This remake from Robert Aldrich film deals about a professional quarterback (Adam Sandler in the role of Reynolds)is sent to high-security prison for stealing his sweetheart's car(an unbilled Courtney Cox) . There, the warden chief (James Cromwell substituting to Edward Albert) forces him to put together an inmates team to play his semi-pro made up of wardens(led by William Fitchner substituting to Ed Lauter, here playing a cameo). The disgraced quarterback is caught among brutal wardens(Brian Bosworth,Steve Austin, Todd Holland) and embittered fellows prisoners( Nicholas Turturro,Lobo Sebastian, Bill Goldberg, among others) organizing a strong cons-versus -wardens match . He's helped by sympathetic inmate(Chris Rock) and veteran player con(Burt Reynolds).

This comic bone-crunching comedy is constituted by three parts, the first about introduction characters, the second part deals a football training and the third, dedicated to the game. Delightful serio-comic film about two likable crooks(Sandler, Rock),who became trainers of a motley group. This remake is as violent and humorous as the former film though no originality but rips off situations and scenes. The picture is plenty of violence, bone-crunching brutality, profanities , but also humor and amusing. Agreeable script by Tracy Keenan Wynn and production by Albert S. Ruddy , the same from Aldrich version that was remade in 2001 as ¨Mean machine¨(with Vinnie Jones Jason Statham and David Kelly) the original movie's British title. The motion picture is well directed by Peter Segal, usual director for Adam Sandler(50 first dates, Anger management) and comedies expert( Nutty professor, Naked gun: Final insult, Tommy boy) and recently filming ¨Get Smart¨. Rating: Acceptable rendition from classic movie for those who delight in football sports and crunching cruelty and with some moments very funny.

I watched the original 1974 version of this film just a week ago, so that film was very fresh in my mind when I then watched the 2005 remake. And, because of this, I was incredibly irritated by the remake. Why? Because it's not just a remake but a VERY close remake. While it has a few more one-liners in order to make it funnier and a few famous athletes, the plot is essentially the same...making it a very lazy remake. Now had the film taken some new direction or offered a few twists, I might have respected it more. But as it is, lazy is the only way I can describe this remake. The only thing positive about it was giving Burt Reynolds (the star of the original) a role in the remake...that did show some class.

The bottom line is that the remake is enjoyable to watch but I can't think of any reason not to just watch the original because it was so ORIGINAL! So, if you have to watch a sports comedy, try something else...perhaps "Waterboy"....but NOT this film unless you just want more of the same.

Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler) is a disgraced ex-football star. He has a fight with his girlfriend which leads a drunk driving chase. It lands him in prison for breaking his probation. He's personally requested by warden Hazen (James Cromwell) to help his prison guard football team. But guards Captain Knauer (William Fichtner) doesn't want him.

Adam Sandler is playing calm which is unusual, but I just don't see him as a football player. He has good fun exchanges with the fast talking Chris Rock. Rock is funny, but not much else. The football silliness isn't that funny either. And the game goes on for far too long. This is a long movie considering the simple story.