Blu-ray Review
The Waterboy
Directed by: Frank Coraci Cast: Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, Henry Winkler Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins Rating: PG-13 Due Out: August 4, 2009
Plot: A losing football team enlists its gentle yet aggressively sensitive water boy (Sandler) Bobby Boucher to boost their defense and team morale.
Who's It For? Most obviously, anyone who can appreciate the zanier side of Adam Sandler. But the inclusion of notable figures from the football world, like Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson, will entertain sports fans alike.
Movie:
Fitting nicely into a classic triumvirate consisting of Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler's The Waterboy is another proud moment in his comedic career that makes the most out of a paper thin premise. The humor is successfully wacky, especially with the full support of seasoned faces likes Winkler and Bates. The memorable characters of The Waterboy even make the goofy movie a bit endearing, as unusual as that may seem. Especially with Sandler's performance, which began to prove to us that we can believe in whatever odd character he throws at us, something that later worked in more dramatic films like Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch Drunk Love.
When it comes to sport movies, they are rarely this universally enjoyable. While it may be a challenge to rank The Waterboy above athletic classics like Major League, it's a no-brainer that this is one of Sandler's hall of fame moments.
Score: 8/10
EXTRAS
None. Apparently, even commentary or trailers are the devil!
Extras Score: 0/10
OVERALL
Another DVD steps up to the top leagues, but this one comes with zero bells and whistles to make it just barely home-theatre worthy. For those who have ever dreamed of watching this particular comedy and its entertaining in-game footage in high definition, here's your chance. But on Blu-Ray, The Waterboy serves up high quality picture, H20, and nothing else.
Final Score: 4/10