Adam Sandler's Jack and Jill as reviewed by Matt Mungle in The Phantom TollboothIf you can't be original then at least be entertaining. This has a lot of heart, a good message, and enough potty humor to fill every stall in Cowboy Stadium. Your mileage may vary.

There is nothing original under the sun. So if you can't be original then at least be entertaining. Drag comedy is as old as cinema; and America just keeps on laughing. This time around it is Adam Sandler donning the dress in the new, holiday film Jack and Jill. This one takes on sibling rivalry, family tolerance, and tosses in a bevy of celebrity cameos; so silly entertainment abounds.

Jack (Adam Sandler) is a successful L.A advertising exec who isn't looking forward to his twin sister Jill (Adam Sandler) visiting from the Bronx for Thanksgiving. Jack has a beautiful wife (Katie Holmes) and two smart, young children. Jill is a bit passive-aggressive with a heart as big as her self-confidence is small. She is overbearing and doting and drives Jack up a wall. When she overstays her welcome it is just about all he can take.

All the funny moments from the trailer take place in the first 20 minutes of the film and I was worried there wouldn't be anything left to engage an audience. The fear was the remaining 70 minutes would be unsuccessful Sandler jokes and pratfalls. But luckily this has a lot of heart, a good message, and enough potty humor to fill every stall in Cowboy Stadium. This film takes advantage of its PG rating and aims a lot of the humor toward the 12 and under group. Yet it is amazing how the adults laughed just as loud, in spite of themselves.

If you want to play a fun game, try and catch all the cameo's and bit parts by the barrage of SNL alumni. Sandler gathered all his old pals for this one and it makes for a decent addition to the film. Many are on screen only for seconds but it is amusing to try and name each one in your head. One surprising element is the large part that Al Pacino plays in this film. Jack's company is trying to woo the real Pacino into an ad campaign. It is only when Al falls for Jill that Jack thinks he can use that for his benefit. I kept watching the scenes unfold and asking myself why "the" Al Pacino would be doing this. This is Don Michael Corleone chasing around Adam Sandler in a dress. So sad, but kudos to Sandler for getting him to do it. I guess work is work.

Jack and Jill is rated PG for crude and sexual humor, language, comic violence and brief smoking. There is nothing in here that you should worry about your 11 and up family members seeing. If you are too sophisticated for poop jokes and big underwear then of course steer clear. Even with the abundant scenes of Al trying to get Jill to date him the younger movie goers still seemed engaged. The film has a terrific message about loving family members and standing up for them regardless of how annoying they are. Sandler has mellowed lately and seems to be focusing on family films that try and teach a message without trying too hard. I give it 3 out of 5 online dates. Maybe a better renter than a full paid theater ticket yet I laughed quite a bit; as did most who can embrace their inner juvenile side.

3tocks

Review copyright 2011 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.