Movie review: The Do-Over

Two out-of-luck high school buddies decide to fake their own deaths and start over fresh with new identities. Assuming the identities of a couple of wealthy men, their new lives look wonderful until they learn the people they are impersonating are in more trouble than they could have imagined.

Adam Sandler (Max), David Spade (Charlie), Paula Patton (Heather), Kathryn Hahn (Becca), Nick Swardson (Bob), Matt Walsh (Shecky), Renee Taylor (Mrs. Kessler), Sean Astin (Ted-O), Catherine Bell (Dawn).

The Do-Over is about 90 minutes of typical Sandler crotch humor without much substance. Roughly the last 20 minutes however, there is a bold attempt at tying the film together and finishing with some meaning. Maybe next time Adam. Still, there were some good laughs here and Sandler's affection for sexy women and girl fights does help.

Acting was better than expected, even from Sandler who delivered slightly better than usual. While Spade was good, using him as a straight-man for Sandler's wit felt like a dismissal of his talents. Hahn was psychotic as usual and fit her role perfectly. Patton was interesting and did a decent job. Bell, Guzman, and the remainder of the cast were pretty good.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were mild but solid. Action scenes were silly but fit the film. Dialogue was campy, corny, dramatic, and at times just plain useless. Sound and soundtrack were decent.

Sandler fans should enjoy The Do-Over, as will most teenage boys that still find farts funny. Those wanting a quality film, a reasonable plot, or something beside crotch-humor should probably look for something else.

With some disturbing and graphic nudity, and sexuality, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 6.3.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Action Comedy, Late Night Comedy

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel