by: Alana Brown-Davis
‘Happy Gilmore 2’ released last Friday on Netflix in a sequel that has returned with ease. Adam Sandler who stars in the titular role, continues to remind us of his Saturday Night Live credentials with jokes galore. ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ is currently sitting in the top spot for movies this week, a testament to the time that producers took with bringing the beloved character back to fans.
The plot of the sports comedy follows the nearly solemn return of Happy to the golf course. After a successful and lengthy career in golf, he accidentally kills his wife after one of his drives hits her in the head. As expected, Gilmore quits his golf career and develops a serious drinking habit, working at a supermarket to support himself and his five children. His enrollment in a rehabilitation program jumpstarts his golf homecoming.
The movie includes many original cast members like Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, and Ben Stiller. Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Ethan Cutkosky, Philip Fine Schneider, Conor Sherry, and Sunny Sandler play Gilmore’s five children. Bad Bunny portrays Happy’s caddy.
‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Pays Homage to Cameron Boyce
Critics and fans alike have expressed their approval for the sequel. Of course Sandler is his usual iconic self, blowing the dust off of the beloved boorish character. The film as a whole feels like a slice of nostalgia delicately wrapped in sweet modernity. In the early parts of the film where Happy checks in for tee time, a touching tribute is given to late actor Cameron Boyce. In the scene, one of the clerks is at a desk watching Disney Channel series ‘Jessie’ which Boyce had starred in. Sandler and Boyce starred in ‘Grown Ups’ and ‘Grown Ups 2’ together and had struck up a close relationship.
Behind the Touching Tribute
Sandler had this to say to The Hollywood Reporter about the decision to pay tribute to Cameron Boyce. “Love that kid. He was one of the sweetest persons I’ve ever met — just constantly in a good mood, constantly great energy, loving to everybody. He felt like a family member to us when we were shooting Grown Ups. Of course, we were going to shoot with Cameron on Hubie Halloween, and we were getting ready to have a great time together, and we lost him. We think of him all the time. This was just a moment where we were like, “What should we throw on the TV?” We said, “Might as well throw Cameron in there. He’s the man. Keep him part of our family.” And so that’s why we did it.”
Boyce’s mom shared her appreciation for the tribute in an Instagram post. “Adam and Cameron talked quite a bit in the days leading up to his death,” she wrote on Instagram. “Cameron was supposed to be in ‘Hubie Halloween’ and they were strategizing. They had a bond I think related to being authentic, funny and just keeping it real. Adam always finds a way to keep Cam’s memory alive which warms our heart.”
‘Happy Gilmore 2’ as well as its prequel can be streamed on Netflix. Follow for more news at Famease Media.