Happy Gilmore 2
★★ 1/2
Some movies don't just entertain—they live rent-free in your head forever. Happy Gilmore is one of those for me. It’s pure comedy chaos: absurd, stupid (in the best way), endlessly quotable and just plain fun. It hit me at the right age and time, and even though I’m not a hardcore golf fan, I’ve always appreciated the way it brought Adam Sandler’s unhinged energy to the buttoned-up, polite world of golf. It was lightning in a bottle.
So, when Happy Gilmore 2 was announced, I was excited... and immediately cautious. Sequels to beloved comedies rarely stick the landing, and I’m glad I kept my expectations in check.
Streaming now on Netflix, Happy Gilmore 2 is exactly what you might expect from Sandler in his later years: a film made with his friends, for his fans, with little concern for critical acclaim. And honestly, there’s something endearing about that. Sandler knows his audience, and he gives them what they want—sometimes at the expense of actual storytelling or artistic growth. But hey, the man’s earned his Netflix millions and, to his credit, still occasionally delivers gems like Hustle (not that most of his fanbase could name those).
As for Happy Gilmore 2? If you’re hoping for something fresh or as iconic as the original, manage those hopes. Hard. This is a nostalgia-fueled retread that leans so heavily on the first film it practically falls over. I was genuinely annoyed at how many flashbacks it used—actual scenes from Happy Gilmore—to explain characters and plot points that weren’t exactly Shakespeare to begin with. Did we really need a whole recap to remember Chubbs had a wooden hand? Come on.
Still, I laughed. Not constantly, but enough to not regret watching it. The film is packed with cameos—some surprising, some pointless—but it’s clear everyone’s having a blast, and that’s part of the charm. Christopher McDonald returns as Shooter McGavin, and while I’m not entirely sure what they were trying to do with his character, he’s clearly having a great time. His performance alone adds some spark to the runtime.
Speaking of runtime—this movie did not need to be nearly two hours. Comedies like this should be lean, fast and punchy. Instead, Happy Gilmore 2 kind of meanders, dipping into parody, winks at the LIV Golf drama and retelling old jokes instead of finding new laughs. And that’s the biggest disappointment: Happy Gilmore is such a great character with so much potential for new stories, but this film settles for playing the hits.
That said, if you’re a diehard fan of the original, you’ll probably enjoy HG2 more than most. It’s not great, but it’s familiar—and sometimes, familiar is enough for a lazy Sunday afternoon watch with the family. But for younger viewers or anyone coming in cold? Please, I beg you, watch the first one first. Otherwise, you’ll be left wondering what all the fuss is about.
