It’s been almost 30 years since Happy Gilmore first cracked us up with flying fists, wild drives, and that unforgettable temper. Now, out of nowhere, Happy Gilmore 2 shows up to dust off the driver, lace up the old skates (Figuratively), and bring back one of Adam Sandler’s most beloved characters. And guess what ? He still hits hard both in terms of laughs and the occasional gut punch. But does this sequel actually live up to the legacy of the first ? That’s the million dollar question.
Let’s tee off with the good stuff, because there’s a fair amount to cheer about.
Sandler’s Still Got It
Sandler’s Still Got It
First things first Adam Sandler. The man, the myth, the goofy golf legend. Watching him slide back into Happy’s persona is like watching your favourite uncle nail a karaoke performance after a few beers. He’s older, maybe a little rougher around the edges, but the magic’s still there.
Sandler brings that same explosive energy and wild unpredictability that made the original so lovable. He’s yelling, swinging, swearing, and smiling his way through scenes like no time has passed at all. But there’s something new this time too a bit of heart. Happy’s now a father, and scenes with his kids (Including His Real Life Daughter Sunny, Who’s Honestly Great In Her Role) give the film some surprising emotional weight. He’s still loud and aggressive, but there’s growth. He’s trying. He’s a mess, but a relatable one.
You’ll laugh out loud at his slapstick antics, you’ll get that fuzzy nostalgia from his signature rage moments, and you’ll smile at the way he tries to be a better man. So yes—Sandler came to play.
A Nostalgic Comeback (With Familiar Faces)
A Nostalgic Comeback (With Familiar Faces)
The film is a buffet of callbacks. Shooter Mc Gavin returns in all his smug, villainous glory, and watching these two butt heads again is like a WWE reunion you didn’t know you needed. The back and forth between Happy and Shooter is packed with jokes, jabs, and some surprisingly touching moments (Yes, Really). It doesn’t feel forced, it feels like old rivals picking up where they left off.
And then there are the cameos. Oh man, the cameos. Over 60 of them, many of which are real life professional golfers. It’s almost ridiculous. At one point, it feels like a who’s who of the PGA Tour wandered onto the set, and someone just kept the cameras rolling. Some of them work, others feel like distractions, but it’s fun spotting familiar faces and legends of the game.
Comedy That Still Connects
Comedy That Still Connects
For what it’s worth, Happy Gilmore 2 is funny. Genuinely, laugh out loud funny in many parts. It leans hard into physical comedy and absurdity, just like the first, and some jokes land perfectly. There are moments where the whole family was laughing together those big, collective chuckles you don’t get often anymore.
Sandler’s timing is sharp, the supporting cast knows what they’re doing, and a few new characters (Including Happy’s Down On His Luck Daddy) bring fresh energy.
But here’s the problem and it’s a big one.
Where It Falls Apart: The “Maxi Golf” Mess
Where It Falls Apart: The “Maxi Golf” Mess
While the first half is full of promise, the second half veers off course in a way that’s frustrating and strange. Somewhere in the writers’ room, someone clearly said, “What if we made this.. bigger ?” And that’s where things start to fall apart.
Enter the “Maxi Golf League” an over the top, borderline sci-fi sports tournament that looks like something out of Wipeout meets Mad Max. It’s loud, bizarre, and so far removed from the charm of the original that you start to wonder if you’re watching a different movie.
Gone is the grounded, silly but believable world of the first Happy Gilmore. In it's place is a chaotic mess of side plots: Happy’s wife dies in the first 10 minutes, he becomes a depressed alcoholic, his daughter needs money for dance school, Shooter’s life is in ruins, living in a shed after losing grandma’s house it’s a lot.
And worst of all, none of these threads really go anywhere meaningful. The movie stretches itself trying to juggle all these “dramatic” twists, but in doing so, it forgets what made the original so good: it was simple.
Golf. Rage. Rivalry. Redemption.
That’s it. That’s all we needed. But this movie tries to be too much, and in doing so, it loses focus.
Overwriting the Basics
Overwriting the Basics
One of the biggest questions coming out of this film is: why do writers feel like we need things to be “bigger” or “deeper” to enjoy them ?
We don’t.
We love simple, well told stories. We love when characters are clear and memorable, when the stakes make sense, and when a movie doesn’t try to outsmart itself. The first Happy Gilmore wasn’t Oscar worthy it didn’t need to be. It was quotable. It had distinct characters. It followed a straight, satisfying narrative. It knew exactly what it was.
This sequel, for all its good intentions, forgets that. It bends itself into knots trying to be “more.” More dramatic. More futuristic. More action-packed. More emotional. But all that “more” ends up being less.
What could’ve been a clean, powerful sequel instead becomes a cluttered mess of ideas, cameos, and distractions.
Characters That Don’t Stick
Characters That Don’t Stick
Another thing the original nailed ? Characters. Happy Gilmore, Shooter McGavin, Chubbs, Grandma, the caddy these were people you remembered. They were weird, distinct, and just plain fun.
But in Happy Gilmore 2, aside from Sandler and Shooter, no one else really sticks. There are so many new characters thrown in, and none of them get enough time or development to matter. You forget most of their names by the time the credits roll.
That connection, the thing that made us care about Happy’s journey in the first film is just missing here.
The Verdict: A Half-Par Effort
The Verdict: A Half-Par Effort
So, where does that leave us ?
Happy Gilmore 2 isn’t a bad movie. It’s not a trainwreck, it’s not a disgrace to the original, and it’s certainly not without merit. In fact, it’s a lot of fun in parts. You’ll laugh, you’ll feel a little nostalgic, and if you’re a Sandler fan, you’ll probably leave with a smile.
But it could’ve been great. And that’s the most frustrating part. It had all the ingredients: the return of beloved characters, a solid lead performance, tons of fan service, and a loyal audience ready to cheer.
But somewhere along the way, it tried too hard. It overcomplicated something that should’ve been simple. It aimed for the green, but sliced it into the woods.
If you go in expecting another Happy Gilmore that scrappy, underdog golf comedy with heart, you might leave a little disappointed. This sequel tries to do too much, and in the process, it forgets why we loved the original in the first place.
That said, it’s not without charm. Sandler is still a powerhouse when it comes to physical comedy and emotion. The nostalgia factor is strong, and the laughs do come, just maybe not as consistently as we’d hoped.
So should you watch it ?
Sure. If you’re a fan of the original or just want a good chuckle on a Friday night, Happy Gilmore 2 is a decent way to spend two hours.
Just don’t expect lightning to strike twice.
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