Eight Crazy Nights (2002)

Also known as "Adam Sandler's 8 Crazy Nights"
Overall Score: 2 out of 10

The Ultimate Battle Between Naughty And Nice.

Starring: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Jackie Titone, Austin Stout, Kevin Nealon, , Norm Crosby, Jon Lovitz, Tyra Banks, Blake Clark, Peter Dante, Ellen Albertini Dow, Kevin Farley, Carl Weathers, Allen Covert

Director: Seth Kearsley

Running Time: 73 minutes

US MPAA rating: N/A
UK BBFC rating: 12A
Animation, Comedy, Musical

On DVD

On DVD

'Eight Crazy Nights' starts promisingly, with the mildly amusing doctoring of the 'Columbia' logo to show the short stumpy alopecia-sufferer we're soon to have introduced to us as Eleanor. Unfortunately, that's roughly the point where you should think about pressing the "stop" button, assuming you don't want to spend the next hour-and-a-bit cringing over just how unfunny Adam Sandler can be.

I've often thought Sandler gets a rougher time of it from us critics than he probably deserves, but there's simply no defending this pile of cartoon cack. With it's rotten script, sub-standard animation and messy plot, it's the very antithesis of Toy Story. It even manages to reverse the universal appeal of said Pixar flick by managing to aim for a target audience of precisely no-one. There's not a parent alive who would allow their young 'uns to watch this, and, if there's any sanity left in the world, any adults likely to enjoy it are already locked up.

Sandler provides the voice of main character Davey (among others), a 33-year-old waster who's had some sort of festive bypass operation. While everyone else in his hometown of Dukesberry celebrates Hanukkah or Christmas, he hits the bottle and makes a public nuisance of himself. Just five minutes into the film, we've already seen him belch in a Chinese waiter's face, moon a group of Carol singers, make a joke about "melons", and pretend to hump a car. Yet, for some reason local dogsbody Whitey (also voiced by Sandler) agrees to work with him, let him use his home, and inevitably show him the true meaning of festive cheer. What a load of rubbish.

Of course the great thing about animation is the endless possibilities it presents, yet Sandler and director Seth Kearsley make use of none of them. So what's the point? Why not just make another live action Sandler flick as usual? Perhaps it's because this is much, much worse than even the guy's biggest detractors could expect, and without the cartoon gimmick the whole sorry production would surely sink without trace.

There's some semi-decent writing in a few of the songs that pepper the tale, but that's the one solitary positive thing I can think of to say about it - other than the fact that it's kind enough to last just 73 minutes.

And another thing. Why hasn't anyone killed Rob Schneider yet?

DVD Extras: A choice of commentary from either the cast or crew, some deleted scenes, a music video featuring Messrs Sandler and Schneider, a photo gallery, a 'First Look' featurette from HBO, some trailers, and a short film about Sandler's dog called 'A Day With Meatball'. Extras: 6 out of 10

It's Got: A cop-out ending.

It Needs: To be avoided like the plague.

Alternatives: South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Beavis and Butt-head Do America

Summary: One of the worst cartoons ever made. Sandler's made a few stinkers in his time, but this one out-stinks all of them. Overall Score: 2 out of 10

Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 11th December 2003

External Links

Official Web Site
Eight Crazy Nights at the IMDB

Comments

7 Comments

Quit hating on it. You told lies.

Comment by:- james paul | http:home.bellsouth.net... | 09 August 2004 | ip: logged

Sure, its not THE BEST MOVIE, but really, hav u watched it more than once? I myself luved it the 2nd time! The characters are the kind u learn 2 really love & the songs are great 2 sing along 2, it may seem like its not aimed at an audience, iv looed around at its reviews & they say its 2 dumb 4 adults & 2 adult for children, did some1 forget therz an age group in between it!? TEENS! Its super funny with just the right amount of heartwarming moments, id give it 9/10 :-)

Comment by:- karla | - | 15 October 2004 | ip: logged

Oh come on, your EXAGERATING when you're saying that this movie is no good .I find it to be a funny,intresting movie, and I'm sure some people like Adam Sandler's humour

Comment by:- zzz | | 02 December 2004 | ip: logged

It's a funny movie and they made a good choice basing it on adam sandler its the best movie ive ever seen and if you dont agree with me your STUPID!I rest my case

Eight Crazy Nights (2002)

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