The Longest Yard (2005) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

USA 2005
Director: Peter Segal
Cast: Adam Sandler, Burt Reynolds, Chris Rock, Nelly, Terry Crews, Nicholas Turturro, Bill Goldberg
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: 27 May 2005
Running Time: 1 hour 53 minutes

The Movie Review

The Longest Yard film still

Comedy with "bruises" but still fun!


THE LONGEST YARD (remake)
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Sandler's fans get ready for one of Adam Sandler's greatest movies, for this year we meet The Longest Yard. If you're already familiar with the title, it's because this is a remake of the 1974 film under the same title. This remake also stars Burt Reynolds who was the Paul Crewe (lead actor) in the original movie.

Adam Sandler roles as Paul Crewe, a kicked-out football player that on one night driving his girlfriend's car recklessly until got arrested and sent to Allenville Penitentiary prison in Texas. Paul is loathed by other inmates for his record of having shaving points back in a big game back when Paul still played professionally.

In the prison, Paul is asked by the warden Hazen to form a new football team serves only to be defeated severely by the Prison Guards' football team so that the Guards will gain its self confidence for the real championship. Paul with his new friend Caretaker (Chris Rock) assemble a new football team comprises of very unlikely players, where Paul and Caretaker have to think creatively to recruit them. And with the coaching of a former football player Nate (Burt Reynolds), Paul and Caretaker prepare the team for the ultimate fight against the Guards.

Frankly, aside that this is a remake, The Longest Yard is somewhat a hybrid of Van Damme's movie In Hell (stark similarity with all the inmates forms) and Howard Deutch's The Replacements (starred by Keanu Reeves for its unique set of players). It emphasizes on what an action sport movie usually does, the difference personality and race among the inmates, how they see one person as their leader, et cetera et cetera.

What differs it from the original movie is that this remake uses typical Sandler's joke and of course a joke about his egg-shaped head with no profanity instead of dark comedy. But it still brings the charm, more or less by the existence of Burt Reynolds that still has his charm after his previous role is notoriously criticized film The Dukes of Hazzard.

The Longest Yard is a comedy movie, a comedy that requires for some commonsense to be thrown out of the field. Sandler is back with his wooden expression again, lucky for him; wooden-expression is not that weird in a prison set. He stars again as a hotshot, but he just can't pull off to be a motivator, his messages are vague.

There are some laugh-out loud moments (depend also on your sense of humor), they're really funny and amusing. Not sickly jokes, a good normal jokes although sometimes quite raunchy too. It's just nice once in a while to see a big guy cheering together with the transsexual cheerleaders.

The movie ultimate strength arguably relies on the great songs served as soundtracks, performed by Nelly (also role as an inmate), Ludacris, Stevie Wonder and other artists. The Longest Yard also relies on the roles performed by professional wrestles such as Bill Goldberg (movie Ready to Rumble), Stone Cold Austin, Michael Irvin, Dalip Singh Rana and some others.

All in all, if you seek the old-comedy's charm, The Longest Yard is one of the best choices. And if you're a fan of Sandler's work, believe me, you do not want to miss this. Its refreshing and a feel-good comedy. It's Worth to watch.

© iwan pranowo of Movielogy.com