El Halloween de Hubie

It really baffles me when people who claim to be Adam Sandler fans, give poor reviews of his movies, claiming to be 'disappointed'. What were you expecting from an Adam Sandler Halloween flick? A coming-of-age comedy drama? A complex character study?

I give this a 7/10 because I judged it exactly how it should be judged. If all Adam Sandler's comedy movies were judged on whether or not they compare to the truly great films of our time, then 90% of them would score 1/10. At a push. But films shouldn't be judged that way - they should be judged on whether or not they achieved what they were trying to achieve.

This brings me onto comedy movies - and I mean comedy movies. Not 'dramedies' or other genuinely serious, dramatic films with some small comedic elements - but 100%, straight down the line, out-and-out comedy movies. These types of films shouldn't be judged in the same way we judge dramatic cinema.

The brand of comedy Adam Sandler uses most of the time, is 'slapstick comedy'. It's not to everyone's taste, nor is it the most nuanced form of comedy - but it undoubtedly has it's place in cinema and TV, and it's served Mr Sandler well. Very well, in fact. Disappointed 'fans' of his who are giving this film poor reviews probably aren't, in fact, fans at all.

This brings me onto 'Hubie Halloween'. A textbook Adam Sandler slapstick comedy flick, that follows a middle-aged man as he's subjected to mockery and bullying by the locals in his town, as a result of his nerdy appearance, and his obsession with health and safety - particularly when Halloween comes around. This year however, mystery ensues as Herbie investigates a number of sinister events that take place on the night of October 31st.

Of all the comedy films in Adam Sandler's back catalogue, Hubie Halloween probably borrows more from 'Murder Mystery' than any other. If 'Murder Mystery' was a spoofy, slapstick take on the classic, Agatha Christie-esque 'whodunnit' genre, then 'Hubie Halloween' is very much a light hearted spoof of the 'comedy horror' style that was famously re-popularised by the 'Scary Movie' franchise - the difference being that any spoofing in 'Hubie Halloween' is of the films of Adam Sandler himself. One of the many Easter Eggs coming in the opening scene of the film - which, without spoiling it, will be sure to please fans of Happy Gilmore!

This isn't one of Sandler's best comedy films, but it certainly isn't one of his worst either. Whilst Hubie Halloween won't have you 'belly-laughing' from beginning to end, there is enough solid material throughout to keep audiences amused. It's a fun, lighthearted piece of cinema that has exactly what it's supposed to have - jokes, slapstick comedy, silliness, wackiness, lightheartedness, and a plot that is interesting and captivating enough to keep us - the audience - interested.

On this basis, I give Hubie Halloween a solid 7/10. It's silly, and it knows its silly. It's wacky, and it knows it's wacky. It achieves exactly what it's trying to achieve, and that's good enough for me. Bravo!

In 2020 you would think people would know what to expect from Adam Sandler's (effective yet slightly hated) brand of raunchy and quick witted humor. But still there are so many smug types that somehow ridiculously expect some huge swings into left field for his Netflix original comedies. Obviously he's shown incredible versatility in his career but people should be able to gauge by the trailer and it being part of his Netflix contract that these aren't Punch Drunk Love, Reign Over Me, or Uncut Gems. Know what you're getting. The snobs that hate Sandler are the types that would go into an Applebee's and expect a five star meal.

This film sticks to classic Sandler formulas which isn't an issue imo. A humble basic story about an odd yet lovable main character that finds himself in the middle of a series of hilarious problems. Along the way he runs into other weird zany characters and maybe a few villains that join in on or his hilarious antics. The actors are the usual Sandler friends that he's had in other films.

Overall its just a nice comfort Halloween themed Sandler comedy that shouldn't be taken so seriously by snobby critics that can't grasp the point of these films after all these years. Throw it on and forget about the world.

If you go in knowing what to expect you won't be disappointed. It's simply a feel good, goofy, Adam Sandler Halloween movie. I loved it, glad I watched it.

Sandler can actually be funny sometimes and the movie premise isn't terrible but why does he have to ruin everything he touches with ridiculously over-the-top voices? He got the balance right in Happy Gilmore but this one is hard to watch!

One thing you gotta tell yourself before watching this movie is its just some Halloween fun. Don't take it too seriously and you'll have a nice time watching it. I did find some parts were slow but overall I got some good laughs here and there. I've watched Adam Sandler movies since Billy Madison came out in 1995. I believe this is the first movie with Adam Sandler and Julie Bowen since Happy Gilmore (1996) and I really enjoyed seeing them work together again after over 20 years. There are some Easter eggs hidden in this movie that connect some of Adams older movies, it was a nice stroll down memory lane when I noticed them, I don't wanna spoil them for you so see if you can spot them! If you're looking for an Oscar nominated picture possibility then this movie isn't for you. If you're looking for a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously and for you to have a nice Halloween laugh and mini scare here and there, then pop some popcorn and enjoy Hubie Halloween! This isn't Adam's best movie but its not his worst either.