the formerSaturday Night Livegoofball played Happy Gi...
advised to proceed with caution. Before scoring a more enjoyable hit with his 1998 comedyThe Wedding Singer, the formerSaturday Night Livegoofball played Happy Gi...
Happy Gilmore
Adam Sandler stars in this hilarious comedy that scores a hole in one for gut-busting wit ... more
and outrageous slapstick. Happy, a raucous hockey player turned golfer, sends the sedate sport into overdrive after he becomes a media sensation with his outlandish antics on the links. It's par for the course entertainment..
Happy Gilmore [VHS] [1996]
Adam Sandler fans are sure to enjoy this no-brainer comedy, but everyone else is strongly ... more
advised to proceed with caution. Before scoring a more enjoyable hit with his 1998 comedyThe Wedding Singer, the formerSaturday Night Livegoofball played Happy Gilmore, a hot-tempered guy whose dreams of hockey stardom elude him. But when he discovers his gift for driving golf balls hundreds of yards, he joins a pro tour to win the prize money needed to rescue his beloved grandma's home from repossession. The trouble is, Happy's not so happy. He's got a temper that frequently flares on the golf course (he even dukes it out with celebrity golfer Bob Barker), but a retired golf pro (Carl Weathers) and a compassionate publicist (Julie Bowen) help him to perfect his putting game and adjust his confrontational attitude. How much you enjoy this lunacy depends on your tolerance for Sandler's loudmouthed schtick and a shocking number of blatant product-placement endorsements, but if you're looking for broad comedy you've come to the right tee-off spot.--Jeff Shannon
Production Year: 2000 - Comedy - Director: David Raynr - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Shane West, Marla Sokoloff, James Franco, Colin Hanks, Christine Lakin, Aaron Paul
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Blake Edwards - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Capucine, David Niven, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers
A review by IzzyS on Happy Gilmore (DVD) December 18th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Liked it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Good
Special Effects
Standard
How does it compare to similar films?
Good
Advantages:
Entertaining, funny dialogue, not too boring or offensive
Disadvantages:
Predictable story wise but still worth watching IMO
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
- Introduction -
Happy Gilmore was shown on Channel 4 a week or so ago and given the fact that I've seen a few Adam Sandler movies that I quite enjoyed earlier this year and I hadn't seen this movie before, I decided to record it and watch it later. I got around to watching it on Sunday evening and was relieved to find that this film is just as entertaining as his other movies.
- Main Credits (non-actors, which are mentioned further on in the review) - Source:- IMDB (see:- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116483/fullcredits)
Director - Dennis Dugan Written by - Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler Producer - Robert Simonds Executive Producers - Bernie Brillstein, Brad Grey, Sandy Wernick Co-producers - Warren Carr & Jack Giarraputo Cinematography - Arthur Albert
- Story (incl. main acting cast) -
Happy Gilmore is the story of a failed ice hockey player with the same name as the movie ie Happy (played by Adam Sandler), who is sad when he splits from his girlfriend who got fed up of him not giving up on hockey playing when its clear he wasn't a successful player and then he finds out that his grandmother (played by Frances Bay) risks losing her house when the IRS (US version of Inland Revenue, for anyone who doesn't know) discover that she hasn't paid her taxes in the last decade. He decides he has to help out and in order to get her house back, he has to get over $200,000 and pretty quickly too. Happy is clearly not the kind of guy who would have so much money, being basically a failed hockey player (though don't tell him that as he still thinks of himself as being a good hockey player), so when he discovers by chance through a bet with one of the IRS men, that he's not a bad golf player, he decides what the heck? he might as well go with it.
One day when he's playing about at a golf course, he gets the attention of a mentor, Chubbs Peterson (played by Carl Weathers), who sees the potential in Happy to compete at professional level when Happy plays a particularly good shot, where the golf ball absolutely flies off into the distance, tries to convince him to take part in the upcoming championships.
He takes part in the first tournament and manages to win, giving him a place in the main PGA championships, where, if he wins, he'll win enough money to be able to afford to buy his grandmothers house back. However, being in the championships means he's up against Shooter McGavin (played by Christopher McDonald), who has won the championships multiple times before. Shooter isn't impressed with Happy at all and tries to sabotage his chances of winning.
Will be beat McGavin and will his grandmothers house be saved? Also, it becomes clear that while Happy is very good at shooting long shots, his skill at putting when the ball is close to the hole, is less than good and when he misses, his anger and frustration is clear as he controversially swears and throws tantrums, angry that he isn't able to putt the shot well. Of course, some people in the PGA aren't very impressed with this behaviour and so want shot of him but others are pleasantly surprised to discover that Happy has built up a new fanbase made of those who are keen on seeing his behaviour (not only does he have big tantrums but he also celebrates with some rather amusing and silly behaviour when he manages to pull off good shots, getting a hole in one etc.), with more and more people surrounding nearby him and the ratings of the competition gradually increasing.Will he be made to change his behaviour, after all this could be the start of a less than professional side to such a sport, or will he be allowed to continue and can he control himself well enough to get right through the championships?
- Genre/Themes etc. -
This is definately a comedy, its not really a sports movie as such. In a way its your average Sandler movie, with the wacky behaviour he usually sports being present here.
There is the theme of being the underdog and hoping to come out on top, Happy being the newcomer to the sport of golf and competing against the professional Shooter McGavin. There's also the theme of abuse in care homes slightly touched upon, though in a comedic way (I guess you'd have to see it to see what I mean), where Ben Stiller has a small part as an orderly/employee in the care home where Happy's grandmother is temporarily placed while the IRS wait to see if they'll be back paid the taxes and can give back her house. Bens character (un-named) is someone who appears to be a very caring person whenever Happy is around but when he turns his back, he threatens Happy's grandmother not to say a word to him about the conditions she's living in and in one scene is shown to be forcing the grandmothers to do alot of knitting and craftwork (when one of the other residents complains that her fingers are sore, he tells her she's been put on landscaping duty instead! or something similar). This is somewhat funny in a way with his character with this large moustache and silly accent but the message behind it is quite serious. It certainly makes you want Happy to succeed and get the money from winning the championships, so that he can get his grandmother out of there.
I guess there is also a smaller theme of handling disappointment, with the obvious angry outbursts that Happy shows when he doesn't do as well as he hopes and how you deal when you don't do as well as you maybe hope you will... especially when its being shown on TV!
- My Thoughts/Opinions -
This is one of Adam Sandlers earliest popular movies, I didn't realise at the time it was so old, I thought it was from 1999 or 2000 but it actually dates from 1996, for reference.
Its quite a good comedy I thought, I was a little worried it might be a bit bland and even somewhat boring, I mean come on, golf? that can hardly be too exciting, even with him in it, I wasn't sure, so I didn't bother to buy this on DVD and instead waited until the movie came on TV. It was worth watching I felt as I thought it was quite entertaining. I can't say that its a perfect movie, as I did feel that it had downsides. If you think about it, it is fairly easy to guess to outcome of the movie, for one. Its pretty predictable and it has the usual elements present in most Adam Sandler movies, the wackiness and the daftness.
The format of the movie, storywise, isn't altogether new, though I thought that it was a pretty good movie, entertainment wise, if you go along for the ride and don't analyse it too much.
One thing I noticed that was a bit annoying in a way was a clear case of product placement for a certain US sandwich/baguette based fast food chain store, which could be seen on Happy's t-shirt and in other places. I guess back then, they needed a bit of that to help pay for these films, though with some of the people appearing in it, you'd have thought they must have a fairly good budget to pay for them all.
- Certificate -
Happy Gilmore is rated 12, due to some bad language and some scenes of comic sexuality. I didn't spot anything too offensive, it is all rather comic and not to be taken too seriously, there's no real violence or nudity or anything like that and so I wouldn't be worried if any young teen wanted to watch this.
- Official Website -
There doesn't appear to be an official website for this movie, probably because it dates back so far (as I say it was from 1996, so probably before all new movies had their own websites I guess). If your interested in this film, though, check out the IMDB entry for it here:- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116483/ there's plenty of information there including other reviews, a photo gallery, plot outline, trailers and videos, trivia and memorable quotes (some quite amusing!). See the links on the left hand side column for all those pages and more. IMDB is definately a useful site...
- Conclusions -
I quite enjoyed this movie. I wouldn't say that its really anything new as far as sports based comedies are concerned, or as far as Adam Sandler movies are concerned but there again, it was one of his first hit movies (as far as im aware anyway), so what do you expect? it was still pretty entertaining. Some of the dialogue was hilarious and while the end was a bit cheesy, I did walk away feeling that I was glad I had seen it. You do feel sorry for Happy, when he gets dumped by his girlfriend and knowing the reasons why he wants to win the championship (for the prize money, to give his grandmother her house back) and so you do hope only the best for him (or I did anyway), which is why its not so bad that it is a bit predictable and in a way, it almost isn't when a twist is present towards the end...
It is something that I might well watch again, even if just to fast forward to the funnier parts and so, as its an old-ish movie and can be found on DVD cheap, I would recommend it. It doesn't take itself seriously and neither should you. There's certainly plenty of madcap characters including Happy, Mr Chubbs (with his wooden hand) and the orderly at the care home. If you can't stand what some may think of as Sandlers' over acting then this isn't for you but if, however, you quite like his humour and enjoy such movies, then you should definately get a good few laughs from this, so I would recommend it.
I hope you found my review useful in deciding whether to watch this movie, thanks for reading!
(btw this is a film only review as I just watched the movie taped from TV and I don't have the DVD so I can't comment on any special features on the DVD).
Advantages: Sandler's performance and comedic talent Disadvantages: None
...flicking through the channels and Happy Gilmore was just about to start on one of the Sky Movie channels. So we decided that we needed a good laugh and settled down on the sofa to watch Sandler's genius at work.
You can get this on Amazon UK for as little as £2.98 brand new. As always, my advice would be to shop around. If you don't mind buying a second hand copy, I'm sure Ebay would have some really cheap bargains to be had as well!
***Synopsis***
... ...temper. His name may be happy but he is far from that. He has a serious anger management problem. He holds a strange ice hockey record - he is the only player who has attempted to stab another player with his skate!
He fails to be selected at yet another tryout and returns home to find his girlfriend is leaving him. The next morning, he gets a call from his beloved Grandma (Frances Bay) and races to her house to see what is wrong. Well, she has ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Fun for all ages, a great bit of light-hearted relief. Disadvantages: No major ones at all, but why couldn't they make the film longer, or at least a sequel
...Key Facts:
Title - Happy Gilmore
Starring - Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Carl Weathers, Julie Bowen, Bob Barker, Richard Kiel, Kevin Nealon
Price - A few pounds now for the VHS, slightly more for DVD.
Subtitles - No
Certificate - 12 BBFC
Director - Dennis Dugan
Distributor - Universal Pictures
Run Time - 88 minutes
Comedy Rating - 9/10
Price & Packaging:
Peanuts. This film is old. You should look for the VHS copy for under £5, and ... ...starts off showing a younger Happy Gilmore, playing with his Dad. Sandler narrates over the scenes where the two are playing together. Happy describes his love for ice hockey, and we get to see his infamous strike - where he smashes any object really hard with his hockey stick. Happy and his Dad are at a hockey match, and his Dad gets hits by a hockey puck. He goes to stay with his grandma, in her big house, and she is really nice to him. That is ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: There are so many advantages to this movie that it's tough to put them into one little box but anyhoot - IT'S JUST A REALLY REALLY FUNNY FILM SO WATCH IT - OKAY!!!!!!!?? Disadvantages: Now let me see....... - NONE!
HAPPY LEARNT HOW TO PUT…….
Happy Gilmore is quite simply one of the funniest comedies ever made. True, it may not be to everyone's taste, but not even the most miserable git among us should be able to go through the film without breaking a smile. When I first saw the film I didn't expect anything from it. A film about golf cannot be the most appealing choice of any cinema goer, but it has to be said that this film even gives Caddyshack ... ...sent to a retirement home. Happy decides that it is up to him to get the money to pay back the government, and thus reinstate his Grandma in her home. The way that he finally discovers to do this is, when he is discovered by a golf legend played by Carl Weathers, is to enter golf tournaments. However, as you can imagine, his temper gets the better of hi on many occasions and instead of playing the gentleman's game, he proceeds to pick more fights ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Adam Sandler at his best, Loads of memorable and funny scenes, a nice watch Disadvantages: None for me
...and written by Dennis Dugan Happy Gilmore was released in July 1996.
****Story line****
Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) is a wannabe ice hockey player that keeps getting cut from the team. Whilst he has the ability to really strike the puck and power it off the penalty spot, he does not have the other necessary skills, such as skating, required for hockey. His biggest downfall is his inability to control his violent temper.
Happy’s grandmother (Frances ... ...put in a care home. Happy makes it his mission to get her house back but to do that he needs money, but where is this going to come from?
During the house repossession Happy discovers he has the ability to drive a golf ball a long, long way so he takes to the driving range where he tries to hustle some cash. At the golf club Happy is introduced to Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers) and ex-pro golfer that had to retire because of a loss of a limb. Chubbs ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
very helpful
04.03.2009
A Happy Place Review ofHappy Gilmore (DVD)by
sirmitchalot
Advantages: Very funny, Very Funny and Very funny Disadvantages: Time it was on, a little old now
...Cast-
Adam Sandler- Happy Gilmore
Christopher McDonald- ‘Shooter’ Mcgavern
Julie Bowen- Virginia the P.R lady
Carl Weathers (Rocky’s Apollo Creed)- ‘Chubbs’
Story
Since he was little, Happy had always wanted to be a Pro-Hockey player.
He would be if it wasn’t for one minor snag, he isn’t actually any good. However, he did have one advantage over all other players. His father taught him a special ‘slap-shot’. ... ...ex-pro ‘Chubbs’ and tells Happy he could also become a pro.
With a bit more luck he manages to win the local open and gets onto the Pro-Tour. Unfortunately he brings with him his attitude problems, lack or restraint and his general ‘I’m not a golfer, I’m a Hockey player, and I’m just doing this for the money’ look.
Everyone is at first keen to see how he plays being new blood and all, until he takes his ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: 3 great films in one boxset! Disadvantages: none.
...Three great films available on boxset!
Normally i find you get two good films and one there are trying to get rid of but you don't get that with this deal!
HappyGilmore was the first of the three films to released and without giving too much of the film away Adam Sandler has swapped ice hockey for golf to try and win enough money to buy his grandmothers house back with has been reposessed.
Mr Deeds was the second film to be released and Adam Sandler is a small town guy and comes in to $40 billion dollars when his long lost uncle dies.
Anger management was the last film out of the three to be released in which Adam Sandler is an overworked business man made to go anger management therapy after a misunderstanding on a plane.
If you haven't watched an Adam Sandler film before you have been missing out but i will say the films...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: funny in places Disadvantages: what storyline
...adam sandler has buckets of talent as a comedian, shame he should waste his time with sloshy trash like this, ok its got a few laughs but the story is weak and adam is the only redeeming feature, how many orphaned kids have you found on your doorstep? If you like adam or the wedding singer or happygilmore then rent this, dont go and but it, its a waste of money and it will be a bargain box dvd before very long, also the lack of features is just criminal from such a major studio, when will they ever learn eh...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful
Plot: Happy is a man who dreams of becoming a professional hockey player. He soon discovers that his talents can be put to good use on the golfing fairway and his radical play makes him a media sensation.
DVD Description
A would-be hockey player (Adam Sandler) who unfortunately can't skate transforms his slap-shot into a 400-yard golf drive in this slapstick comedy. Joining the pro tour to win enough money to get his grandma's house out of hock, this unsportsmanlike sportsman enrages the staid establishment with his on-course shenanigans.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): UCA; CINRAM LOGISTICS (SWINDON), UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS, 4 FRONT VIDEO; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS
![Happy Gilmore [DVD] [1996]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78542188.jpg)
![Happy Gilmore [DVD] [1996] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/icons/no_pic_generic_S1.gif){kind=icon}
![Anger Management/Mr Deeds/Happy Gilmore [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/77951353.jpg)
![The Happy Gilmore/Billy Madison Collection [DVD] [1996] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/83382305.jpg)
![Happy Gilmore [VHS] [1996]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/83964653.jpg)
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19.02.2009
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