Coming Soon To Video
Rated PG-13
Cast: Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams

BIG DADDY? BIG DEAL!
an editorial written by kraig x wenman

'Big Daddy,' Adam Sandler's latest contribution to the world of cinema should have been called, 'Big Crappy.' What the fuck are you thinking Sandler? As this marks Sandler's biggest box office draw to date, it definitely does not mark his greatest success. The temptation to expand to as many target markets as possible is completely evident in this lack lustre feature.

In earlier films, such as 'Happy Gilmore' and 'Billy Madison,' Sandler's humour seemed just that...Sandler's humour. The humour stemmed from its digression from convention. 'Billy Madison's' humour grew from its attempt to molest traditional Hollywood expectations of narrative and form. There were scenes which did not push the story forward and were present only for the sake of comedy. And it worked. While 'Billy Madison' did have a happy Hollywood/Aaron Spelling ending, it was the process toward this ending which made it humorous. And it was enjoyable. Such is not the case with Big Daddy. Due to the target market expansion, the humour seems forced and at many times fake. Humour should not be forced to expand to large audiences at the cost of being lost completely.

Sandler's humour originally appealed to a smaller audience due to its nature and weirdness. But as Sandler's films progress (in popularity and chronological order), the weirdness becomes a normality and the nature becomes stale. He should try to be less cute and return to his roots of vulgarity and the off-beat world from where he grew. It seems Sandler has been forced to show less of himself and of his comic genius, and more of what the executives and the phenomenon of mass PG-13 consumption prod him to show.

Sandler, I beg of you not succumb to the fate of past great Eddie Murphy. I plead with you not to join the 'Darkside' of the Hollywood/Capitalist Empire. Comedy should not have a price. And if it does become a product of price, then you will fade Sandler. And then the cycle will again turn with yet another comic genius, who will be pushed down the same road you were.

It is easy for me to criticize for I am not a comic genius nor have had $20 million paraded in front of my face. So I bid you good luck Mr. Sandler, and hope that your future may hold more than just money.