REVIEW – Blended, More Proof That Adam Sandler Should Not Be Allowed To Star In Films

Are we not past this? Are we not past woefully bad comedies that are thrown into cinemas without any thought whatsoever? As a society, we should demand something more intelligent, a film that assumes we are intelligent as opposed to predictable story lines with bad jokes and ridiculous plot lines. Well, obviously we're not because Adam Sandler is a very rich man and we are sitting here having a rant about the state of the comedy film genre. To go straight for the jugular, Adam Sandler has a lot to answer for. He consistently makes terrible comedies (comedy is a strong word, he consistently makes films), he is the root of the ruination of the film industry and let's face it, he is responsible for Kevin James having a career. Nothing can convince us otherwise. However, it is completely unfair for him to start taking Drew Barrymore down with him. Although her CV doesn't exactly read of many Oscar winners, Barrymore has always been absolutely adorable in mostly every role that she has starred in, she has featured in Donnie Darko and she directed the wonderful Whip It. Sandler on the other hand has not only inflicted us with one Grown Ups, there was also a sequel. The less said about You Don't Mess With The Zohan the better and as for Jack and Jill, well that's just going to be used as an implement of torture in a future war. Yet here we are with Sandler starring in yet another film and currently worth about $300 million. Yes, you read that right, that man is worth $300 million. Now for Blended. The film introduces us to two young single parents who are both struggling with the loss of their partner, Lauren (Barrymore) whose husband has left her for his receptionist and Jim, whose wife has passed away. Conveniently, Lauren is living with two young boys who are growing up quickly, something she is not able to handle while Jim has three girls, one a teenager, which he also doesn't seem to understand. Lauren and Jim are set up on a blind date but after a disastrous first encounter, they seem to have no interest in each other. By a complete coincidence, as only these comedies would allow, Lauren's best friend Jen is in a relationship with Jim's boss but when this ends, they are left with a trip to South Africa that cannot be used. So Lauren and Jim pretend they are different people in order to get their families on a fun vacation to South Africa but while they are there, (surprise, surprise) the pair grow particularly close. There really isn't too much to say here, this is just another bad film from Sandler. In fact, the first hour is almost offensive with its particularly bad sexist jokes and when they arrive in Africa, blatant stereotyping. The plot trundles along to a very obvious conclusion that we don't even need to write a spoiler alert for but for the most part, this is just not funny. There is nothing funny about Sandler, his jokes are obvious and absolutely horrendous. With some serious friend-zone chemistry, it essentially looks like Barrymore and Sandler are phoning it in for some quick money. However, the film has one saving grace; the children. The three girls and two boys are pretty much the sweetest thing about the film so even though you will try your best to dislike the film intensely, they are worth it. They are just adorable. Avoid at all costs. Adam doesn't need any more money. Also, if anyone can inform us how Jim and Lauren managed to get their kids and themselves through an airport with fake names, please do let us know.