by Mike Crooks ’14

The career of actor and movie producer Adam Sandler’s career was officially pronounced dead on July 12 with the release of the painfully bad movie “Grown Ups 2.” He was 46.

Sandler’s career in film as an actor began in the 90s with the release of memorably funny movies. “Billy Madison,” “Happy Gilmore” and “The Water Boy” are the big three. These movies are still quoted today, whether it’s the “T-T-T-T-Today junior!” when a friend stutters, or the classic “That’s what I call high quality H2O.” In these movies, Sandler played outrageously goofy characters, and through these roles, he was able to establish himself as a top comedic actor. In 1999, Sandler formed his own production company “Happy Madison Productions.” Sandler had reached the apex of his professional career.

Shortly after, his career took a turn for the worse. Adam Sandler movies, both ones that he produced and acted in, severely declined in quality. Any movie Sandler produced starring Rob Schneider as the main character was a train wreck. In that category falls the “Deuce Bigalow” movies, “The Hot Chick,” and “The Animal.” Those were all just awful and weakened Sandler’s health in Hollywood. “Mr. Deeds” was ok, “Big Daddy” was average, “Click” stunk, and “50 First Dates” was decent. When Sandler partnered up with Kevin James for a streak of movies, the results were abysmal. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” was a joke, as well as “Zoo Keeper” and “Here Comes the Boom.” Sandler’s partnership with James was a main facilitator of the demise of his career. Yes, James is fat and it is funny, but Sandler went to that one well too many times.

In the past two years, it became apparent that Sandler’s career was nearing its end. “Jack and Jill,” “That’s My Boy” and “Grown Ups” were sorry attempts by a once great comedic talent at the end of his tenure in the movie industry.

Friends and family became increasingly concerned about Sandler and urged him to get professional help. According to sources, Sandler would invite James over on weekends to watch “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” and they would laugh hysterically. Sandler’s wife and children were troubled as to why they would laugh at such an unfunny movie.

Despite outcries from his loved ones, Sandler’s career continue to crumble until its tragic death. “Grown Ups 2” was as bad as it gets. Truthfully, the only funny part about it was how terrible it was. It literally had no plot. If you asked anyone what the main conflict or climax were, they wouldn’t be able to do it. It was just a bunch of middle-aged men hanging out in their hometown, doing dumb stuff. It was like sitting through a long, painful death, one hour and 41 minutes long to be precise.
This here lies an initially promising, but ultimately pitiful and sad career.