Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'The Do-Over'

Written by Scott Edwards

It is difficult to break out of a rut, especially if it has been a lifelong one. No matter what you do, you continue to get yourself back into the same situations every time and there is no way of breaking free. A fresh start is the way to go, but that is easier said than done these days. With your life already in progress, it is next to impossible to step away. Needing to find a way to get a clean slate is the best alternative, but short of going into the Witness Protection Program, the odds of pulling it off are a million to one.

While at his high school reunion, Charlie McMillian is forced to watch his wife dance with her ex-husband when a friendly face shows itself. Max Kessler is back in town and ready to see his friend for old times sake. Leaving the reunion, the two old friends sit and have a chat about how bad life has been for them both and how they really need a change. While Max has an idea that can help them both, he is holding something back from Charlie who needs this much worse than he does.

While considering a change in lifestyle, Charlie is pushed to the brink when his wife is more concerned about her best friend accompanying her on a spa weekend than him. Reaching out to Max, Charlie is ready for a weekend getaway that will take him back to his youth. While the two are out having the time of their lives on a yacht, Max has another plan for the old friends. Rowing Charlie and himself back to shore, Max blows up his boat and is ready to start his life over again.

When Charlie wakes up in a seedy hotel room, he hears out Max’s plan for the life the two men deserve. With fake ids created for them both, the friends get a do over and this time will have a shot at being who they should have been all along. Becoming Dr. Ronald P. Fishman and Butch Ryder, Charlie and Max find that their dead men alter egos have a wonderful secret hidden away and they travel down to Puerto Rico to claim their new spacious home, and at long last, the two are living on the top of the world. But all is not as it seems as the two men’s lives that Charlie and Max have taken over are not as care free as they expected. Being hunted down by a gymnast hitman, the two friends need to find out what other secrets these adopted identities have hidden from them before its too late.

I was hesitant to watch this movie, since the last Adam Sandler movie left me wanting so much more.  This one however was a huge step up and a little more adult for the most part, with not as many dick and fart jokes for example, but there were still plenty of those to be found. With the friendship theme playing throughout and finding out that everyone has their own secrets, good or bad, made it enjoyable. It seemed like it was more a story about Charlie and his downfalls and Max was just there to help him, but in the end Max is the one that needed the help. With the more adult feel to the story, I enjoyed this much more than I expected to, and a running gag on Bob that has a great payoff in the end, I found myself laughing more than cringing. As long as Sandler and Netflix continue to use this formula, I am sure that the movie making relationship between this team will continue to grow and prosper.  

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