Need some Holiday Cheer?

If you haven't picked up some that good old-fashioned Holiday cheer yet,don't fret, tyy giving "Adam Sandlers Eight Crazy Nights" a try. Don't be put off by the animation because you will miss a decent story.

I thought it was a little weird for Sandler to delve into animation, but this observation was unjustified. Sandler voiced many of the characters himself, although at times the voices irritated me like chalk on a chalkboard. The animation wasn't anything outstanding, but some of the effects used in the simple animation were inspired. There were many crude pieces of humor, but hey, this is co-written by Sandler, right?

The story centers around Sandler's character(Davey Stone), who looks like a cartoon version of himself. He a good boy gone bad and he hates Christmas and Hanukkah in particular. All the townspeople dislike him and he's generally what people would call a loner.
He gets in trouble with the law and must face the court, but before a sentence is handed down, a town good-doer, Mr. Whitey(also voiced by Sandler), comes to his rescue. Whitey referees the local boy's basketball team, has been doing so for years, and now needs some help. The judge agrees to allow this as long as their are no slip ups.

Sandler is indifferent to the kind help of Whitey, but in order to avoid charges he goes along. The two must learn to get along with each and both find each others personal habits grating.

One of Whitey's favorite places to let off steam is the Mall. This is one area where the animator's shine. The reproduction of the mall was specular in detail. Everything from the food court with "Panda Express" to "Spencer's and "Radio Shack." I guess in a way it was sort of a commercial to shop, but I found it appropriate and it gave me a little of that Holiday feeling.

(In a scene where, Davey breaks into the mall at night, after having a run-in with Whitey. All the trademarks of different boutiques come to life to give him the true lesson of the Season.)

While in the mall, Sandler's character meets his childhood sweetheart, Jennifer(voiced by Jackie Titone.) Her husband left her with a child to raise. She is back in town unbeknowest to him. He must keep up his image as a troublemaker and acts rudely to her and her son(voiced by , but there's obviously still a place in his heart for her. Davey has a soft spot for her son, Ben (voice of Austin Stout) too!

Along the way, in this holiday saga,hitey and Davey learn to respect each other, but that tie becomes undone in an afternoon, when Whitey risks telling Eleanor, Whitey's sister(also voiced by Sandler), asks about his past. It's a sad story of losing his parents in a car accident.

This is when Davey breaks into the Mall drunk and has a good needed cry. The police are called in, but Davey manages to escape.

Meanwhile, Whitey and Eleanor make plans for an annual town celebration. Whitey is expecting a patch for service and recognition to the community, but he doesn't know the townspeople think he's a joke. This is sort of a second story woven into the main theme. And, it tells of how careless and thoughtless some people can be to the "salt of the earth."

As Davey looks on from an outside window, we see the service patch given to another more prominent community member. Jennifer and Davey try to stick up for the affable Whitey, but ridiculed for doing so.

Whitey retreats to the only place he knows solace: The Mall. While in it's dark corridors, he hears a voice telling him he is special. It's Davey! And, all the townspeople in the tiers!

Apparently, Davey and Jennifer turned the townspeople around because now they have nothing but admiration and respect for Whitey. The man with the patch, who looks like Jon Levitz, and voiced by him hands it over to him. The previous years winners, who line the tier of the mall, toss their patches down to Whitey too! It's a touching moment for Whitey and what is in character for him, he fall to the ground in spasms of delight.

The movie ends on that quick note, but the movie filters past your defenses and takes your guard down. This movie is suprisingly refreshing.

The movie doesn't place all the attention on Christmas and we see a more subdued and quiet Jewish holiday observed as well.

Some of the other notable players were:

Tyra Banks: Victoria's Secret gown
Rob Schieder(very much in character): Chinese Restaurant waiter/ narator.
Carl Weathers: GNC guy

See you at the movies, solo.