Why Adam Sandler’s Animated Film, “Eight Crazy Nights”, Is Better Than You Think
If you don’t like this movie, that’s a technical foul.
Everyone loves to hate on Adam Sandler’s 2002 venture into animation- Eight Crazy Nights. What exactly is it, that turns peoples’ faces into grimaces, whenever I mention it? It can’t be the animation; the animation is excellent and it has that hand-drawn look to it. Is it because of the songs in this quasi-musical dramedy? I doubt it, because by themselves, the songs are super catchy and I still hum them to this day. Is it the plot? Again, the plot is your typical “Grinch turned warm-hearted” kind of story line. So what is it that makes people hate this movie so much? After much pondering, I think I finally found it out. People hate this Adam Sandler movie because it has………. [you ready for it?] Adam Sandler.
Ah yes, Sandler, the guy that people love to hate, even before he says a single word. Let me just say that I don’t love or hate Sandler- I judge his movies, by how entertaining they are. Happy Gilmore, that’s a good movie. That’s My Boy, is a mediocre movie with some good laughs and some try-hard scenes that fell short. Jack and Jill, that’s an abysmal piece of trash. Sandler is capable of making good movies, bad movies, and everything in between.
With the release of Sausage Party, there is an increased demand for adult-oriented animated feature-length films. Let Nights contribute an honest effort into that genre. Stop trying to hate it because of the main role. Behind the constant low-brow humor in this film, there is a surprising amount of heart and thought put into these characters. Most people know a completely selfless old man, and everyone knows a good-for-nothing 30-something alcoholic who is on a self-destructive path with their lives. The interactions between both characters, both voiced by the Sand-Man, have touches of reality that make the movie an honest change from the normal happy-go-lucky animation that is ever so present.
Again, Eight Crazy Nights is no masterpiece, but it is better than most people give it credit for. Besides the already mentioned animation, and the well-orchestrated sound design, there are grade-A voice talents among some sloppy ones. Jon Lovitz does a surprisingly good job voicing his side character and there is a quick Tom Kenny voiced character.
The movie has weaknesses and strengths but overall, I usually try to fit it every December to get myself in the holiday mood, so I don’t turn out like Davey. If I forget to watch it and miss it, no biggie. But when I do watch it around the winter holiday, it reminds me that one man’s trash is another man’s fairly valuable, yet scuffed up treasure.
