Movie Review of Happy Gilmore 1&2

The original “Happy Gilmore” is a classic ’90s comedy you can watch on Amazon Prime or Netflix that follows an unlikely hero who is a failed hockey player that discovers his slap shot makes him a powerful golfer. Happy enters the pro golf tour to try and save his grandmother’s house from foreclosure, creating mixed feelings for the viewer of humor and emotional attachment. Adam Sandler, who stars as Happy Gilmore, gives us one of his best performances in his film catalog, creating unforgettable quotes for fans and turning Happy Gilmore into many people’s favorite movie of all time. 

Nearly three decades later, “Happy Gilmore 2” arrives to continue Happy’s story. This time, we see an older Happy facing personal challenges and returning to golf to support his daughter’s dreams. The sequel leans heavily into nostalgia, bringing back familiar characters, referencing old jokes, and features celebrity cameos like Bad Bunny, Post Malone, and Travis Kelce. While it changes the story’s theme to explore more of family and legacy, it also adds Maxi Golf introducing a modern, over-the-top version of the sport that didn’t exist in the original. Its bigger obstacles, louder display, and trick-shot style create new comedic situations and challenges for Happy. This helps the sequel feel more original rather than just repeating the first film’s traditional golf setup.

The sequel works best as a nostalgic reunion. Longtime fans will enjoy revisiting the movie and characters they loved, and the film does a good job showing how Happy has grown older, more reflective, and added new features like Maxi Golf. However, it often relies too much on callbacks and recycled humor. What once got fans to laugh hysterically now sometimes comes across as predictable and reused. The nearly 30-year gap between films also causes the comedic style to feel a little dated in today’s entertainment landscape. 

So, should Happy Gilmore 2 have been made? Yes, Fans have been asking for the sequel for years, and it offers closure and fun moments for those who grew up with the original. It also touches on new ideas like legacy and fatherhood, giving the story a more emotional aspect. It also benefited more by adding Maxi Golf, taking a bigger creative leap rather than sticking so closely to the original movie.

In the end, Happy Gilmore 2 succeeds as a nostalgic tribute but doesn’t quite capture the wild originality that made the first film so special. The original still shines as a hilarious, lighthearted sports comedy, while the sequel feels more like a fond reunion than a fresh story. If you loved the first movie, the sequel is worth watching for fun, but it won’t hit quite as hard as the original. With the original Happy Gilmore getting a 4.5/5 stars and Happy Gilmore 2 getting a ⅗ stars