The Longest Yard (2005 film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article refers to the 2005 film. For the 1974 original, see The Longest Yard (1974 film).
The Longest Yard

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Peter Segal
Produced by Heather Parry
Written by Albert S. Ruddy
Sheldon Turner
Starring Adam Sandler
Chris Rock
Burt Reynolds
James Cromwell
Nelly
William Fichtner
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Kevin Nash
Music by Teddy Castellucci
Cinematography Dean Semler
Editing by Jeff Gourson
Distributed by Paramount Pictures / MTV Films (US)
Columbia Pictures (non-US)
Release date(s) May 27, 2005 (USA)
Running time 113 min.
Language English
IMDb profile

The Longest Yard is a remake of the 1974 film of the same name. The movie features inmates at a prison who play American football against their guards. Adam Sandler plays the hero, Paul Crewe, an ex pro-football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Burt Reynolds, the original Paul Crewe, plays a major role as Nate Scarborough, the head coach and a former Heisman Trophy winner from 1955. The rest of the cast includes Chris Rock, James Cromwell, Nelly, William Fichtner and a number of current and semi-retired football players and professional wrestlers including Michael Irvin, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bill Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Bob Sapp, Brandon Molale and Dalip Singh Rana.

Contents

[edit] Plot

 The plot summary in this article or section is too long or detailed compared to the rest of the article.
Please edit the article to focus on discussing the work rather than merely reiterating the plot.

An ex-NFL player disgraced for shaving points in a big game, Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler), gets in an argument with his rich girlfriend (Courteney Cox), gets drunk, and goes joy riding in her Bentley Continental GT in San Diego, California. After getting the car completely smashed up and destroying several police cruisers in the process, he gets arrested and sent to Allenville Penitentiary prison in Texas.

In prison, the warden Hazen (James Cromwell) asks Crewe to help with the prison guards' football team. After being roughed up a bit, Crewe (against his will) decides to help him. He informs the warden that what his team needs is a tune-up game: a game where they play a team and "kick the shit out of 'em, get their spirits up".

This gives the warden an idea: Crewe will make a team out of the inmates for them to play as their tune-up game. He starts off with a crack-job team, with the exception of Switowsky (Bob Sapp), who lifts a small bleacher full of men (fifty times was his final count) as an exercise. Although Switowsky is stupid and acts childish (he also can't read), he is big and strong. Crewe's efforts are noticed by a former football player, Nate Scarboro (Burt Reynolds), who is residing in the prison, and decides to help him by coaching the team. Then Crewe and his friend Caretaker (Chris Rock) find a rating system on the criminals (up to five stars, depending on how prone to violence they are). They all set out to find and recruit some five star inmates. But after realizing their team is built on power and there is no speed on the team, Crewe realizes he needs more players like Joey Battle (Bill Goldberg), a blocker, Turley (Dalip Singh Rana aka The Great Khali), a fullback and Torres (Lobo Sebastian), a chain-smoking outsider. Caretaker suggests that it is due to their lack of "brothers", as they only have one currently on their team, Switowsky, a defensive lineman.

They go to the African-American inmates, or referred to as The Brothers. Deacon Moss (Michael Irvin), their leader, declares that none of them want to play on his team because of Crewe's point-shaving history. So Crewe makes them an offer: Beat him at a game of 1 on 1 basketball, he won't bug them again. If he wins, however, they join the team. They play basketball and call their own fouls. Moss isn't playing fair though, and Crewe gets physically punished during the game. At one point in the game, Crewe actually gets punched. After losing, they tell him to leave. But one of them, named Earl Megget, (Nelly), impressed by his physical durability, steps up. He asks if they have any running backs on the team, and Crewe immediately gives him a starting position. The other black inmates are ashamed at this, ignoring him for "rolling with the white boys." The other teammates are awestruck by Megget's running ability.

After a tip from Unger (David Patrick Kelly) that Crewe and Megget are the only real offensive threats on the team, Captain Knauer (William Fichtner) (the guards' coach) decides that the guards should try to stop Megget by trying to get him to assault one of them and sticking him in solitary confinement. Three guards Dunham (Stone Cold Steve Austin), Garner (Brian Bosworth) and Engelheart (Kevin Nash) try to provoke Megget by using racial slurs and making him pick up books they dropped on the ground repeatedly. The guards give up on this after he stands through their harassment, and after witnessing this with Moss, Cheeseburger Eddy (Terry Crews) and the rest of the black inmates and others decide to join the team. The guards, now at a disadvantage with the black inmates on the team, go to extreme lengths to stop Crewe's squad, even flooding their field, but the team overcomes these obstacles.

Crewe suggests that since the guards have been playing dirty that the inmates should start acting more like criminals. After hearing this the inmates slip estrogen into the pill containers of the guards, who think they are taking steroids. The guards Garner, Engelheart, Holland and Lambert (Bill Romanowski) then decide to do something about Crewe, and have Unger plant a bomb in his room. Caretaker leaves a gift in Crewe's cell and is killed by the bomb planted there for Crewe.

During game day, initially it appears that the umpires are making unfair decisions, advantaging the guards and disadvantaging the inmates. After a second foul on Megget is ignored Crewe decides to use a totally different tactic. As normal the teams line up, but this time Crewe throws the ball directly at the umpire's groin. The wounded umpire carries on; albeit a bit dazed, only to have the same thing happen again. After a quick chat with Crewe, the umpire decide to play fair. After inflicting a lot of pain on the guards, the inmates (calling themselves "Mean Machine") catch up. The first half ends with the score tied. The warden is mad, and informs Crewe that if he doesn't lose then he would be framed for the murder of Caretaker. Crewe says spitefully, "Fine, but you get a 2 touchdown lead and you coast". The warden agrees to Crewe's face, but he tells the guards' quarterback to get ahead by three touchdowns and inflict as much pain as possible. After they score two touchdowns, they start injuring players before scoring a third touchdown. After the guards injure Big Tony and Brucie (Nicholas Turturro), Crewe goes back in. Problem is, the inmates don't trust him. He gets sacked twice while they're not blocking for him, then runs it in for a first down on fourth and 20 himself. After losing his helmet and still getting the first down, he admits his sabotage and they trust him again. They get back in it, but Megget gets hurt. The coach comes in, and scores a touchdown off the fumble. They decide to go for the two point conversion, and the win. They get up to the line and seem to be confused, and Crewe and Coach start arguing. After that, a receiver gets the snap and passes it to Crewe, who scores the winning conversion. Ultimately Captain Knauer respects Crewe's move and lets him know he will testify that Crewe had nothing to do with Caretaker's death.

The warden comes over and begins to admonish Captain Knauer for losing a fixed game and notices that Crewe is heading towards the exit along with the fans. Pulling a sniper over, he demands that Crewe be shot for attempting to escape. The sniper hesitates because of the numerous people near Crewe, so the warden grabs the rifle from the sniper and passes it to Knauer, demanding that he take the shot. Knauer sights up Crewe, but hesitates, calling out Crewe's name several times in an attempt to get him to stop. Seconds before pulling the trigger, Crewe does stop, picks up the ball and starts to head back. Knauer angrily hands the rifle back to the warden and leaves, while Crewe gives the game ball to the warden, telling them to "Stick it in his trophy case." Crewe and Scarborough head back towards the locker room, talking about what to do now, and agree that the first thing they should do is tell the others where Unger is hiding.

As the warden watches them leave, Moss and Battle pour a cooler of Gatorade on Hazen in a mockery of a typical football game celebration. The Warden angrily shouts that they'll receive a week in the hotbox. Battle yells back "who gives a shit?"

[edit] Response

The overall critical response was negative, as evidenced by its 30% overall rating on RottenTomatoes.com. Though they generally agreed that it was a play-by-play remake, the greatest complaint from critics was that it replaced the original's dark comedy and grit with juvenile humor and visual gags.[1]

Nevertheless, the film managed to do well at the box office. Its $47.6 million dollar opening weekend was the largest of Sandler's career and only second to The Day After Tomorrow as the largest opening by a movie that wasn't #1. The film would go on to gross $158.1 million domestically and $190 million worldwide, making it the highest grossing film produced by MTV Films. Despite the large number of remakes released at the theaters, it's worth noting that The Longest Yard is the highest grossing comedy remake of the modern box office era (from 1980 on).[2]

Roger Ebert, in the critical minority with this title, gave it a Thumbs Up, [3] defending it later in his Chicago Sun-Times review as a film that "...more or less achieves what most of the people attending it will expect." However, in the print review, Ebert beseeches his readers to "...seek out a movie you could have an interesting conversation about", citing films not in wide release such as Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist and Kontroll, until finally encouraging his readers to "drop any thought of seeing anything else instead" if they can see Crash.[4]

The film also earned Chris Rock a BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Theatrical Film.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Trivia

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • In the "Tree-Out" scene, a sample of music from the video game Half Life 2 is played.
  • The original 1974 The Longest Yard was rated "R", but the 2005 remake was rated PG-13. There was no PG-13 rating at the time of the original release, though the original's amount and nature of profanity use may still have earned it an R-rating. The remake had less profanity than the original.
  • The 1974 original was shot with spherical lenses with an original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, while the 2005 remake was shot with anamorphic lenses with an original aspect ratio of 2.35:1.
  • Burt Reynolds is one of the few actors to have a major role in a movie and a major role in its remake. Ed Lauter had a major role in the original, but only a cameo in the remake.
  • The stolen car switches from a Citroën SM in the original to a Bentley Continental GT; instead of escaping the police vehicles, Crewe collides with them in the remake.
  • During the basketball scene, rappers from D12 make a cameo appearance in the crowd (except Eminem). Swift comments "Look at this fake Slim Shady", in regards to Crewe showing up on the basketball court.
  • Eddie Albert, who starred in the original 1974 movie, died just one day before the movie would be released in theaters.
  • Switowski's line "I think I made him shit himself" and the subsequent repeating of the line by several different characters is a direct reference to the original, in which the line was instead "I think I broke his fuckin' neck." The line "I think I made him shit himself" is a quote from the original film and was used in the remake.
  • The 2005 remake was filmed at New Mexico State Penitentiary in Santa Fe. That was also the location of the infamous prison riot that lasted for two days, on February 2-3 of 1980, in which 33 prisoners were killed.
  • The film crew working on the 2005 remake built an additional guard tower between two cell blocks, on the steps of which Burt Reynolds' character introduces himself to Adam Sandlers' character.
  • Rob Schneider who had played an enthusiastic fan in The Waterboy, another film in which Sandler portrayed a football player, has a brief cameo where he reprises his cheer "You can do it!"
  • It seems as if the guards are playing Halo 2 in a scene where Unger reports to Captain Knauer about his spy work. In reality, they are merely watching the trailer featured on newer Halo: Combat Evolved XBOX disks.
  • The name of Nelly's character, Earl Megget, is most likely a reference to former Giant's RB Dave Meggett, who was an explosive runner and kick returner during the 90s. Dave Meggett has also had numerous run-ins with the law.
  • Adam Sandler states, while explaining the concept of a "tune-up game", that his college team would "always start out with somebody like Appalachian State, kick the livin shit out of them". Ironically, the Mountaineers pulled off one of college football's greatest upsets by beating the perennial powerhouse Michigan Wolverines in the 2007 Appalachian State vs. Michigan football game.
  • In the original, Mean Machine steals the guard's gear for the game. In the remake, Caretaker had gotten gear elsewhere.

[edit] Soundtrack

The Longest Yard
The Longest Yard cover
Soundtrack by Various Artists
Released May 24, 2005
Genre Soundtrack

[edit] Track listing

"Errtime" - feat Nelly"Errtime" Lyrics by Nelly, Jung Tru, King Jacob & Zachary Wallace Music by Phalon Alexander & Zachary Wallace Performed by Nelly featuring Jung Tru & King Jacob Produced by Jazze Pha for Futuristic Entertainment/Noontime Music Jung Tru & King Jacob perform courtesy of Derrty Ent. Nelly performs courtesy of Derrty Ent./Universal Records

"Talkin That Talk" Performed by David Banner & Chamillionaire.

"Boom Boom" by John Lee Hooker Performed by Big Head Todd & The Monsters featuring John Lee Hooker Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc. By Arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing John Lee Hooker performs courtesy of Virgin Records under license from EMI Film & Television Music

"Thunderstruck" by Angus Young & Malcolm Young Performed by AC/DC Courtesy of Epic Records By Arrangement with SONY BMG Music Entertainment

"Boom" by Nelly and G.A. Performed by Nelly Produced by G.A. Nelly performs courtesy of Derrty Ent./Universal Records

"Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by John Fogerty Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival Courtesy of Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group, Inc.

"Hella Good" by Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Gwen Stefani & Tony Kanal Performed by No Doubt Courtesy of Interscope Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

"If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" by Angus Young, Malcolm Young & Ronald Belford Scott (as Bon Scott) Performed by AC/DC Courtesy of Epic Records By Arrangement with SONY BMG Music Entertainment

"Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Cameron Muncey & Nicholas Cester Performed by Jet Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp. By Arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing

"Spirit in the Sky" Written & Performed by Norman Greenbaum Courtesy of Transtone Productions

"Stomp" by Murphy Lee, King Jacob, Prentiss Church & Fala Performed by Murphy Lee featuring King Jacob & Prentiss Church Produced by Fala Beats Murphy Lee performs courtesy of Derrty Ent./Universal Records King Jacob & Prentiss Church perform courtesy of Derrty Ent.

"Fly Away" by Kenneth Karlin, Adrea Monica Martin, Ivan A. Matias & Carsten Schack Performed by Nelly Produced by Rashad "Regus" Hill Contains a sample of "Still in My Heart" by Kenneth Karlin, Adrea Monica Martin, Ivan A. Matias & Carsten Schack Performed by Tracie Spencer Courtesy of Capitol Records, Inc. Nelly performs courtesy of Derrty Ent./Universal Records.

"Move" by Asani Charles & Bryan Bonwell Performed by Natasha Barr Courtesy of Spirit Music Group/BZEE ROC Music.

"Saturday Night Special" by Edward King & Ronnie Van Zant Performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd Courtesy of Geffen Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises.

"Oh My, Oh My!" by Asani Charles & Bryan Bonwell Performed by Nicole Kindle Courtesy of Spirit Music Group/BZEE ROC Music.

"Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)" by Allan Clarke, Roger Greenaway & Roger Cook Performed by The Hollies Courtesy of EMI Records Under License from EMI Film & Television Music.

"U Should Know" by Arnold Beasley, Aaron Martin & Ronald Ferebee, Jr. Performed by 216 Produced by Yonny for Yonny/Skelatune Productions 216 performs courtesy of Hustla Entertainment/Universal Records.

"Give It Up" by Alvertis Isbell, Marvell Thomas, Carlton Ridenhour, Gary Rinaldo & Sean DeVore Performed by Public Enemy Contains an interpolation of "Opus de Soul" by Alvertis Isbell & Marvell Thomas Courtesy of Terrordome Music LLC By Arrangement with Reach Global, Inc.

"Jack and the Ripper" by Michael Kamen & Buckethead Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

"My Ballz" by Denaun Porter, Ondre Moore, Deshawn Holton, Von Carlisle, Rufus Johnson, Marshall Mathers, Luis Resto & Henry Mancini Performed by D12 featuring Eminem Produced by Eminem Additional production by Luis Resto Contains elements from "Peter Gunn Theme" by Henry Mancini D12 performs courtesy of Shady Records/Interscope Eminem performs courtesy of Aftermath/Shady Records/Interscope.

"Mississippi Queen" by David Rea, Felix Pappalardi, Laurence Laing & Leslie West (as Leslie Weinstein) Performed by Mountain Courtesy of Columbia Records By Arrangement with SONY BMG Music Entertainment.

"Roll It Up" by Scott Kirkland & Ken Jordan Performed by The Chrystal Method featuring Scott Weiland Courtesy of Outpost Recordings/Geffen Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises.

"Narcotic" by Tommy Lee, Timothy Murray, Scott Kirkland & Scott Humphrey Performed by Methods of Mayhem featuring Scott Kirkland Courtesy of Geffen Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises.

"Fall-Off Truck"

"Cats and Dogs" by David Shire Courtesy of TriStar Pictures, Inc.

"Railroad Blues" Written & Performed by Wayne Hancock Courtesy of Bloodshot Records By Arrangement with DePugh Music.

"Greek House" by Thomas Newman Courtesy of Hollywood Records

"Oh" by Christopher Davis, Billy Squier, Joseph Ward Simmons, Darryl Matthews McDaniels, Lawrence Smith & Jason Mizell Performed by Union Turnpike Courtesy of Epic Records By Arrangement with SONY BMG Music Entertainment Contains a sample of "The Stroke" Written & Performed by Billy Squier Courtesy of Capitol Records Under License from EMI Film & Television Music Contains a sample of "Jam Master Jay" by Joseph Ward Simmons, Darryl Matthews McDaniels, Lawrence Smith & Jason Mizell Performed by Run-D.M.C. Courtesy of Profile Records, Inc./Arista Records, Inc. By Arrangement with SONY BMG Music Entertainment.

"Get Back (Clean Rock Mix)" by Ludacris (as Christopher Bridges) & Dominic Bazile Performed by Ludacris featuring Lazy Eye Additional vocals by Dolla Boy & Brolic D Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group Under license from Universal Music Enteprises.

"Bootleg" by John Fogerty Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival Courtesy of Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group, Inc.

"Higher Ground" by Stevie Wonder Performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers Courtesy of Capitol Records Under license from EMI Film & Television Music.

"Break U Off" by Keith Thornton & Kurt Matlin Performed by Kool Keith & Kutmasta Kurt Courtesy of Oglio/DMAFT Records.

"USC Drum Cadence" Performed by the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band Drumline.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Longest Yard - Movie Reviews, Trailers, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes
  2. ^ Comedy Remake Movies
  3. ^ Ebert & Roeper, Reviews for the Weekend of May 28 - 29, 2005
  4. ^ :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews :: The Longest Yard (xhtml)

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Films directed by Peter Segal

Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994) • Tommy Boy (1995) • My Fellow Americans (1996) • Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) • Anger Management (2003) • 50 First Dates (2004) • The Longest Yard (2005) • Get Smart (2008)