Starring one of my favourite on screen couples Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, my hopes were high going into Blended, as the two's chemistry in The Wedding Singer (1998) and 50 First Dates (2004) had knocked me for six with an astounding mix of comedy, music, and realistic attraction. But with over a decade gone by since the first time I fell in love with Robbie and Julia could lightning strike a third time?
From the get go Blended pulls out all the stops to make this ride as family enjoyable as possible with some classic tropes such as, the ugly girl really being beautiful all along e.g. Breakfast Club (1985), potential-parents bonding with kids e.g. Uncle Buck (1989), and plenty of good-old teen angst and embarrassment throw in. At this point Sandler and Barrymore have played these roles so often that they're basically muscle memory, with Sandler especially able to flip the loving but awkward dad switch thanks to his wealth of dad performances in Big Daddy (1999), Click (2006), Bed Time Stories (2008), and Grown Ups (2010). Making for some wonderful scenes with the child stars who really steal the show especially Alyvia Alyn Lind as seven year old Lou who manages to remain lovable yet serious without taking on too much Shirley Temple sweetness.Whilst all this coupled with some beautiful Hollywood escapism with the film's primary destination filmed at the gorgeous African mega resort Sun City should make for a loveable romp, something ultimately falls flat. Returning Wedding Singer director Frank Coraci does his best to reign this outlandish story into a conceivable whole, mixing in just enough background to each family to add realistic weight and a great cameo from Joel McHale, Community (2009) as the cheating ex to Barrymore's brood. As well as some great stunts, one involving a bull riding challenge but on ostriches lends to a lot of laugh, but ultimately Blended is just too far fetched to continue the disbelief that these two families would somehow form the new Brady Bunch in just over a week on vacation.
Likewise the supporting cast of Terry Crews, Shaquille O'neal and Wendi McLendon-Covey add to some great world building both inside and outside the resort. With Crews delivering a genuinely amusing performance as over the top family-moon host Nickens, complete with nine back-up singer entourage. But even this doesn't add enough to the film, as bad computer animation, lack lustre jokes, and too few scenes between our main love interests turn what could have been great into another run of the mill summer midweek filler.
It's sad to see so much talent behind this film churn out something so forgettably mediocre, not only did I end this film not really caring if the two leads got together, but wondering where it all went wrong for the star couple of my younger years. For a time Barrymore was a powerhouse performer delivering smarts, sass and sex with box office titans like Charlie's Angels (2000) and Whip It (2009) and Sandler almost nigh un-touchable, tickling the rib-cages of the world with hits like Happy Gilmore (1996) and Little Nicky (2000).
Now whilst still able to deliver heartfelt scenes and comedic moments when called for these fine actors come across as just phoning it in and going for an easy pay check.
With laughs hit and miss and a family story straight out of sitcom television Blended is a watch for the most die hard Sandler/Barrymore fans or for anyone needing a good sunday night on the couch. Otherwise leave just go back and watch 50 First Dates again and let the waves of calming nostalgia soothe you.
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