Sequel of Happy Gilmore brings back chaotic fun with a nostalgic twist
In the long-awaited sequel to the classic sports comedy, Happy Gilmore 2, the lovable, hot-headed golfer is back, but this time, he's facing challenges that are far from the green.
Thirty years have passed since the original film, and Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) is now a father of five. However, life hasn't been easy for the golfer. Tragedy strikes early in the movie when his wife, Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen), passes away, leading to a significant emotional toll on Happy. This heart-wrenching event causes him to retreat from golf and struggle with alcoholism, marking a darker and more mature development of his character compared to the original's lighthearted tone.
Classic characters return for the sequel, with Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald (as Shooter McGavin), John Daly, and Kevin Nealon reprising their roles. John Daly plays a notable new role as a somewhat wild housemate to Happy, adding fresh dynamics but maintaining the comedic spirit.
The sequel also introduces new characters, such as Benny Safdie as the heinous and comical new villain, Frank Manatee. Manatee, a character in the film, threatens the sport Happy loves by starting an "American Ninja Warrior"-style league, setting up the main competition. This culminates in a final face-off where Happy's victory preserves traditional golf and achieves personal goals such as sobriety and supporting his daughter Vienna’s ballet dreams, showing growth and resolution.
Happy Gilmore 2 delves into darker themes like family loss, redemption, and legacy, adding depth to Happy's arc while maintaining comedic and sports elements from the original. Other classic characters appear with changed roles or fates, such as the passing of Virginia, which changes Happy’s motivations drastically. Hal L. (Ben Stiller), a caretaker turned antagonist, is involved in an AA group subplot, among other new plotlines.
The film also features plenty of comedic callbacks to the first film, slapstick comedy, and toilet humor, ensuring that fans of the original will find plenty to enjoy. Bad Bunny holds up well in his role as Happy's new caddy, Oscar, and Lavell Crawford, along with new characters like Slim Peterson and Drago Larson, bring laughs despite replicating characters from the original film.
In summary, Happy Gilmore 2 depicts classic characters with continuity but evolves them through tragedy, maturity, and personal growth, reintegrated with new characters and stakes that refresh the story for a modern setting while honoring the original’s humor and style. The film is now streaming on Netflix, and fans of the original will not be disappointed.
Happy Gilmore's challenges extend beyond the green, venturing into the realm of movies-and-tv entertainment, as he grapples with personal issues such as family loss and alcoholism in the sequel, Happy Gilmore 2. The sequel also incorporates elements of both sports and comedy, keeping true to the original's roots while exploring mature themes.
