382 reviews
It's Adam Sandler. Are we expecting a smart comedy, along the lines of Woody Allen and Albert Brooks? Of course not. But like all his comedies, it works. Some of the jokes are truly lame (not in a funny way), but most of them worked. Sandler helped pen the script, so naturally the humor is cheap and juvenile. But everyone, young and old, has a kid or teenager inside of them that is dying to break out. That explains the success of "There's Something About Mary." I'm sure a movie with such widespread success didn't reach only a young audience. When an old man dressed like Colonel Sanders gets hit in the head by a paperweight, call me immature, but I'm going to laugh out loud! Sandler does a great job at awakening the kid in all of us. It's truly evident that the kid in him is fully awakened.
Honestly, I still prefer Sandler's "Billy Madison" (I will always love that movie!) and "Happy Gilmore," but this is a good one too. I never thought Fairuza Balk was hot, before checking out this film. Anyone who has seen "The Craft" knows damn well she looked horrible! And for good reason--she was playing a witch! Here, she looks hot, and walks around in a lot of skimpy outfits--MMMM! No matter how many times I watch this film, I can't help but crack up at Blake Clark as Farmer Fran. God, what an underrated talent! His main gag is you can't understand what the hell he's saying. Sure, it doesn't sound like much on paper--shows how the timing and execution of a joke can really work wonders. He also made a short appearance in "Joe Dirt," so look for him in that one as well. There are a good deal of notable gags: the Roy Orbison tattoo, Rob Schneider's "You can do it!" character, etc. I can't say this is a subtle comedy that you'll want to check out over and over again to search for jokes you may have missed. To tell the truth, I think the film gets more lame in further viewings. Which is why it's good to watch it once or twice. Don't wear it out, because this kind of comedy can wear out easily--like those supermarket brand AA batteries.
"The Waterboy" is funny, mindless entertainment. I recommend watching it--just read a book afterwards...LOL. Critics have criticized Sandler for lowering viewers' comic standards. Sure, his gags may not be as intelligently crafted as those of the late Marx Brothers or Buster Keaton, but he knows how to make people laugh and I'm not going to fry him for that. Some don't find him funny--and if you don't, I understand. But I'm not going to view Sandler as comedy's Hitler. Believe me, I've seen much worse.
My score: 7 (out of 10)
Honestly, I still prefer Sandler's "Billy Madison" (I will always love that movie!) and "Happy Gilmore," but this is a good one too. I never thought Fairuza Balk was hot, before checking out this film. Anyone who has seen "The Craft" knows damn well she looked horrible! And for good reason--she was playing a witch! Here, she looks hot, and walks around in a lot of skimpy outfits--MMMM! No matter how many times I watch this film, I can't help but crack up at Blake Clark as Farmer Fran. God, what an underrated talent! His main gag is you can't understand what the hell he's saying. Sure, it doesn't sound like much on paper--shows how the timing and execution of a joke can really work wonders. He also made a short appearance in "Joe Dirt," so look for him in that one as well. There are a good deal of notable gags: the Roy Orbison tattoo, Rob Schneider's "You can do it!" character, etc. I can't say this is a subtle comedy that you'll want to check out over and over again to search for jokes you may have missed. To tell the truth, I think the film gets more lame in further viewings. Which is why it's good to watch it once or twice. Don't wear it out, because this kind of comedy can wear out easily--like those supermarket brand AA batteries.
"The Waterboy" is funny, mindless entertainment. I recommend watching it--just read a book afterwards...LOL. Critics have criticized Sandler for lowering viewers' comic standards. Sure, his gags may not be as intelligently crafted as those of the late Marx Brothers or Buster Keaton, but he knows how to make people laugh and I'm not going to fry him for that. Some don't find him funny--and if you don't, I understand. But I'm not going to view Sandler as comedy's Hitler. Believe me, I've seen much worse.
My score: 7 (out of 10)
- mattymatt4ever
- Oct 16, 2001
- Permalink
Adam Sandler's brand of humor may not be award winning,but it doesn't have to be.He creates another memorable character here,and surrounds himself with a good cast,including Henry Winkler,and Oscar winner Kathy Bates.You would be hard pressed to find a film about the sport of football that could be considered a great one,but the majority that I have seen are entertaining enough,and this one is no exception to that. If you are smart,you won't view this movie with an expectation of greatness,but if you want genuinely funny silliness,this is a film for you.It's a worthy edition to the comedy section of anyone's home library.
- SmileysWorld
- Oct 2, 2002
- Permalink
Amusing but typical Adam Sandler vehicle about a water boy for a football team who has the amazing ability to get extremely mad and violent (picture Sandler as the Incredible Hulk). When a football coach (Henry Winkler, a.k.a. The Fonz) sees Sandler's amazing talent, he gets him on his football team...much to the dissaproval of his overcontrolling mother (Kathy Bates).
A lightweight comedy handled with playfulness. "The Waterboy" scores big points for laughs. If you want an hour and a half of fun, see this movie!
3.5/5 stars -
John Ulmer
A lightweight comedy handled with playfulness. "The Waterboy" scores big points for laughs. If you want an hour and a half of fun, see this movie!
3.5/5 stars -
John Ulmer
- MovieAddict2016
- Aug 27, 2003
- Permalink
I really liked the Waterboy. It was crude, raw, and utterly funny. Adam Sandler gives his funniest yet since his 1995 cult hit Billy Madison. In this feel good movie, Sandler plays a dumb waterboy who gets on a football team and becomes a damn good tackler. Everything in this film is funny, from beginning to end. Henry Winkler has his best in years as a down on his luck coach and Kathy Bates is Dead Pan funny as mama. Great all around. A+
- Quinoa1984
- Apr 29, 2000
- Permalink
- Smells_Like_Cheese
- Jan 14, 2004
- Permalink
I do agree the story takes a long time to develop, the script at times is not great(too many dumb moments) and the pacing is uneven, but The Waterboy is actually somewhat endearing. And it has Adam Sandler in it, an actor I don't care for, but he was surprisingly amusing here. I do think though that Kathy Bates(ever the pro)as the Cajun mum and Henry Winkler as the bewildered coach gave much better performances. The film does look striking, with nice cinematography and scenery, and the soundtrack is nice. The sports sequences are lovingly done, and the direction is efficient enough. Overall, it isn't groundbreaking, but it is an endearing and amusing film. 7/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- May 31, 2010
- Permalink
I have to admit: this Adam Sandler no-brainer is hilarious, just had me laughing right from the start. I'd rank it in my top ten funny movies of my collection and it features one of my favorite characters in film: Bobby Boucher Jr., a heckuva lot nicer guy than Sandler's "Happy Gilmore."
"Bobby" is about as innocent and a gentle-natured a guy as you'll find this side of Forrest Gump. You can't help but root for him, and that's the idea. What the film basically involves is another "Revenge Of The Nerds" theme except it's "nerd "- singular - as the picked-on waterboy turning the tables on the football jocks. Interesting to once again see Jerry Reed, whom I haven't seen much of since his days in "Smokey And The Bandit." He has much fatter face but everything else looked the same. Then there is Henry Winkler, "The Fonz" who now is the opposite: a guy with a terrible inferiority complex. All the characters in here are wildly exaggerated.
This cartoon-like comedy may not be high-brow, but so what? It's not totally low- brow either, but I do wonder why modern filmmakers cannot seem to make a comedy without all the sex references and the profanity. Nonetheless, Sandler's Cajun accent, his strange-looking-but pretty girlfriend (Fairuza Balk) and crazy mother (Kathy Bates, in the funniest role she's ever played) are all great fun to watch.
It's silly, particularly the ridiculous climactic football game, but then this movie is hardly to be taken seriously. It's all absurd humor, and 90 minutes was just right amount of time for it.
"Bobby" is about as innocent and a gentle-natured a guy as you'll find this side of Forrest Gump. You can't help but root for him, and that's the idea. What the film basically involves is another "Revenge Of The Nerds" theme except it's "nerd "- singular - as the picked-on waterboy turning the tables on the football jocks. Interesting to once again see Jerry Reed, whom I haven't seen much of since his days in "Smokey And The Bandit." He has much fatter face but everything else looked the same. Then there is Henry Winkler, "The Fonz" who now is the opposite: a guy with a terrible inferiority complex. All the characters in here are wildly exaggerated.
This cartoon-like comedy may not be high-brow, but so what? It's not totally low- brow either, but I do wonder why modern filmmakers cannot seem to make a comedy without all the sex references and the profanity. Nonetheless, Sandler's Cajun accent, his strange-looking-but pretty girlfriend (Fairuza Balk) and crazy mother (Kathy Bates, in the funniest role she's ever played) are all great fun to watch.
It's silly, particularly the ridiculous climactic football game, but then this movie is hardly to be taken seriously. It's all absurd humor, and 90 minutes was just right amount of time for it.
- ccthemovieman-1
- Feb 26, 2006
- Permalink
This movie Bobby Boucher who is a 31 year old male, who still a water boy since he was a kid.
All the football players always seem to tease him and he also seem to have a way over the top protecting mothers, who calls everything and everyone the devil dose not seem help him, she dose not what him to go as she told Bobby that his father as died.
There a football training going and Bobby Boucher is doing his work, one of the players come over to him and spit in the water.
Then in that moment Bobby Boucher remembers all the people that Have been teasing or bulled him over the years and he final snaps and runs on to filed a knock out a player twice his size.
Then coach asks him to the join the team but he as to keep it secret of from his over protecting mother is played by Kath Bates.
I have seen this movie so many times now, I have lost count, I found this movie really funny, there were some really great jokes in this movie and there also a little big of drama in this movie.
Adam Sandlers was really good and funny in this movie but still not is best movie However Kathy Bates was very funny in this movie.
I going give this 7 out of 10
All the football players always seem to tease him and he also seem to have a way over the top protecting mothers, who calls everything and everyone the devil dose not seem help him, she dose not what him to go as she told Bobby that his father as died.
There a football training going and Bobby Boucher is doing his work, one of the players come over to him and spit in the water.
Then in that moment Bobby Boucher remembers all the people that Have been teasing or bulled him over the years and he final snaps and runs on to filed a knock out a player twice his size.
Then coach asks him to the join the team but he as to keep it secret of from his over protecting mother is played by Kath Bates.
I have seen this movie so many times now, I have lost count, I found this movie really funny, there were some really great jokes in this movie and there also a little big of drama in this movie.
Adam Sandlers was really good and funny in this movie but still not is best movie However Kathy Bates was very funny in this movie.
I going give this 7 out of 10
This was without a doubt one of the least funny "comedy" films I have ever seen. I sat though nearly an hour and a half of this drivel waiting for all the hilarious scenes mentioned in other reviews - I saw them, but just can't see why people thought they were so funny. It was by turn predictable, boring, badly acted,
irritating - and that was just Sandler (who is without a doubt the most over-rated and least talented "comedians" I've ever had to suffer through). Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against moronic or vulgar humour, but only if it is funny and this certainly isn't.
Why Sandler is so popular is a complete mystery to me, he can't act (unless
doing a bad voice impression of Eric Cartman from South Park counts as acting nowadays), he has no discernable writing ability or comic timing. If I could I would give this film a negative rating
The scariest thing about this film is that it is apparently better than Little Nicky which is hard to imagine. 0 out of 5
irritating - and that was just Sandler (who is without a doubt the most over-rated and least talented "comedians" I've ever had to suffer through). Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against moronic or vulgar humour, but only if it is funny and this certainly isn't.
Why Sandler is so popular is a complete mystery to me, he can't act (unless
doing a bad voice impression of Eric Cartman from South Park counts as acting nowadays), he has no discernable writing ability or comic timing. If I could I would give this film a negative rating
The scariest thing about this film is that it is apparently better than Little Nicky which is hard to imagine. 0 out of 5
All of the characters were well developed and entertaining. This movie never pretended to be anything more than it was..a fun, wacky comedy with a bizarre plot. Anyone who beats this up for being dumb should be taken out back and paddled. It is obvious THEY are too dumb to realize that this was DESIGNED to be dumb. Anyway..there are too many scenes that I STILL laugh at today, even though I have seen this 1/2 dozen times. So, if you are looking for the greatest film ever made on all levels..give this a pass..if you can relate to the humor, it's a wonderful hoot! I am not a die hard Adam Sandler fan, but I think he scored a 10 in this one for likability and laughs.
Although, most of the really funny stuff was shown on TV commercials for the film, this movie still entertained me. It made me laugh out loud which is pretty much my basis for a movie being funny. However, it was very predictable, but I wasn't expecting to be surprised so it didn't get in the way of the humor for me. The only huge negative aspect of the movie was Adam Sandler's constant "stupid" voice. It was funny for a while, but got on my nerves by the end of the movie. Overall, I would say wait to rent this movie with friends when you are in the mood to laugh.
Hey, I like dumb humor as much as the next guy. "Austin Powers"? Yeah, baby. "Something About Mary"? Sure. "Beavis and Butt-head"? Huh-huh, cool.
"The Waterboy"? No way. This comedy is dry and dull. This unfunny mess is a major step backward for Mr. Sandler.
"The Waterboy"? No way. This comedy is dry and dull. This unfunny mess is a major step backward for Mr. Sandler.
It wasent to fun Adam Sandler Was irritating but fun. The movie was'nt real fun to. The acting was'nt to good either But a Adam Sandler fan must see this movie
I saw this movie the first time with a few friends, and throughout I couldn't stop laughing, it was one of the funniest movies I'd ever seen.. until...
The movie came out on pay-per-view. I remembered how much I loved it so I decided to get it. During the movie this time (the second time I'd seen it) it didn't seem as funny. I even found myself squirming in my seat a little bit. I don't know what happened, but I guess the magic in the movie died for me, it just wasn't as good the second time around. It could have been because I wasn't with my friends this time, but I doubt it.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it kind of ran out of steam for me. I love Adam Sandler movies, but this one just wasn't as funny as Happy Gilmore or Billy Madison. Watch it one time, you'll laugh pretty hard, but don't try to sit through the whole thing a second time, just the football parts. 6/10
The movie came out on pay-per-view. I remembered how much I loved it so I decided to get it. During the movie this time (the second time I'd seen it) it didn't seem as funny. I even found myself squirming in my seat a little bit. I don't know what happened, but I guess the magic in the movie died for me, it just wasn't as good the second time around. It could have been because I wasn't with my friends this time, but I doubt it.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it kind of ran out of steam for me. I love Adam Sandler movies, but this one just wasn't as funny as Happy Gilmore or Billy Madison. Watch it one time, you'll laugh pretty hard, but don't try to sit through the whole thing a second time, just the football parts. 6/10
Okay, it's a silly movie, but you don't expect Shakespeare from Adam Sandler do you?
It's a boy meets girl, boy proves to be naive to the point of stupidity but prevails nonetheless, boy inadvertantly turns out to be a sports hero, type movie. Typical fare really.
On the negative side of things, Sandler's character actually grates at times and some of the slapstick is a little wearisome but the overall storyline isn't too bad though rather predictable.
On the positive side of things, some of the football scenes feature amazing tackles and action. And the performances of Henry Winkler and Fairuza Balk are excellent.
Predictable, a tad silly, but the Waterboy remains enjoyable.
It's a boy meets girl, boy proves to be naive to the point of stupidity but prevails nonetheless, boy inadvertantly turns out to be a sports hero, type movie. Typical fare really.
On the negative side of things, Sandler's character actually grates at times and some of the slapstick is a little wearisome but the overall storyline isn't too bad though rather predictable.
On the positive side of things, some of the football scenes feature amazing tackles and action. And the performances of Henry Winkler and Fairuza Balk are excellent.
Predictable, a tad silly, but the Waterboy remains enjoyable.
I can´t believe I spent time watching this worthless movie. Adam Sandler was really putting on a B-class performance. Trying to imitate Forrest Gump in such a second rate and insulting way. The acting was so inferior that it hurt to watch. I´m sorry to say that this movie cannot be recommended to anyone.
This has to be one of the most underrated films on IMDB. Absolutely hilarious.
Compared to the modern PC drivel being released today, this film is phenomenal.
In fact, I'd rather watch The Waterboy for the umpteenth time than ANY of the films released in the last 5-10 years... except maybe the John Wick series.
I don't think Adam Sandler has made a funnier production to date. This film deserves more than a 6.1 star rating... at least worthy of 8 stars.
Compared to the modern PC drivel being released today, this film is phenomenal.
In fact, I'd rather watch The Waterboy for the umpteenth time than ANY of the films released in the last 5-10 years... except maybe the John Wick series.
I don't think Adam Sandler has made a funnier production to date. This film deserves more than a 6.1 star rating... at least worthy of 8 stars.
- MellowStello
- Jul 21, 2019
- Permalink
Bobby Boucher is 31, lives at home with his mother and is the waterboy for the University of Louisiana Cougars. One day he is fired and ends up being the waterboy for a down-and-out college team, the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs. During an incident in training, Bobby demonstrates himself to be a ferocious tackler, and he is picked for the team's defense. Thanks to him, the Mud Dogs' fortunes soar. However, his mother doesn't approve of him playing football...
Silly but entertaining. Started quite weakly, largely using Bobby's disabilities to score cheap laughs. The whole Louisiana inbred/hick thing was laid on pretty thick and got quite tiresome, quite quickly. However, as the movie progresses it gains momentum, shakes off the cheap laughs and becomes reasonably entertaining.
Not that it doesn't still have its silly moments towards the end, but these become few and further between.
Overall: not a must-see, but if you're looking for something mindlessly entertaining, this isn't so bad.
Silly but entertaining. Started quite weakly, largely using Bobby's disabilities to score cheap laughs. The whole Louisiana inbred/hick thing was laid on pretty thick and got quite tiresome, quite quickly. However, as the movie progresses it gains momentum, shakes off the cheap laughs and becomes reasonably entertaining.
Not that it doesn't still have its silly moments towards the end, but these become few and further between.
Overall: not a must-see, but if you're looking for something mindlessly entertaining, this isn't so bad.
Okay, now for me to give a movie on this database a rating of 1, I know it must be pretty bad. There is absolutely nothing that I liked about this wretched excuse of a movie. Film has sunk to an all time new low with this. Why even Adam Sandler would get involved with this picture, is beyond me. He has done some good work. I thought that Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore were hilarious. But The Waterboy was just so childish and infantile, it was unbearable. I was honestly surprised that I was able to make it through the entire film without walking out. I can honestly say that I didn't laugh once in the duration of The Waterboy. When I go out to a movie to see a comedy and laugh, this really irritates me.
A lot of people are shocked at how dumb, unbelievable, and campy this movie is. Obviously they've lived in a cave and never seen an Adam Sandler movie before.
You don't watch Adam Sandler for a cerebral workout. You'll never see him starring opposite Anthony Hopkins or Merryl Streep. Okay, I realize his IS cast opposite Oscar-Winner Kathy Bates, but don't confuse me with details. This movie is just a bunch of jokes wrapped around a weak plot.
Still, the jokes are really funny. I don't usually laugh out loud at the movies, but I guffawed at many parts of this movie. If nothing else, it stimulates the Three Stooges area of the frontal lobe of your brain.
On the down side, Rob Schneider must be a good friend, because his role was obviously a last-minute toss in. Schneider is not funny in this movie and his "lines" are by far the campiest element of this movie.
Still, it was amazing how the crowd with which I saw it reacted to the football scenes in the movie. I looked around and everyone was anxious or cheering like they're best friend was playing in the Super Bowl. Also, this is the hardest I've seen an audience laugh since "There's Something About Mary".
In short, if you can accept the fact that the plot is completely unbelievable and just watch it for laughs, you will enjoy this movie. If you're looking for Oscar-winning drama, go elsewhere.
You don't watch Adam Sandler for a cerebral workout. You'll never see him starring opposite Anthony Hopkins or Merryl Streep. Okay, I realize his IS cast opposite Oscar-Winner Kathy Bates, but don't confuse me with details. This movie is just a bunch of jokes wrapped around a weak plot.
Still, the jokes are really funny. I don't usually laugh out loud at the movies, but I guffawed at many parts of this movie. If nothing else, it stimulates the Three Stooges area of the frontal lobe of your brain.
On the down side, Rob Schneider must be a good friend, because his role was obviously a last-minute toss in. Schneider is not funny in this movie and his "lines" are by far the campiest element of this movie.
Still, it was amazing how the crowd with which I saw it reacted to the football scenes in the movie. I looked around and everyone was anxious or cheering like they're best friend was playing in the Super Bowl. Also, this is the hardest I've seen an audience laugh since "There's Something About Mary".
In short, if you can accept the fact that the plot is completely unbelievable and just watch it for laughs, you will enjoy this movie. If you're looking for Oscar-winning drama, go elsewhere.
I loved this movie. This is by far the funniest Sandler I've seen. I have not seen The Wedding Singer, but it has Billy Madison, Big Daddy, and Happy Gilmore beat. I went in to it skeptical because sometimes I just can't get down with a type of humor that I find many times more stupid than funny. However, I recommend this movie to everyone. It's about a simple waterboy who rights all the past wrongs done him when he raises up and becomes a star member of the football team.
- ejayanderson
- Feb 9, 2001
- Permalink
Geez, Adam Sandler can be really funny, but when he bombs, he really bombs. Waterboy wasn't funny at all, whereas Happy Gilmore was hilarious. Too bad. Adam better get his act in gear, because after The Wedding Singer (ugh) I had hoped to see him return to good form. Maybe next time...
Not drop-dead funny, but Sandler is as funny as typical. This movie is perfect for a footall or wrestling fan with both elements combined into the comedy. Several of the characters also make for funny additions and interactions. A strong comedy.