Everybody's a critic: 'The Longest Yard'

Three stars (out of four)

This movie is about Paul "Wrecking" Crewe (Adam Sandler) who used to be a superstar pro football player, but seems to be fading out of the spotlight. Crewe ends up in the same prison as former college champ and coach, Nate Scarboro (Burt Reynolds).

Crewe is asked to put together a team of inmates to take on the security guards in a football game. Crewe enlists the help of Scarboro to coach the inmates to victory in a football game that is "fixed" to turn out another way.

This movie had a lot of cameo appearances by former pro football stars, as well as rapper Nelly. Nelly plays a surprisingly layered character for the brief time he is on screen. I really enjoyed Chris Rock's character in this movie, but Adam Sandler's character is much like his characters in his other movies, though not as silly or goofy in this one.

The movie tries too hard at being about "doing the right thing" and takes on the vibe of most sports-related movies, but if you're looking for a laugh, this one will do it for you. If you're looking for a good story with depth, I would look elsewhere.

-- LaRisa Brookins, customer service representative

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Two stars (out of four)

The movie takes place in Texas, which everybody is supposed to know is a state that is serious about two things: football and prisons. Adam Sandler, who plays the part of Paul Crewe, a pro football player who has disgraced himself and the game of football by shaving points to throw a game. In a drunken stupor, Crewe violates his parole when he steals his lady friend's Maserati and is jailed for his nasty behavior.

Crewe finds himself in a Texas prison, and is told he will coach the inmate football squad against the prison guards' team or else suffer the consequences.

If you want to have a good laugh, then go see the movie. If you are looking for a movie with a serious message or suspense to it, then don't go. The movie makes fun of everything in our society. In the end Crewe does the right thing, but there are a lot of other little things that take away from the movie in trying to get this point across.

This movie does have violence and some very colorful language.

-- Willetta Brookins, administrative assistant

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One star (out of four)

Starring Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, and Burt Reynolds, this snore fest gave me eyestrain from excessive rolling. Think of every sports movie cliche. Now, combine that with every prison movie cliche. Mix in a bit of "Hogan's Heroes" and you've got "The Longest Yard."

I feel a little unqualified to comment on this movie as I never saw the original, but I know a turkey when I see one.

There isn't much humor in this alleged comedy, and what's there is labored and predictable.The film is riddled with plastic moments of inspiration, usually highlighted by dramatic music and one or more characters walking in slow motion toward the camera.

It does have one bit of brilliance -- a clever product placement device makes this film an almost two-hour commercial for McDonald's.

Save your money. Wait for this movie to come out on cable.

-- Bryce Eddings, credit manager