Review of Big Stan

However, I can't say, I hate this prison comedy directed and produced by Rob Schneider, who also starred in the film. It was more like a mixed bag for me. There were some parts that was honestly quite funny and entertaining. Yet, there were a lot of moments in the film, that wasn't. Written by Josh Lieb, the film tells the story of a real estate con artist named Stan Minton (Rob Schneider) who panics when he learns that he is going to prison for fraud. Fearing that, he might be rape by the other inmates, he trained himself in the martial arts in order to survive, only to find out that it's the people that run the big house that he needs to watch out for. Without spoiling the movie, too much, I have to say, I personally didn't find the jokes too offensive, but I did find the film, badly written. First off, the movie does overuse the 'male penetration' joke, way too much, that it become tiresome. Jokes about it, are recycle, throughout the film. It's annoying, how often, they bring it up. Honestly, the movie would had been a lot funnier, if he thought he would had been rape by these ruffians, only to discover, that the other inmates are civilize gentlemen who doesn't such things. It would make this movie stand out from other prison comedies. Something similar in the line of Rob Schneider's performance in 1993's 'Demolition Man'. Kinda like a fish out of water story. Just saying. Anyways, we don't really see, as the movie spent the first half, parodying martial arts movies like 1984's 'Karate Kid'. While, it was cool to see Stan, train with his mentor, the Master (David Carradine) and become a badass. I just disappointed that it goes in a snail pace. It takes forever for Stan to get to the prison. It's clear from the first half that this prison comedy, was really lacking in direction. The second half of the movie is way different from the first half with the evil warden subplot. It's seems like two different movies. Not only does it seem come out of nowhere, but the warden's action is so clichés. Can't we have a prison movie, with a good warden for once!? Because of this, I felt like, I was watching badly made comedy version of 1994's 'Shawshank Redemption' and 1967's 'Cool Hand Luke'. Yet, I do have to say, I like the appearance of actor, Scott Wilson. He's one of the best things about this movie. He's always great in showing seniority. However, his character's plan doesn't make sense. Wouldn't inciting a riot, be jail time!? Did he not think the prison board wouldn't do an investigation on it? Anyways, I found the 'get rich' plan somewhat stupid. Still, I have to say, the supporting cast that make up the inmates, were also very memorable. My favorite has to be, Bob Sapp as Big Raymond and Henry Gibson as Shorts. Even if they playing one-dimensional parody of characters, we seem before. Nevertheless, I really doubt in real life, the enemies of Stan would be friends with him toward the end, after trying to kill him, in the beginning of the film. It seems a little too unrealistic. Still, I did like how unlikeable Stan had a moral character arch in the film. It really did help, make this movie, somewhat watchable, because I really couldn't stand him, in the beginning. Also, it's nice to see Rob Schneider put some effect in learning, some Martial Arts moves and doing most of his own stunts. It's also nice to see David Carradine pop up here and there parodying his other Kung-Fu related works. I just wish, there was more of a reason on why he was helping Stan. His character seem to come, a bit out of nowhere. Other characters like M. Emmett Walsh as Stan's corrupt lawyer, Lew Popper and Jennifer Morrison as Stan's wife, Mindy was equally as fun to be with. Plus, the movie has a cameo of Rob's best friend, Adam Sandler that most people who watch the film, wouldn't probably notice, unless they saw his name on the credits. It's a small Easter egg. Overall: The offensive dark humor, mean-spirit jokes, crude sexual innuendo, racism and lewd language might turn some viewers away, but for me, it was meh. I saw worst in similar plots like 2016's 'Get Hard'. Still, I really can't recommended watching as the movie is highly pointless and stupid. It's no 2002's '25th hours'. Take this review as get out of jail free card and bypass watching this film.