Werewolf in uniforms If it were not for the fateful meeting with the popular comedian and authoritative producer Adam Sandler, the stagnant supporting humorist Rob Schneider and would remain in the shadow of his star colleagues, basking in the rays of glory without much physical and emotional stress, as in the case of the tapes “Remove the periscope” (all the glory went to Kelsey Grammer) or “The Explosive” (the main star here is Van-Dam). And behind a string of episodic cameos in such films of his own production as “Mommy Son” and “Big Dad”, Adam Sandler brings his new friend Schneider to the forefront in the 1999 film “Call Man”. Suddenly, a rather stupid comedy became a real hit, which provided Schneider with another comedy, in which he again performed in the first roles. And that movie was 2001's Animal, which Sandler once again blessed. The director of the tape was at that time a debutant in the profession, Luke Greenfield, who subsequently shot the popular comedy Neighbor. Well, for the script of "Animal" in addition to the future director Tom Brady was also responsible for Schneider himself, which could not but affect the artistic frenzy of humor, because no one would argue that Rob became a full-fledged singer of "sort" jokes.
So, the plot of the film tells us the extraordinary story of a clinical loser Marvin (Schneider), who, although he works in a police station, is not a full-fledged police officer. Due to utter incompetence, the hero is instructed to monitor the accounting of physical evidence and draw up various documents of secondary importance. And when it seemed that the hero’s dreams of a police uniform and a badge will never come true, fate brings an unexpected turn into his life – the hero gets into a terrible accident, and from there to the operating table of an eccentric forest scientist who transplants organs of various animals to Marvin for the sake of the success of his inadequate experiments. Thus, yesterday’s loser becomes almost a provincial superhero without letting the villains pass, winning the heart of Rihanna’s seemingly inaccessible lover (Colleen Haskell) and showing Sisk’s envious colleague (John C. McGinley) who now plays the first violin. However, each side has two medals and incredible strength turns into an irrepressible animal instinct for the hero, which manifests itself in the acute need to hunt and search for a female for mating.
At first, you might think that in Schneider’s biography, the most dirty and nasty film is “Call Man”, because the theme of a licentious gigolo and his depraved clients guarantees an endless series of vulgarity. However, surprisingly, his film looks more or less decent in relation to the seemingly cute fantastic “Animal”. The filmmakers had a tremendous potential that would allow Marvin to display the very best abilities of our younger brothers. However, the plot decided to focus not on the running characteristics of the hero, not on his amazing ability to climb trees like a monkey, but on gaining an amazing sense of smell. But how will Rob Schneider use this, so to speak, talent? Of course, sniffing human ass, earning a reputation as a brilliant detective. In addition, the film simply savors episodes in which Schneider sniffs himself under the tailbone, licks the remains of the glaze from his feet and between them, urinates under the table and just while passing the obstacle course. Much attention was paid to Marvin’s intimate attraction to the goat, which later grew into his friendship with this species of animal in the comedy Don’t Joke with Zohan. However, Sandler himself plays the leading role in this film, and he does not allow Schneider to realize all his perverse fantasies. As for the “Animal”, the creators of the comedy managed to trivialize the pure image of the monkey girl, which one of the characters gives the main character as a lady of the heart for the evening. And it's just awful! Still, the more or less decent characteristics of the hero take up not so much time in the picture and look so simple, as if Schneider is burdened to play normal, decent episodes that tear him away from such a beloved primitive.
The romantic relationship between Marvin and Rihanna plays an important role in the plot. And here the main emphasis is on the classic hochma, when a chic woman meets with a frank one-and-a-half-meter loser, who even superpowers are not saved from their insignificance. And indeed, absurdity in the scenes of their dates at least ample, but according to the laws of the genre, they are equally destined to be together, because even a dirty fairy tale must have a happy ending. Also in the plot is introduced mandatory antihero and he becomes a colleague of Marvin, Sergeant Sisk. But do not expect any special intrigues and tricks from him. This is not very smart, but incredibly ambitious and athletic policeman who for the sake of his own self-affirmation finds Marvin the perfect target. And no new talent can change their relationship.
Of course, as in the case of “Call Man” and “Chicken”, in “Animal” Rob Schneider draws all the attention of the viewer to himself. However, do not expect that his character will somehow change in the course of the story. We meet his hero, Marvin, as a total nothingness (as rude as it sounds, but it is true) and he remains so until the very end. And no amount of surgery by a mad scientist helps here. Schneider in this film elevated his favorite image to the absolute and did not want to part with him and therefore we simply are not able to appreciate his acting talents, if any. Although sometimes it is his pathological stupidity and does not allow to finish viewing prematurely. Not everything is lost yet.
To the definitely successful elements of the film I can safely include a brilliant soundtrack. But Sandler’s staff composer Teddy Castelucci (Big Dad, Anger Management) did only half the job. Still, the rest was taken over by classical performers like Bob Marley, whose wonderful songs became almost the main decoration of the tape.
In conclusion, I want to say that "Animal" is a comedy by Rob Schneider in every sense. There is immense stupidity, disgusting vulgarity, feeble attempts to dictate morality to us and Adam Sandler in a cute cameo. However, something interesting in the film is still there, because it is not for nothing that you sit for viewing do not break away from the screen until the final credits. So this comedy can be called so bad, even good. Don’t expect anything amazing from the animal. Therefore, for an hour and a half you need to turn off your thinking and try to laugh at the simple “animal” humor of Rob and the company.
5 out of 10