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Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights 2003 COLUMBIA TRISTAR, DIRECTED BY SETH KEARSLEY Voices by Adam Sandler, Kevin Nealon and Rob Schneider Eight Crazy Nights is one of the only non-Christmas movies that we watch throughout the holiday season. Despite being about Chanukah, this movie carries itself the very way any other Holiday movie should. It contains everything necessary to get the proper and intended message across, while this one goes a step further and dazzles the eyes the entire time. I've been an avid Adam Sandler fan for years. Though, lately Ive been a little hesitant to rush to see his latest films. It seems that most of his characters are the same, in that they are merely Sandler being himself. When you take into account that most of his films revolve around the same character with a different name, eventually, you'll become a little doubtful that he will bring a new element to the table. But, because I had wanted to see this in theaters, and in light of the fact that many of my close friends had recommended it, I opted to purchase it. I wouldn't be disappointed. Sandler casts the voice of Davey Stone; a self-loathing, holiday hating, all-around bad person. From the very opening, we're heavily persuaded to dislike Stone, and after the destruction he causes during the opening number, it's not hard to lose faith in him. Davey stands before a judge for a number of crimes and is moments away from being locked up. A voice speaks up from the onlookers, and we're introduced to Whitey Duvall. Whitey is the local oddball, whom no one really takes seriously. Whitey volunteers to take Davey under his guidance and turn him around. The judge allows it, deeming it a long shot. He follows this verdict with the stipulation that should Davey disobey Whitey, he'll be incarcerated for no less than ten years. Davey is far from receptive to Whitey's generosity. His demeanor is sarcastic and rude, and his fuse seems shorter than first anticipated. After a run-in with some of the locals at the basketball court, Davey's home is burned down. With nowhere to go, Whitey offers him a place to stay. At first, they seem like an unlikely match. But as time goes on, Davey fits in with Whitey and his twin sister, Elenore. Just when Davey seems to have turned over a new leaf, we learn of his somber look of the holidays. We learn that at a young age, his parents we're killed in a tragic car accident. He would struggle for happiness and acceptance his entire life. Only Davey can make things right with not only himself, but with Whitey as well. When Davey is finally confronted with himself, he must correct everything he destroyed. One of the best features of this film is the animation. Throughout the entire feature, we're served scene after dazzling scene of amazing animation. Elements of snowfall, lighting and holiday color schemes make this very appealing to the eyes. I only wish the movie were longer. This movie was everything I thought it would be. The dialogue is dead on, and the interactions are very believable. I would say that the addition of songs is a change of pace from time to time, each of them containing the traditional Sandler humor. All in all, this movie is something I would highly suggest to any fans of Holiday movies, Adam Sandler or animated features. MOUNT CRUMPIT RATING: 3 / 5 |
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