The Longest Yard (DVD, 2005, Full Screen Version)

A remake of the 1974 Burt Reynold's Classic, The Longest Yard is the story of former NFL quarterback Paul Crew (played by Adam Sandler) who was jailed for point-shaving and leads his fellow inmates in a football game against the wardens (lead by James Cromwell as Warden Hazen). The Longest Yard follows Paul Crew's arrival into jail, his efforts to recruit a mediocre team, and ends with the warden vs. inmates football game. While based on the same premise, the 2005 version of The Longest Yard spins the movie very differently than the 1974 version. Burt Reynold's version was more methodical, more serious and spent time and dialouge around race and emotion. Meanwhile, the 2005 version - evident enough by the casting of comedian Adam Sandler - was designed as an action-comedy from the beginning.

The movie is fast-paced and features a huge cast of celebrities and former NFL personalities and players: Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds, James Cromwell, Nelly, Bill Goldberg, Michael Irvin, Stone Cold Steve Austin, ESPN reporters, etc. Part of the movie's fun is that it doesn't take itself as seriously as the 1974 version - instead, The 2005 Longest Yard moves quickly between football highlights, one-liners and cameos. If you are in the mood for a slower, more emotionally rich movie - the 1974 Longest Yard is your better bet. That said, the 2005 Longest Yard is true to its intentions - a light, funny and exciting football movie. There is more substance than Sandler's previous football film (The Waterboy) and is less dramatic and dark than Any Given Sunday. Unfortunately the football scenes aren't as exciting or intense as Any Given Sunday's - but the last scene (the warden vs. inmate football game) is entertaining and, in terms of realism, again lies somewhere between The Waterboy and Any Given Sunday.

Cons: Adam Sandler is funny - as he normally is - but he's not very believable as quarterback. Consequently, during action scenes, its rather obvious when film is spliced or there is a 'stunt' double. Secondly, this is not Chris Rock's best performance - he has plenty of funny lines, but there is no depth.

The Longest Yard

I love sports movies and I love sport movies starring Adam Sandler. Th eLongest Yard features a great cast (Goldberg, Stone Cold, Big Sexy, The Monster, The Great Khali, Chris Rock, etc...) and a great story.

The Longest Yard is packed with laughs and full of great football action. Adam Sandler is great as the lead character and the other actors are cast perfectly.

This movie also features an incredible soundtrack with a ton of upbeat tracks!!!

Final Verdict:

5/5

Rent or Buy?: A must buy for sports fans or Sandler fans or fans of the original

WOW I loved this movie. It was so funny. I put the kids to bed and grabbed the popcorn.

Adam Sandler is one of the finest actors around. I haven't seen to many movies that I didn't like of his. He is so funny on most of them.

Adam Sandler plays Paul Crewe who lands himself in prison after stealing his girlfriends car. Paul has to put together a football team to play against the guards. Its to funny watching Crewe train the prisoners who are terrible at playing the game.

U gotta watch it!!!

My son loves this movie.Very funny and silly. He loves Adam Sandler. Plus all the other stars in it. Lots of wwe wrestlers. Great remake of original with Burt reynolds, who also has a role in this movie.Very entertaining.Have seen it over 20 times,and now ordered a copy for home on e-bay.I think any age would love.Especially kids who are into wwe.Gives them an opportunity to see their favorite wrestlers in a different role.

It's always hard to update an original movie, butt they manage to pull it off here. Many of today's young fans probably have not seen the original with burt reynolds & only assume that adam sandler is again making a comedy. Sandler does manage to pull it off & so does the supporting cast which makes this movie work. They have updated the original & have modernized & done it justice. For the fans of the original, they will be pleased by the new version. Sandler fans will be happy by yet another one of his comedies. This is a decision that is easy to make, buy this one & the original for a double dose of comedy!