Publications
Partners
After a disastrous blind date, two single parents, Lauren and Jim, agree on one thing: They never want to see each other again. But, when they each sign up separately for a fabulous family vacation with their kids, they are all stuck sharing a suite at a luxurious South African safari resort for a week.
What we thought:
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore pair up for their third stint together in Blended, and while the two did strike it lucky with The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates, this isn’t one of their best.
I have to admit when the trailer came out it felt like this would be another version of Just Go With It, with the only main differences being that it was set in South Africa and not Hawaii and with a slight plot change.
Drew Barrymore plays Lauren, a single mother who is left to raise her sons after she divorces her cheating, egotistical husband. He’s a deadbeat dad who shows no interest in his children, he doesn’t show up for important games and even cancels their spring holiday trip. Adam Sandler plays Jim, a widower and devoted dad to three girls. The pair go on a blind date from hell and by chance they end up going on a Safari in South Africa together with their families.
The plot is quite predictable as we can see where it is going right from the beginning and it gets there through the tried and tested Sandler formula of slapstick and sentimentality bordering on cheesy very cheesy, as in Cheese Curls cheesy!
The standard fair of lame jokes and clichéd characters and situations are served. There are also two very awkward cameos by Shaquille O' Neal and Terry Crews.
Terry Crews plays the crooner of a singing troupe who pops up in the most awkward of moments. It’s funny in the beginning but it soon wears off as it becomes a bit overbearing. It feels like an extension of Crews’ horrible Ego advert persona. And yes, expect pectoral flexing.
Sandler reprises his role of smart mouthed jerk, which seems to be his character in every single movie! He looks scruffy, rundown and just tired. His character does have some redeeming qualities as he is a devoted father and there are some sweet fatherly scenes.
Barrymore brings the star quality though. She is refreshing to watch,convincing in her role as mother and has good comedic timing.
Another notable mention is the youngest cast member Alyvia Alyn Lind who plays Sandler’s youngest daughter Lou. Most of the genuine laughs are brought on by her.
And Africa? Stereotypes abound. Tribal dancing, wild animals and there is even a performing monkey band. It definitely will give a tourism boost for the luxury resort, Sun City.
The movie had all the ingredients for a good family movie but everything just didn’t blend well together.
