People who despise Adam Sandler movies and want to find out what hell is really like just need to see "Little Nicky" for a taste of eternal damnation. They might actually enjoy the Old Testament of the Bible a little more. But although they won't climb a stairway to heaven, die-hard Sandler fans will only leave the theater a little disappointed with his latest effort since the box-office hit "Big Daddy."
Little Nicky - PG-13
Starring:
Adam Sandler, Patricia Arquette, Harvey Keitel
Directed by:
Steven Brill
Now playing:
Showplace East 11
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"Nicky" does have a savior though; a holy trinity, consisting of guest appearances (Quentin Tarantino, Jon Lovitz, Reese Witherspoon, Dana Carvey, David Spade, a hilarious Rodney Dangerfield and the usual Sandler friends), jokes and bits carried over from other Sandler movies and a great ending reminiscent of "The Wedding Singer." These factors combine to bring "Little Nicky" from the depths of Hades.
Sandler plays Nicky, the dumber and slower son of three spawns of Satan (Harvey Keitel) competing to inherit their father's kingdom (which was created by the original devil, Rodney Dangerfield) upon retirement. His evil brothers travel to earth to create a new hell, leaving the old hell cut off from new arrivees and their father decomposing. Nicky must go to earth to bring both brothers back in order to save his father's life. Along the way he learns to use his powers, falls in love and discovers a little bit of heaven.
Sandler brings little humor to the screen with Nicky's annoying, unfunny character. His portrayal is stupid and his voice is irritating and anything but funny. The movie only only avoids damnation through a strong supporting cast.
In fact, "Nicky" is another step in a slow descension of Sandler's movies since "The Waterboy." The more Hollywood Sandler gets, the worse his movies become. If he would stop trying to act and just be Adam Sandler as in "Billy Madison," "Happy Gilmore" and "The Wedding Singer," his movies would get funnier. But for Sandler fans, "Nicky" should entertain with its inside jokes and guest appearances.
