Click (www.the-usher.com)

"I'm in control"

Michael Newman (Sandler) spends all his time at work as he tries to get a partnership at his architect firm but his family are missing him. As everything starts getting on top of him, things get so bad that he can't even find his TV remote, Michael decides to solve at least one problem. Heading down the local hardware store, Michael looks for a universal remote but after getting one from stockroom supervisor Morty (Walken), he realises that this is no ordinary remote. This isn't just a universal remote that can control the TV, DVD and all his other electrical appliances it can also control the universe.

Adam Sandler comedies are very hit and miss but is 'Click' going to have universal appeal or run out of battery power?

High concept comedies have popped up on Adam Sandler's movie résumé before. 'Little Nicky', 'Happy Gilmore', 'The Waterboy' to name but a few but it is in the simple, romantic comedies that he shines. Hits like 'The Wedding Singer' and '50 First Dates' are what he does best. 'Click' tries to combine the two but doesn't really work.

The idea of a universal remote been able to control the universe, allowing the user to use it to pause, rewind or fast forward their lives, exactly the same way you would use a DVD remote is an intriguing one and one that is ripe for comedy. The problem is that Sandler and long time directing colleague Frank Coraci (The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy) throws in a huge bucket of sugar and a dollop of drama. Giving nod and a wink to 'A Christmas Carol' and 'It's a Wonderful Life', the movie mixes in the usual angry, shouting humour that Adam Sandler is famous for with a sugary story about the importance of family but doesn't really do it that well.

If you like his usual angry style of shouting humour you should be pleased with the comedy in this movie. He reverts back to the comedic style that made he famous in the first place after trying something different with films like 'Punch-Drunk Love' and 'Spanglish'. His scenes with the 'Hoff', David Hasselhoff and the almost legendary Christopher Walken provide the bulk of the quality laughs.

It is the dramatic scenes between Michael and his family that really lets the movie down. While the always beautiful and talented Kate Beckinsale can cope with this type of dialogue and emotion, Adam Sandler really struggles to convey the drama effectively, as Michael tries to comprehend the effect the remote control has had on his life. When he needs to show anything that isn't anger or shouting, he shows his shortcomings as an actor and reveals that he really doesn't have many strings to his bow.

'Click' isn't a bad film but it is decidingly average. With Christopher Walken and David Hasselhoff a joy to watch, there is a little to enjoy but the film just ends up highlighting Adam Sandler's shortcoming as an actor. He really should just make movies with Drew Barrymore because she gets the best out of him, managing to curb some of his anger and shouting.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the presentation is good.

BONUS FEATURES

Cast and Crew Commentary
Director Frank Coraci, writer Steve Koren, executive producer Tim Herlihy and star Adam Sandler supply a fun and chatty commentary track for 'Click'. The group talk about using HD-Video to make the movie and the technical advantages it gives filmmakers. They also talk about the cast and the cameos in the film and the approach of the film. This is a good group commentary and one that fans of Adam Sandler will enjoy.

Deleted Scenes (3.07 mins)
Entitled 'Habeeboo can do it', 'Loser Guy returns', 'Fatty sandwich' and 'Sp-sp-spit it out', these short deleted scenes are not accompanied by a commentary or an introduction to say why they where removed.

Make me old and fat (6.54 mins)
Director Frank Coraci, special effects makeup artist Rick Baker, visual effects designer Jim Rygiel and stars Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale and Henry Winkler talk about how they make the characters old and made Adam Sandler fat.

FX on Click (5.09 mins)
Special effects coordinator John C. Hartigan, visual effects designer Jim Rygiel and star Kate Beckinsale reveal how visual effects were used to create Adam's shifts through time and him controlling the universe.

Design my Universe (4.46 mins)
Director Frank Coraci and production designer Perry Andelin Blake talk about creating the future.

Cars of the Future (3.09 mins)
Director Frank Coraci, special effects coordinator John C. Hartigan and production designer Perry Andelin Blake talk about creating futuristic cars for the movie.

Humping Dogs (1.11 mins)
Visual effects designer Jim Rygiel and star Kate Beckinsale talk about getting the dogs to act in the film.

Director's Take (4.22 mins)
Stars Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken, David Hasselhoff, Sean Astin, Julie Kavner and Sophie Monk talk about working with director Frank Coraci and what it was like on set.

Trailers
Previews of 'Facing Giants', 'Marie Antoinette', 'The Pursuit of Happyness', 'Running with Scissors', 'Stranger than Fiction' and 'Talladega Nights: The Ballard of Ricky Bobby'

OVERALL

The DVD bonus features for 'Click' are pretty average but then again so is the movie. Fans will be very happy however, as they will get to see more Adam Sandler.

DVD

Little Nicky

The Wedding Singer

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2006