Where to watch Blended
1/2 Star
We meet single parents Jim Friedman (Adam Sandler) and Lauren Reynolds (Drew Barrymore) on a disastrous blind date. Jim has chosen Hooters restaurant for the occasion, which obviously doesn’t sit well with Lauren. Already there is a miscalculation in the writing, before five minutes have elapsed we understand that Jim is a pig with a big heart and Lauren is an uptight prude with a big heart. Of course they can’t stand one another, and they both spend the next few days telling their co-workers just how bad the date was.
By an absolute improbability that only occurs in Disney fairy tales, Jim and Lauren find themselves stuck together at a resort for families in Africa, where their attraction and respect grows as their respective children benefit from the burgeoning relationship. Jim’s daughter’s are overly masculine, while Lauren’s sons are introverted mama’s boys. Naturally the other will pull the children out of their shells and restore confidence.
It’s a shame Adam Sandler is stuck in second-gear for the entirety of the film, because there have been moments he’s downright hilarious on-screen. But in Blended, these moments are kept to a minimum. The film is neither funny nor touching and comes up a tedious middle-road hybrid from veteran Sandler collaborator Frank Coraci, who directed. It is both too much and too little all at the same time.
Director: Frank Coraci
Stars: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Terry Crews
I hate to bag on Sandler (as so many seem to do these days), I look forward to the summer time comedy offering every year, but this was the bottom of the barrel for me this year. Strong contenders tho are, I, Frankenstein and Legend of Hercules.
Yes!! Jason, I couldn’t agree with you more. I had very little expectations, and somehow Blended was still unable to meet them. If it weren’t for Haunted House 2, this would easily top my Worst of Year list.