In 1994, Adam Sandler played his first real movie role as Pip, the brainless drummer in the hilarious rock-comedy Airheads. Who could have known that nearly 20 years later, the often polarizing comedian would still be headed to Hollywood premieres for his new movie coming out this Friday: That’s My Boy.
Success
After Big Daddy’s success in ’99, he looked to be on a mission to assemble a bad movie montage with a string of massive failures. From Mr. Deeds to the abysmal Click, he peppered our weekends and summers throughout the the next decade with many films, few worth their ticket price, but alas he continued to find(or create) roles for himself and his band of actor buddies. I feel like it finally sunk in that the days of Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison were all but lost when he played an Israeli counter-terrorist turned hairstylist in: You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. Despite its financial success, it was panned by fans and critics alike.
Depressed
Once he made Just Go with It and lured Jennifer Anniston and Brooklyn Decker into bikinis for the only two good reasons to see the movie, we realized he had all but forgotten his comedic glory days. After growing up with his greatest hits from the ’90s, it was honestly depressing to see him flounder in such comedic failure.
Optimist
Perhaps he thought playing two bad characters could increase his chances of being funny, but somehow he ended up making even Al Pacino appear terrible on the big screen. Not exactly an easy feat.
The man we couldn’t live without growing up has turned into comedic poison and yet he keeps receiving comedic roles and you know what? It’s all our fault. We’re his audience and while we were busy growing up, someone forgot to mail Sandler the memo.
Future
The verdict is not exactly out yet, but we might be looking at adding to the ever rising pile of Sandler comedy bombs in the near future, which is a bit sad when one sits back to reminisce. Those of us who grew up with his films adored him, and repeated his hilarious one-liners on a daily basis with our friends. Now we’re basking in the epicness of his failures.
But Adam Sandler fans, you needn’t worry about our childhood comedic gem. If nuclear fallout were to ever occur, I assure you he’ll be the last comic standing, and there’s not a doubt in my mind that he’ll still be churning out comedy classics.