Grown Ups (11/9/2010)

Rated PG-13 for crude material including suggestive references, language and some male rear nudity

Directed by Dennis Dugan (You Don't Mess With the Zohan and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry)

Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider and Salma Hayek

The movie poster and tagline “Boys will be boys…some longer than others” really painted the picture accurately…this is a light-hearted, goofy movie that packs in the laughs…and some surprisingly valuable lessons.

Thirty years after graduating from high school, five former basketball teammates gather at the lake house where they celebrated their biggest victory to mourn the passing of their late coach. Over the course of the Fourth of July weekend, the five friends realize that just because they've all grown up and started families doesn't mean that they've lost that old spark. Adulthood is what you make of it, and no one at the lake house is eager to be the grown-up of the gang.

First of all if you were a fan of Saturday Night Live from 1990-1995, you will love (ok maybe really like) Grown Ups. On the other hand if you thought Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Colin Quinn, Norm MacDonald and Tim Meadows were annoying and childish…well I think you know where I’m going with this.

Seriously this movie is really funny. Although there was a brief moment of sadness when I thought, “Kevin James really is filling-in for Chris Farley”. Whether that is true or not, I’m not sure, but I loved seeing my favorite SNL cast members (and the hilarious Kevin James) reunited and having so much fun.

Speaking of fun, my favorite scene(s) involved a little game called Arrow Roulette. I’m not going to give anything away (and thank you film makers for not showing this in the trailer), but I will tell you I think I blacked-out for a second from laughing so hard.

Let me take a quick minute to comment on the content of the film. I think we are all too familiar with the kind of humor Dennis Dugan and Adam Sandler bring to the table. And sure it was crude at times, but I really expected it to be way worse. Some low points to be aware of are: a reoccurring scene of a woman breastfeeding a 4-year old, language, sex talk and David Spade’s naked butt.

Really the only other negative was the lack of Chris Rock’s screen time/story time/jokes. I think he is so funny, but he just wasn’t the oh-my-side-hurts kind of funny that I’m used to from him.

The biggest surprise was the story. At its core, Grown Ups is about traditional family values. I was almost shocked by the positive messages about commitment, family and the “important things” like spouses, children, and friendship.

That being said, I’m going to take the “cup is half full” approach and give Grown Ups a Theater Worthy score. I really enjoyed it and it even allowed me a moment or two to reflect on my childhood and the friends I still have today. Thanks Brent, Dave, Brian and Kyle for being my “Grown Ups”.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is plenty of crude material including suggestive references and language. Although there is no sex or nudity shown, there are a few scenes where a little too much skin is on the screen and sex is the most discussed topic.

Side Note:
We don’t recommend your kids see this film. But on the occasion that they actually have already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.


Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):


Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?

A: This is a story about five best friends who haven’t seen each other in thirty years. They discover that while so many things have changed, their friendship has stood the test of time. The theme throughout this film is that one of most important things in this life is friendship.


Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?

A: It’s clear from scripture that God has created us to need friendships and that relationships are important to both Him and us. In fact Proverbs 18:24 says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Later in Ecclesiastes 4:12 we read, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Do we have those kinds of friends? Do we have the kind of friends that love us no matter what? Do we have the kind of friends that help us grow closer to God or pull us away from God?


Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?

A: There are two things we can do as we look at our friendships; we can evaluate our friends, but we can also learn how to be a better friend. Take some times to answer these questions and evaluate your friendships.
Are we slow to speak and quick to listen? Are your friends slow to speak and quick to listen?
Are we quick to judge or quick to show grace? Are your friends quick to judge or quick to show grace?
Are we quick to forgive or do we hold on to offenses? Are your friends quick to forgive or do we hold on to offenses?