THE LONGEST YARD

Regular readers of my reviews, and viewers to the award-winning TV show, OUTTAKES, know I’m not a big fan of Adam Sandler. He is the godfather of a new generation of comics who simply aren’t funny outside of their one-dimensional routines. There is only one movie he made that I tolerate, and that is HAPPY GILMORE. Now, however, he is in two that I can watch. Sandler’s remake of THE LONGEST YARD is largely enjoyable because most of the scenes are carbon copies of the original.

The original THE LONGEST YARD starred Burt Reynolds and Eddie Albert. It is a classic, and one of the best football movies ever made. Sandler wisely did not attempt to update, revise or basically alter the story. Some of the scenes were augmented in this new version as were a few one-liner references. To keep co-star Chris Rock happy, several lines were added to fuel his already deep racist attitudes. Otherwise, the movie is in tact.

In one of the classiest moves I’m seen in recent remakes, Sandler gives Burt Reynolds a juicy part, including a chance to play in the big game and wear his old number 22 jersey. It was a move with style and marketing savvy. Many in the preview audience were clueless as to the original movie, much like the producers at CBS (God, does this network get anything right?). This remake introduces them to a good movie they otherwise would have missed. Simultaneously, those of us old enough to remember the original will not be offended by this remake, largely due to the homage given Reynolds.

KEY SCENES TO LOOK FOR:
1. THE SAME ONES THAT LOOKED GOOD IN THE ORIGINAL

There are a couple items that simply don’t work in this version of THE LONGEST YARD. The infamous clothesline tackle and ensuing comment by Ted Cassidy in the first version is altered, and does not carry the same impact. Likewise, the pass to the groin sequence is now done on a referee, rather than the menacing, nasty middle linebacker, played by Green Bay Packer great Ray Nitschke. Look hard in the credits and you’ll discover Sandler’s QB coach was Sean Salisbury. The last time I saw Salisbury he was in a Vikings’ uniform and getting his butt kicked.

There is one more issue I must mention, else I be remiss. Sandler has an obsession with being a pro athlete, preferably a football star. Like Kevin Costner, who seems to be a frustrated baseball player in a movie star’s body, Sandler expresses his desire to be the big important jock, like a cry for help, in most of his roles. Not surprising, since Sandler readily admits he was picked on by his classmates for being the runt in his school days, but its still disconcerting when depicted on film. Sandler walks onto the field and he is the last person you would expect to be there. Everyone, including Reynolds, towers over him. The fact that key players for the other team include monster ex-wrestlers Steve Austin, Kevin Nash and Goldberg certainly doesn’t help the matter. As much as he may desire to be the star quarterback, Sandler just doesn’t fit the mold as an MVP for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

These tiny differences aside, this remake of THE LONGEST YARD does not have the impact of the original, but it is highly viewable. If it causes some of the new, uncultured, wired generation to pickup the master copy, then Sandler has done a good thing.

RATING FOR THE LONGEST YARD = B
BFCA RATING = 7/10