I was in Autos class in my Junior year of high school, and I was scrolling through Hulu. I stumbled upon a movie called Grown Ups. I clicked on it and saw the cast. Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, and Rob Schneider. “Huh, this could be a good movie,” I said to myself. 

Grown Ups involves a group of childhood friends who get news that their basketball coach from when they were kids died, so they all get together and go on a trip with their families back to their hometown. They plan the funeral for their coach and a group of other adults they played back then challenges them to a 5v5. 

As I originally hoped, the cast alone is a great mix of comedians who all work great together, delivering hilarious performances that keep the audience entertained from start to finish. Their chemistry is great, and their comedic timing is perfect, resulting in countless funny moments like when Kevin James was on a rope swing and it snapped above the lake, stuff like that is just so dumb that is hilarious.  

What sets Grown Ups apart from other comedies is its ability to balance humor with genuine emotion. While the jokes are often silly and irrelevant like when they started breastfeeding a 4 year old, the film also explores themes of friendships, family, and the passage of time. The characters may be grown adults, but they still struggle with insecurites, regrets, and the challenges of adulthood, making them relatable to viewer of all ages. This gets shown when they have to play their rivals from childhood, they were scared then and they are still scared now. But the overcome their fear and you’ll have to watch the movie to see what happens.

Moreover, Grown Ups captures the essence of summer vacation with its setting and laid back atmosphere. From lake-side barbecues to nostalgic games of basketball, the film evokes a sense of nostalgia the resonates with audiences.

Grown Ups is a refreshing take on the classic buddy comedy genre, offering the perfect mix of humor, heart, and nostalgia. I found it to be a genuinely enjoyable experience that goes beyond the generational boundaries.