Sure, the hoity toity critics use the guy as a
punching bag (if only to fulfill their yearly quota of the words
"crass" and "moronic") but if you aren't a latte sipping wank (who is
more than likely a failed play write)... you just can't deny that the
man has charm.
Not just your run of the mill George Clooney charm either.
It
is a unique sort of "Turn Your Brain Off At The Door" charm that can
ease and distract a "Joe Public" popcorn audience - and only in a way
that Adam Sandler can do.
So it is interesting to see that
Sandler has taken one of the more inspired film premises of his career
and deliver an out-and-out toddler pic.
And I don't mean "Toddler pic" in a derogatory way either, I mean it literally. Bedtime Stories could quite happily, and successfully, play as a pre-cursor to a concert by The Wiggles.
The post-Shrek era of kids cinema essentially dictated that all children's movies should have "something for the adults" as well.
The
problem with this, however, is that far two many film makers couldn't
balance the mix - ultimately leaving us with films that aren't quite
adult enough for the adults - and not quite kiddie enough for the kids.
Bedtime Stories is a movie aimed at a very specific and very young audience, and to it's credit, never wavers for a second.
Much like the Eddie Murphy disaster Meet Dave, the major problem this flick faces is totally misguiding it's audience via advertising.
On the surface, Bedtime Stories could quite easily be "one for the whole family" - but that's just not what is delivered.
This is pantomime in it's purest form - and a good one at that.
Any
joke delivered to an audience member over the age of five is going to
fall completely flat, but that's not to say the little kiddies won't
eat this up and ask for seconds.
After all, pantomimes make up
some of my fondest childhood memories - so there is no reason this film
shouldn't be able to deliver to our current generation.
Aussie Guy Pearce delivers a pitch perfect panto villain performance (all those post-Neighbours
years in the UK have finally paid off) which Sandler plays off to
perfection, while Russell Brand seems somewhat underused and unecessary
(if only because his charm and wit emanate from his sex jokes, which
are totally absent here).
While die hard Sandler fans will get a
kick out of the slew of cameos from his previous films (Nick Swardson,
Alan Covert, Rob Schneider) ultimately, Bedtime Stories
is a film which is bound to underwhelm those who are expecting an
all-ages affair - but for the intended age group, this puppy is Citizen Kane.
As
a great man by the name of Marty McFly once said "I guess you guys
aren't ready for that yet... but you're kids are gonna love it". DVD EXTRAS
There are a bunch of featurettes included here taking a look at the
behind the scenes fun of Special Effects and other similar antics on
set. Extras like this are normally about as entertaining as dry cement,
more often than not being polished up to within an in of it's life.
However, the sheer star power of Sandler and Brand's backstage shenanigans makes them well worth checking out.
A few deleted scenes are thrown in for good measure, as well as a welcome inclusion of a gag reel.
Good fun, and a safe flick to pop the kids in front of while you try to get five minutes rest!
Conclusion:
Movie 70% Extras: 65%
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