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DVD 50 First Dates (Full Screen Special Edition)
With generous amounts of good luck and good timing, 50 First Dates set an all-time box-office record for the opening weekend of a romantic comedy; whether it deserved such a bonanza is another issue altogether. It's a sweet-natured vehicle for sweet-natured stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, and their track record with The Wedding Singer no doubt factors in its lowbrow appeal. But while the well-matched lovebirds wrestle with a gimmicky plot (she has no short-term memory, so he has to treat every encounter as their first), director Peter Segal (who directed Sandler in Anger Management) ignores the intriguing potential of their predicament (think Memento meets Groundhog Day) and peppers the proceedings with the kind of juvenile humor that Sandler fans have come to expect. The movie sneaks in a few heartfelt moments amidst its inviting Hawaiian locations, and that trained walrus is charmingly impressive, but you can't quite shake the feeling that too many good opportunities were squandered in favor of easy laughs. Like Barrymore's character, you might find yourself forgetting this movie shortly after you've seen it. --Jeff Shannon
Review(s): DVD 50 First Dates (Full Screen Special Edition)
"There's nothing like a first kiss."
The 2004 film "50 First Dates" that was directed by Peter Segal (who directed "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult" in 1994) was an unexpected pleasant surprise as I typically don't like films starring Adam Sandler or Rob Schneider. However, Sandler's role as Henry Roth, who falls in love with the artist Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore), is well-acted in showing both the character's frustration and determination in dealing with Lucy's short-term memory loss that prevents her from remembering just about everything from one day to the next. Taking place in Hawaii, Henry works at a sea aquarium as its veterinarian with walruses, penguins and dolphins, as well as one of the animal trainers named Ula (Rob Schneider). For many years, Lucy has been taken care of by her aging father, Marlin Whitmore (Blake Clark) and her stuttering bodybuilding brother named Doug (Sean Astin). Henry is smitten with Lucy from the first time that they meet, but unfortunately, their relationship becomes difficult, as Henry must start over afresh each day because Lucy can't remember whom he is. Though they spend many wonderful days together and find a way to help Lucy remember what has transpired between them, she comes to the conclusion one day that she is holding Henry back from his dreams. He goes off to finish working on his sailboat and plans to leave the island (and her), but when he visits her one last time, he finds that she has been remembering him in her dreams and in her paintings. Will they find a way to build a lasting relationship or go their separate ways? You'll just have to watch this highly recommended film to find out!
Overall, I rate "50 First Dates" with 4 out of 5 stars. It's an inspiring and touching light romantic comedy with a wonderful soundtrack that features such songs as "Wouldn't It Be Nice" (by the Beach Boys), "Another Day" (by Paul McCartney & Linda McCartney, 1941-1998), "Could You Be Loved" (by Bob Marley, 1945-1981), and "Is This Love" (also by Bob Marley) to name a few. Other memorable characters in the film include Alexa (Lusia Strus), Dr. Keats (Dan Aykroyd), Stacy (Maya Rudolph) and Nick (Pomaika'i Brown). Of course, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Dan Aydroyd and Maya Rudolph are all veterans of the long-running TV comedy variety show "Saturday Night Live", which has been on the air continually since 1975.
A Not-So-Classic Fairy Tale
Amazing. I was already excited to know that Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore were teaming up again (two of my favorites), and it couldn't have been more perfect. Sandler's character is known in the movie as a bachelor, however you know he is sensative and has a heart-- he is a veternarian and more "cautious" around his friend's children-- so the fact that he can fall in love with Barrymore's character under the circumstances is totally believable. The best romantic comedy I believe I've ever seen. I laughed so hard I cried. "Ten Second Tom" ( a patient who can't remember anything for more than 10 seconds) is one of my favorite characters. I could have done without some of the crudeness of Schneider's character, but I think that just took away from the character and not the movie at all. This will touch your heart in a way you wouldn't have thought. And if you believe in "fairy tales," it's all over! I bawled so hard at the end! Will bring out the hopeless romantic in all of us.
Like having a sore in your mouth
I like to hurt myself. I wasn't fully aware of this fact until I recently completed watching "50 First Dates" staring the diverse satirical genius that is Adam Sandler. That's right, I watched all 90 minutes of it. Like having a sore in your mouth that you just can't resist continually poking with your tongue I kept watching. What's more is that I knew what was coming before I even hit play, it's Adam Sandler, the modern day Rosie O'Donell for god sakes. It was like drinking a fifth of Gordon's Vodka, I knew it would be ill but I guess I just wanted to remind myself what ill was like.
Once again we are treated to the silver screen magic of Rob Schneider and Sandler. And once again Rob Schneider proves he is an actor's actor; the way he is able to continually reinvent himself is truly magnificent. With this film he confirms that he is almost a better sidekick then malaria. This time he plays a Hawaiian local and Sandlers best pal. They both work with animals which are a key comedic element in the film. Sandlers back and forth bantering with sea lions and dolphins is reminiscent of the 80's film "Beastmaster" staring Kevin Bacon or at least a guy that looks like Kevin Bacon. Sandler is the ultimate island playboy till he meets Drew Barrymore. They fall in love and all is well. But the next day it starts raining in paradise (both literally in the film as well as figuratively in this review). She doesn't remember him! Turns out that she forgets what happens each day due to an auto accident with her father 7 months ago. She has no short term memory so she is mentally stuck on the day of the accident which happens to be her father's birthday. So each day her dad and brother pretend like it's his birthday. They have stacks of news papers from that day, they watch video taped TV with her that they have seen hundreds of time etc etc so she has no idea what happened and doesn't get sad. I know it's a movie but it is so dam ridiculous I questioned my free will as I sat at my desk and continued to watch the film. Even when Sandler gets hipped to this crazy routine he cant help but make her fall in love with him each day while simultaneously vomiting his trademark hilarity all over the screen.
The best way I can end this review is to write a short list of movies that are better then this one.
1) Waterworld
2) Anchorman (but just barely)
3) Blackula (the black vampire movie)
4) Slackers
5) Iron Eagle 2
6) The New Karate Kid (the one where Mr. Miogi trains a girl and finds out what a "period" is)
7) Cool As Ice (starring Vanilla Ice)
8) Teen Wolf Too
9) Blade 5
10) The American Pie Trilogy (yes, 50 First Dates is that bad)
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