HUBIE HALLOWEEN (2020)

Directed By: Steven Brill Written By: Tim Herlihy & Adam Sandler  Cinematography: Seamus Tierney  Editor: J.J. Titone, Brian Robinson & Tom Costen

Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Ray Liotta, George Wallace, Tim Meadows, Maya Rudolph, Julie Bowen, Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Blake Clark, Colin Quinn, June Squibb, Jackie Sandler, Noah Schnapp, Paris Berelc, Karan Brar, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, China Anne McClain, Kym Whitley, Allen Covert, Lavell Crawford, Mikey Day, Peyton List 

Despite his devotion to his hometown of Salem (and its Halloween celebration), Hubie Dubois is a figure of mockery for kids and adults alike. But this year, something is going bump in the night, and it's up to Hubie to save Halloween.

While I can admire the film for being strictly for kids with a star-studded cast. It is purely for them as it comes off as silly and pretty stupid, but at least not another vacation comedy for Sandler. Who does seem to put in an effort here. 

Though it pretty much has his typical storyline. This one feels more like one of his earlier films only In the fact that he plays mroe of a loser man-boy who eventually must learn to grow up. Though still has a very attractive woman in love with him for the thinnest of reasons.

While the film has very few laughs if you give yourself over to it. One can see why surprisingly many people are giving this movie mroe the benefit of the doubt. Again as is more innocent than some of his mroe recent films and it feels like a film we need more of these days in these trying and cynical times.

Ultimately this feels like Adam Sandler making. Up another character with a strange voice to show his inner child never left. That feels like his CANTEEN BOY character from SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE not only grown up but with a Halloween theme.

This is another film where the cast is filled with mostly his friends and former co-workers. Where half the fun is seeing what roles they will play and when they will pop up.

This seems like a film where the cast had more fun cracking each other up more than bringing too many laughs to the screen. 

It feels like the script was written from the point of view of two parents wanting to make a film for their kids and putting in all the clean pubs they could for reacting to this generation and trying to keep it clean and immature but with a child’s view of the world. While not necessarily what I was expecting which might have lead to a personal disappointment. 

This film might be what you need for kids seeking something with more of an edge and cute and not having to worry if it is too offensive. As plenty of jokes will go over their head

The film is mostly silly overall and aimed at a kid audience. Using the stars more to lure adults in and watch some respected actors act silly.

Grade: D+