It's true that Sandler had lost his Midas touch, but last few films suggest he's back. Still, he's not the same old what he used to be. The time has changed, so he has to adapt to it and I think he's doing okay. Only haters/film critics keep hating him. This is a Netflix production and Sandler in a mysterious role. He teams up with his old school friend and they fake their deaths to begin a new life. But the identities they have borrowed ones are even in the bigger troubles which begins to haunt them as well. So coming out of it is the remaining film to tell.

The storyline seems just okay. Since it is not fresh enough, they did not even overuse the concept to build plot with clichés. Kind of guessable twists, but it will work for most of the people. Better stunt sequences for such a comedy flick. Good performances and it was a smooth sail according to the film's pace. The director and Sandler had given a few good comedies back then, and this fresh collaboration was decent. So don't believe the film critics (Rotten Tomatoes & Metacritic),elsewhere it is rated much better, but still somewhat underrated. If you are seeking a decent action-comedy, this is worth a try.

7/10

'THE DO-OVER': Three Stars (Out of Five)

Action-comedy flick, about two old high school buddies; that reunite at their 25-year reunion, and decide to fake their own deaths (in order to start new lives). Their new identities end up getting them in even more trouble. The movie stars Adam Sandler and David Spade, as the two leads; and it costars Paula Patton, Kathryn Hahn, Nick Swardson, Natasha Leggero, Torsten Voges, Luis Guzman, Matt Walsh and Sean Astin. It was directed by Steven Brill (who also directed Sandler in the movies 'MR. DEEDS' and 'LITTLE NICKY'),and it was written by Kevin Barnett and Chris Pappas. The film is the second movie, in a four- film deal, between Sandler and Netflix. Like nearly all of Sandler's movies, the film is pretty bad; but this one isn't as bad, as most.

Spade plays Charlie McMillan, a bank manager (attached to a grocery store); who's used and abused by his wife, Nikki (Leggero),and her two children. He attends his 25-year high school reunion, with Nikki (who's the former prom queen),and she cheats on him, with her ex-husband (Astin). He reunites with his old friend, Max Kessler (Sandler),who tells him he works for the FBI. Later the two go on a yacht trip, while Nikki is on a spa vacation, and Max (unexpectedly) fakes their deaths; so the two can start new lives together.

The movie gets a lot more complicated than that; it's actually (probably) the most plot driven Adam Sandler movie ever made (with a ton of twists). That's pretty much where the film's qualities end though. It's still full of a lot of bad dick and fart jokes (that aren't funny),and Sandler once again plays an unlikable asshole; who's much tougher than Sandler could ever possibly be (in real life). Spade is actually good in the movie though. It's interesting, for a change (from the usual bad Sandler movies),but nothing more.

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I don't think IMDb allows or encourages single word reviews, but a big, resounding 'no' is what I have to say about this film. No, it's not very good and no, it's not going to revive the career of Adam Sandler. It's a shame, as I have enjoyed several of Sandler's films and even gave a favorable review to his recent odd film, "The Cobbler". But unfortunately, again and again, "The Do-Over" simply is disappointing.

The story idea isn't bad and could have worked. When two high school friends meet at a reunion, one of them hatches up a plan without telling his old friend....he's planning on faking their deaths and assuming the lives to two other guys. Who are these other guys and what sort of lives did these dead men lead? Max (Sandler) isn't sure but he knows it's gotta be better than their current lives...though Charlie (David Spade) isn't so sure. What follows is a film very much like a re-working of a very funny film, "Date Night"...as the two idiots nearly get killed again and again because apparently the dead guys they are impersonating were dead because many people wanted them dead...permanently.

So why doesn't this film work out? Much of it is the writing. Again and again, the dialog and jokes seem to follow the mantra "when in doubt, go for the cheap, crude laugh. Additionally, the film isn't all that satisfying because it's also an action flick...and neither Sandler nor Spade seem suited for such roles. I could say more but the bottom line is that by the time the film ended, I'd long lost interest in the picture and I would assume this would be the case with most viewers. If you still are interested, this direct to Netflix picture is available now through their streaming service.