The Longest Yard (2005)
One example of how to do a remake correctly.
Brief Backstory
In 1974, Paramount Pictures released the Longest Yard, starring the late Burt Reynolds (who would later land prominent roles in Smokey and the Bandit and All Dogs go to Heaven) as an inmate. A little over 30 years later, Adam Sandler would take later star in the 2005 version along with well known actors such as Nelly and Chris Rock. Despite the lower reception, the 2005 remake still became a sleeper hit among the viewers.
Story
Paul “Wrecking” Crewe, banned from the NFL for point-shaving, ends up in the drunk tank and sentenced to several years in prison for parole violation. The warden offers to reduce his sentence if he builds up a football team for the guards to play against. After the murder of Caretaker, the warden plans to falsely accuse Crewe if his team wins.
Random Facts
Burt Reynolds, the original Paul Crewe, is the head coach. Unfortunately, he wound up getting an undeserved razzie for his performance.
Halo 2 is seen.
The warden’s right about football in Texas. Kind of ridiculous how people in Texas have a fetish over it but that’s my stance.
Chris Rock (voiced Marty in Madagascar and Booda Sack in one episode of King of the Hill) is Caretaker.
Some of the scenes like the referee getting a football below the belt twice are a different take on scenes from the original.
Random Opinions
This movie is so vulgar. I’m surprised it wasn’t given an R rating given how the original was rated R. Probably not as violent though.
My favorite movie with Adam Sandler.
Although the warden states that Texas takes prison seriously, I think Georgia or Alabama seem to take prison much more seriously than Texas.
As stated earlier, Football’s serious business in Texas but that’s like any other state in the USA; been to New Orleans and saw so much for the Saints and I think Wisconsin and Colorado are just as dead serious as Texas is. Smaller cities, such as the Festus area in the St. Louis metro area, seems to also have a obsession over high school football.
Exactly what does the guard mean by “the game ball” at the end?
Pros
- Switowski is hilarious. Just about everything that he says is unbelievably funny.
Cons
- Too much rap music.
- Not fond of the cheerleaders.
Rating: 8/10 – Great
Easily my favorite Sandler movie. A lot of the jokes are well written and it remains as a faithful tribute to one of the greatest football movies of all time.
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