New Releases: June 25

1. Grown Ups (Sony/Columbia, 3,534 Theaters, 102 Minutes, Rated PG-13): I am torn as to what the impetus for this movie was. Did Adam Sandler want a reunion with his Saturday Night Live buddies (with Kevin James standing in for Chris Farley) or did David Spade and Rob Schneider keep bugging him to put them in a major role in a summer blockbuster at least once before they died? Lending credence for the first theory: Norm MacDonald, Colin Quinn and Tim Meadows are also in the film. Lending credence for the second: would they have a chance otherwise?

The plot involves five high school friends who reunite for a Fourth of July vacation after their old basketball coach dies. Implausibly, Salma Hayek portrays Adam Sandler’s wife. Even more implausibly, Maria Bello plays Kevin James’ wife.

While I have liked much of what Sandler has done before, I can’t say I have much hope for this film. When the payoff joke in the trailer involves peeing in the pool, that doesn’t instill confidence.