Plot: What’s it about?
Adam Sandler has been know to play a “screw up” or two…well, let’s face it, that’s become his stock in trade. In one of his earlier roles, he plays a socially backwards hockey player who has one difficulty…he can’t play hockey! He has the heart and soul of a hockey player, but just not the physical ability. In the opening credits, it’s shown that Happy’s father was killed at a hockey game by a slapshot that broke through the plexiglass. Happy was then sent to live with his grandmother in Waterbury. Happy grew up with his grandmother and has likewise become very attached to her. He makes his living, well actually it never says, but he tries out for the same hockey team each year and gets cut. About the only thing he has going for him is his awesome slapshot (which is shown time and again).
Happy is “boning up” for the new season, when he is discovered by an ex-PGA tour pro, Chubs Peterson (Carl Weathers, from ‘Rocky’). Chubs decides to take Happy under his wing and teach him how to play golf and utilize his awesome 400+ drive that he has. Only problem is, Happy only wants to be on the tour to win enough money to get his grandmother’s house back (it was repossessed by the IRS).
Ignoring all of Chubs’ advice, Happy is doing fairly well on the tour and well on his way to getting all the money he needs. One thing I forgot to mention, Happy has the tempermant of a hockey player as well. In a few hilarious scenes, he cusses out golf balls, caddys, fans and a few other inanimate objects!
In somewhat of a subplot, there is the director of Public Relations for the tour, Virginia Bennett played by the very good-looking Julie Bowen. To make a long story short, Happy has a few run-in’s (literally), but manages to come together in the end.
Look for some appearances by PGA tour pros, and Christopher McDonald as the “enemy”, Shooter McGavin. One of the funnier movies to come around in years.
Video: How does it look?
One of Universal’s first releases, which was in full frame. This movie was shot in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, so you don’t miss a whole lot of the picture…It’s just a matter of principle, ya know? The colors are sharp and vivid, and quite honestly, it’s a far better picture than the laserdisc or the video, so I shouldn’t complain too much. A remaster of this film with a new widescreen transfer would be really nice!
Audio: How does it sound?
A Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is used mainly for showcasing Happy’s monster drives. The original sound mix was in Dolby Digital (ok, DTS), so you still get a clean, crisp soundtrack, and it’s a few steps up from the Dolby Surround laserdisc and video. Not a bad soundtrack, either…
Supplements: What are the extras?
Not much in the department of extras. I guess Universal figured that if you liked the movie (and a lot of people did), then you’d buy the DVD. Production Notes and cast bios are about it, that and the remastered sound. Still a very entertaining movie! If you like Sandler, pick this one up; it makes “The Waterboy” look really lame.
