Sandler plays Paul Crewe, the former superstar but now disenfranchised NFL quarterback who allegedly shaved points in the playoffs. Crewe is sent to maximum security prison in Texas, which not only houses the worst inmates, but also a top tier guard football team, whose members include NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski.

This movie certainly does not lack star power as Chris Rock, Burt Reynolds, rap star Nelly, NFL great Michael Irvin, Romanowski, and wrestlers Stone Cold Steve Austin and Goldberg all play roles on one team or another.

The involvement of Reynolds as the Mean Machine’s coach Nate Scarborough was a crucial aspect in the remake of this classic. Reynolds played Crewe in the original filming back in 1974 and his involvement appeased critics who feared Sandler would turn this memorable movie into a mockery.

However, critics should have been less concerned about Sandler’s success in portraying Crewe and more concerned about the rest of the cast. With Nelly, Irvin, Romanowski, Austin, and Goldberg playing key roles, this movie had the potential for disaster. Surprisingly these real life characters fell into their designated roles perfectly, which is a testament to director Peter Segal and the entire casting crew. Irvin and Nelly, both of whom have some experience in show business, did particularly stellar jobs with their lines.

While the rest of the cast did their job of not screwing anything up, Sandler and Rock did the rest. Sandler used hardcore humor and one liners were relics of his original approach to comedy, while Rock, who played Caretaker, Sandler’s best friend in prison, was simply himself. Rock’s gentle but direct pokes at all races nicely package a comedy that provides the American man with the two things he wants most: football and a lot of laughs.