Directed by Dennis Dugan, and written by Adam Sandler, Tim Herlihy, and Fred Wolf, Columbia Pictures’ “Grown Ups 2″ out today stars Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, Maria Bello, and Nick Swardson.

After “Grown Ups” became the most financially successful film in Adam Sandler’s long career, it was only a matter of time until “Grown Ups 2″ was made. Bringing back Dennis Dugan to direct and all of the same old friends (excluding Rob Schneider), “Grown Ups 2″ is pretty much more of the same as “Grown Ups.” The bathroom humor is back, the juvenile behavior is at an all-time high, and while it may not be the funniest film of the year, it’s still funny enough to have a few good laughs.

Taking place on the last day of school, the film opens up with Feder family. Lenny Feder (Adam Sandler) wakes up to find a wild buck in his bedroom, only to create chaos once his wife, Roxie (Salma Hayek) startles the buck as it rampages around the house. We then cut to Eric Lamonsoff (Kevin James) and his wife Sally (Maria Bello) trying to build up their young son’s confidence. As Bean continues to answer math questions wrong, all Eric and Sally do is say he’s correct and encourage him.

After the Lamonsoff family, we find ourselves with the McKenzie’s, with Kurt (Chris Rock) preparing for his day as the rest of his family makes breakfast as their newest child dances around. Kurt and his wife Deanne (Maya Rudolph) argue over whose turn it is to clean the dirty diaper, and with Deanne losing that debate she can only be surprised to find a box with a beautiful necklace for their anniversary–that she forgot about. Finally, we find ourselves with Higgy (David Spade) on the phone with a former lover who he is surprised to learn he has a child with. As he’s waiting for the train with a teddy bear, he finds himself the father of 13 year-old man-child Braden (Alexander Ludwig).

While there isn’t much of a plot to be seen, “Grown Ups 2″ focuses more on teaching lessons for the young kids: how to pick up girls, stand up to bully’s, the basic life lessons for high-schoolers. Shockingly, the film did have touching moments with Lenny and his three children as well as Higgy learning how to be a father for Braden. Both Sandler and Spade really do step it up when it comes to the more dramatic elements in the film. James and Rock are left to do more of the comedic sequences, James in particular with his ability to “burpsnart” (it’s probably better if you don’t ask).

While the main cast was funny, the best bits probably went to the supporting cast. “Grown Ups 2″ had no shortages of people or cameos, ranging from Stone Cold Steve Austin to Taylor Lautner. The funniest part of the movie had to be any part with Shaquille O’Neal as one of two boneheaded cops. Taking Rob Schneider’s place in the film was Nick Swardson, who played Nick Hilliard, an alcohol bus driver who is the brother of Schneider’s character. While Swardson has some funny parts, his moments felt forced and the film probably could have survived without them.

One of the more disappointing parts of the film was the lack of screen time for the females. Hayek, Bello, and Rudolph were all great with the limited screen time they were given, but the film is so centered on the core four that these three are pushed aside. It’s very possible that we’ll see a “Grown Ups 3,” and hopefully by then these three wonderful actresses will get more of a chance to shine instead of just being on the sidelines.

All in all, “Grown Ups 2″ is a fun film that you can watch with family and friends and have a nice time. It may not be the best comedy of the year, but it’s still something you could sit through and have a few good laughs.

Rating: 6/10

-Joshua Kaye