This... this surprised me. 'Blended' is exceptionally very good, something I did not expect to be saying in this review.

Any synopsis for this would make you fear the worst, as you'd expect it to be one of those average Adam Sandler films with low quality humour and extremely lazy characters played by a poor cast. However, this film somewhat incredibly manages to make everything work; it even has heart to it.

Sandler, first of all, is actually pretty amusing as Jim. Across the opening few scenes it looks like another cliché, crappy character but as the production goes on we surprisingly get a bit more depth with him. Likewise with the rest, I feel we get enough of an understanding to go alongside the humour.

Drew Barrymore is enjoyable as Lauren, she and Sandler have very good chemistry. The child actors are nicely chosen too, with Bella Thorne (Hilary), Emma Fuhrmann (Espn - yes, really) and Braxton Beckham (Brendan) all earning their stripes - I wasn't cringed out by any of them once, which is impressive. Even the side characters here are fun, Terry Crews and Abdoulaye N'Gom are likeable in their respective roles of Nickens and Mfana.

I did not see this one coming, I was ready to dislike it. Instead, it becomes (at time of reviewing) my second favourite Sandler film; behind 'Click'.

Another silly Adam Sandler movie. Once again, Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler pulled off a great comedy due to their awesome comedic chemistry. Mr. Sandler uses some of the same jokes from previous movies of course but they didn't feel worn in this movie. I actually enjoyed it. Several hilarious moments throughout the movie.

The third time this pair had come together for a movie and it does not look good at all. The movie can be enjoyed for its comedy, not for anyone's performance. The location (South Africa) was good, but not exposed well, instead make fun out of it which was expected.

In earlier days I used laugh out loud for Sandler's jokes, he's not the same guy anymore, I barely smile now. And for Barrymore, she was one of my actresses (I believe still she's), but her recent movies are disappointing, or barely in entertainment business. Kind of attractive Bella Thorne in a tomboyish getup, hope to see her in many future projects.

I heard that Dale Steyn does a cameo for a Hollywood and I did not know it was this movie until I saw him. He's a rock-star on the pitch, but when Sandler made fun out of him that irked me and then let it go as it just a silly movie. Like the old days' animation shorts for the TV, this film had collective pieces of comedic scenes. Individually very entertaining, but as a movie fails to assemble. Not for everyone, but manageable.

6/10

**THE UGLY: 'BLENDED'**

WRITING: 40
ACTING: 25
LOOK: 45
SOUND: 50
FEEL: 60
NOVELTY: 15
ENJOYMENT: 40
RE-WATCHABILITY: 10
INTRIGUE: 50
EXPECTATIONS: 25

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**THE GOOD:**

I’m going to be honest here; some of the physical comedy is funny.

When it’s not busy trying obsessively to be funny, Blended manages to craft a fairly sympathetic story about finding new love, moving on with life and doing what’s best for oneself and one’s children.

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**THE BAD:**

Adam Sandler is Adam Sandler, just like always. He is still unfunny and mostly annoying. That being said, he does have some redeeming qualities in this one.

The dialogue is a mix of clunky exposition, unfunny jokes and general stupidity

Most jokes are overdone throughout the film to the point where they stop being funny.

The directing and editing seems very simplistic and amateurish, which makes this film seem like a TV production.

Terry Crews is annoying. Drew Barrymore ranges from an emotional blank slate to over the top. The children are all over the place. This film is hard to finish just because of the horrible acting.

Blended is excessively long. It keeps spinning the same plot threads repeatedly until there’s no juice left.

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**THE UGLY:**

Seriously, I have never hated anything as much as I hate the Terry Crews-led African choir showing up everywhere.

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**THE VERDICT:**

_Another Adam Sandler-led comedy with a few laughs and too much stupidity, but with a surprising heart on a deeper narrative level._

**36% = :heavy_minus_sign: = UGLY**