Happy Gilmore 2: A Nostalgic Trip Worth Taking

Hey there, fellow golfers! If you’re anything like me and grew up in the ’90s, you definitely remember the laugh-out-loud classic, Happy Gilmore. Nothing quite hits the spot after a rough round like kicking back with this gem. Seriously, it’s right there next to Caddyshack on the list of all-time quotable golf flicks. Even decades after its 1996 release, it still brings the laughs.

Now, with the new sequel Happy Gilmore 2 dropping on Netflix on July 25, 2023, I was both excited and a tad worried. Sequels to beloved classics can go sideways so fast. Caddyshack 2 anyone? That abomination earned a jaw-dropping four percent on Rotten Tomatoes! But thankfully, this time around, we’re hit with something much better.

I walked into Happy Gilmore 2 with the right mindset: ready to embrace the chaos and resume chuckling at Happy’s antics. And you know what? I genuinely walked away with a smile. Spoiler alert: the sequel currently sits at a respectable 70% on Rotten Tomatoes. So let’s dive in and chat about what makes this new flick a worthy entry into our nostalgic hearts.

The Right Vibes for a Comedy Sequel

First off, let’s be real—Happy Gilmore 2 isn’t going to win any Oscars. It’s chaotic and downright silly, and that’s what makes it fun. The plot is flimsy, the cameos are beyond absurd, and things get a little weird. But if you roll with it, you’ll find plenty of moments that’ll have you cracking up. Seriously, it’s the kind of movie where just switching off your brain and enjoying the ride is key.

The storyline? It’s simple enough! Happy Gilmore, now a Hall of Fame golfer, has his life turned upside down after a freak accident—his errant tee shot takes out his beloved wife, Virginia (played by Julie Bowen, who nails it again). This bit was a weird choice, as many fans had hoped for a different kind of adversity for our hero. But hey, it sets the stage for Happy to make a comeback, motivated to help his daughter attend dance academy in Paris.

With a golden ticket to the Tour Championship just for being a past champ, Happy balances life and golf, competing against a new league that takes things to the extreme. Picture mini-golf but on steroids, featuring ice rinks and racing cars. Sounds wild, right? That’s just the beginning!

What’s Great About Happy Gilmore 2?

Here are five bits of goodness from Happy Gilmore 2 that totally impressed me.

Scottie Scheffler Steals the Show

Scottie Scheffler—what a legend! He’s one of the five pros in the final challenge and gets hazed by Happy in a hilarious bit about hockey fighting. Guess what? He gets arrested, which is a cheeky nod to his real-life antics from last year’s PGA Championship. And during the credits, he’s shown in jail again because they serve chicken tenders. Absolutely nailed it!

John Daly’s Comedic Twist

John Daly makes an appearance, and let me tell you, he has a running joke where Happy hides alcohol in ridiculous places. At one point, Daly mistakenly thinks hand sanitizer is booze! He chugs it down throughout the film, making for some great self-deprecating humor. Good on him for rolling with it!

Surprise Acting Skills from the Pros

You don’t typically expect professional athletes to deliver Oscar-worthy performances, but these guys surprised me! Will Zalatoris shines as Happy’s old caddie, now a player, and we catch some amusing cameos from Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa. It’s fun to see these pros step out of their comfort zones!

Cameos Galore

Speaking of cameos, this movie is packed! Seriously, you could lose track of them all. I even missed Eminem getting munched on by alligators during my first viewing, and Bad Bunny serves as Happy’s caddie—who knew? With over 70 cameos, it’s a wild ride of familiar faces that keeps the energy up!

The Nostalgia Factor

Throwbacks to the original film are everywhere, and while some may see it as lazy, I thought it was a nostalgic treat. From the iconic beer can hat to key lines from the first movie, the nostalgia was pretty thick. It was like a trip down memory lane, and I was here for it!

The Final Verdict

So, what’s the grade? I’m giving Happy Gilmore 2 a solid B+. It knows it’s not the greatest film, just like the original didn’t take itself too seriously. Yep, there are some acting missteps, and the plot holes galore. Yet, the laughter outweighs the critiques, and it serves as a perfect little epilogue to our friendly neighborhood golfer’s escapades.

In the end, it’s not about checking off the boxes for cinematic brilliance; it’s about the laughs, the nostalgia, and the joy of seeing Happy Gilmore on screen once again. If you get the chance, throw it on with your buddies—you won’t regret a couple of hours of good fun!

What did you think? Did you find it as entertaining as I did? Let me know below in the comments.