There’s a bright future in movies for Bad Bunny.
Playing Happy Gilmore’s waiter-turned-caddy in “Happy Gilmore 2,” he gets some of the best laughs that don’t require heavy lifting from star Adam Sandler.
Bad Bunny, left, steals laughs from Adam Sandler in "Happy Gilmore 2."
Sandler, in fact, is more than willing to let others grab the spotlight — including a lineup of top golfers competing in a Masters-like tournament. They get harmless characterizations (Fred Couples as a dessert hog, Jack Nicklaus teasing the “Arnold Palmer” drink) and a lot of turf time as Gilmore returns to defend “traditional” golf against something called “Maxi Golf.” In the new iteration, all bets are off and anything can happen (sort of like Happy’s old driving style).
Because he needs money to pay bills and send his daughter to a Paris ballet school, Gilmore comes out of retirement, spars with the competition and winds up in a winner-take-all final putt that surprises more than the scenes that come before it.
Sandler doesn’t have the same goofiness he did in 1996 (that’s left to the five playing his kids), but he can lay claim to launching Bad Bunny. Elevating him from waiter to caddy takes place when he’s unable to find a qualified adviser/bag carrier. He drafts Bunny (Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, as he’s officially billed), who soon is offering up breadsticks, water and some pretty sharp dance moves. He’s so fun to watch you want him to do more with Travis Kelce as the boss who fires him.
Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio), left, serves as Happy Gilmore's caddy in "Happy Gilmore 2." Adam Sandler returns as Happy.
Determined to reward fans of the first film, Sandler brings back a few O.G. Gilmore stars and pays tribute to those who are no longer around. He even gets John Daly to toy with the Gilmore kids while he’s out winning tournaments.
Benny Safdie emerges as the villain trying to change traditional golf. He thinks a faster game (one that’s practically arcade-ready) will draw more fans. We get a sampling of it, but director Kyle Newacheck could have shown more changes. The ones he does include are fun (not unlike “The Hunger Games—Gilmore Style”).
Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller are also here; Sandler’s wife and two daughters get moments as well. You might end up thinking you’re at another “Saturday Night Live” reunion. But they're all day players.
From left, Marcello Hernandez, Adam Sandler and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio try to figure out how best to play a hole in "Happy Gilmore 2."
Bad Bunny is the real MVP. This may set him up for the kind of career that crosses all barriers.
While “Happy Gilmore 2” doesn’t please like a hole in one, it does satisfy with a few snacks and a cold drink.
Wait long enough and you'll download Bad Bunny's latest album.
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