BLENDED (2014)

Directed By: Frank Coraci 
Written By: Ivan Menchell & Clare Sara 
Cinematography: Julio Macat 
Editor: Tom Costain 

Cast: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Bella Thorne, Kevin Nealon, Terry Crews, Wendi Mclendon-Covey, Shaquille O’Neal, Joel McHale, Abdoulaye N’Gom, Jessica Lowe, Braxton Beckham, Emma Fuhrmann, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Allen Covert, Dan Patrick, Tim Herlihy, Alexis Arquette, Lauren Lapkus, Michael Buscemi, Rob Moran, Jonathan Loughran 


After a blind date gone horribly wrong, Jim and Lauren agree they never, ever want to see each other again. Well, that's all about to change when the two find themselves and their respective families (including children) all stuck together in one suite at an African Safari vacation spot.

It seems that every decade or so Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore make a romantic comedy together that more represents their advancing age and where they are or are supposed to be at in Life. The first film THE WEDDING SINGER was more about young and impressionable love. 50 FIRST DATES was more about settling into love and what was important about relationships and commitment, especially in middle Age as they got older. This film is more about older characters who have been through marriage and first loves and while out there dating and aren’t Really looking for love. They are more dedicated to their kids and focusing on raising a family. At a certain position in life. Though really their on screen reunion is what the film is more built around.

At first they are matched on a blind date that goes horribly. Where he seems to have already rigged it to go wrong and we get to see their separate home lives. And the dilemmas and issues them and their family members face. Before being forced together on a vacation to Africa. Where they learn to bond and fall in love.

There is nothing innovative about the storyline of the film and plays off more as another film where Adam Sandler gets to go to a foreign location as a free trip and film a movie where he doesn’t seem to put in too much effort. Luckily the movie is less offensive then it could have been and plays as usual more as family entertainment.

Another one of Adam Sandler’s travelogue comedies that tend to be family oriented yet romantic. As the films are more written around where he would like to take a vacation and film. Which he has admitted to In Interviews.

This film doesn’t seem too inspired. Even though it does offer a reunion with co-star drew Barrymore as Love interest.

At least his character here isn’t as obnoxious and over the top successful. As quite a few of his characters around that time in films were. Here he truly seems like an average good guy more in mods with his earlier comic personae only not as silly or violent. Even though everyone around him is wacky. Then again even though it is his brand of humor. This film isn’t written by his usual roster of writers. Where it seems this might have been an original script he decided to star in and more or less add his type of humor and influence more.

It seems each time he and Drew Barrymore team up for a movie it seems to represent not only the tone period but a development stage of his comic personae. As he becomes more decent around her. While we hope that the third time is the charm and just as charming as the previous two times.

The film plays as you would expect with plenty of heartwarming scenes.

The film Is perfect for females and romantics as it has something for every member of the family to enjoy. Perfect for all ages as it even has teen romance covered. Young kids cute, weird and impressionable. The film might surprise you and put a smile on your face. As it is another film where Adam Sandler tries to appeal to his fans who are grown up and try to get their kids to be fans of his also.

This films sense of humor goes well with a younger audience. As even for a family film this feels more like a Jr. high movie and not necessarily a good one. As everything comes off more as cute than anything else before ending where you think it will.

Grade: D+