 "Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2 Movie Review")
I won’t say it was terrible, but the first part was way better than the second. But on the whole, it was indeed fun to watch Happy Gilmore back with his typical swing as if he was playing ice hockey and not golf. But to all golfers out there, have you ever tried Happy Gilmore’s peculiar swing? All my seasoned golfer friends have to say it’s damn tough and you might end up hitting others at the golf course and not the ball. But Happy Gilmore made records with his peculiar swings. You will like this movie, even if you haven’t watched the first part majorly because it’s about an underdog called Happy.
The sequel, directed by Kyle Newacheck comes back with Happy Gilmore 2 after 29 years and obviously Happy has become sloppier, who fails to follow rules whether it is the golf attire or the techniques. But he is a winner despite being a total misfit in the gentleman’s game. He being untamed is the total USP of Happy and we love him for that.
But Happy Gilmore 2, I felt the story this time was flat after watching so much good content on this platform. The story line could have been so much better. In one word it was ‘witless’. The second part begins with how Happy has become an alcoholic after killing his wife, Virginia accidently with a golf ball in the course. His sons turn out to be happy, but rowdy. Though his daughter is a good ballet dancer and Happy now needs money to pay for his daughter, Vienna’s expensive tuition at a Paris ballet academy. Basically, he leads a distrustful life where everybody humiliates him for his lifestyle and his alcoholism.
It is indeed challenging to make a sequel as good as the original. And this is not just the case with Happy Gilmore 2, but all sequels that we have seen in the past. The comparisons are bound to happen when the original is a classic. The expectations of the audiences are generally high and to get to the bar that is already so high is indeed difficult.
Happy Gilmore, the first part was out for 29 years and had no follow-ups and yet it left a lasting impact on all our golf and comedy lovers, mainly because it was different from a regular comedy or sports film. The foundation of the movie remains the same, but it wasn’t able to build up to the expectations of the viewers probably because the first part was extraordinarily witty. But just make peace with the comparisons and sit back and enjoy the nostalgia!
Rating: 2 and half out of 5
WATCH the trailer of Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2 here:
Lachmi Deb Roy is the Entertainment Editor of Firstpost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. She is a 'Rotten Tomatoes' certified critic. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes a huge interest in world cinema. She has been the winner of the prestigious Laadli Media and Advertising Award for Gender Sensitivity for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until it's a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too.