Unlike most critics, I actually embrace and cherish Adam Sandler films. Although I thought The Waterboy was quite weak, I enjoyed the hell out of Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, and Big Daddy. I even liked Bulletproof and Airheads. I should also point out that I don't consider the awful Mixed Nuts to be a Sandler film. I think the guy has a goofy charm and a hipness lacking in the current crop of comedians-turned actors. It really disheartens me to report that Little Nicky is a sad excuse for a movie.

The film opens strong enough, with a hilarious cameo by Jon Lovitz as a peeping Tom. But slowly, Little Nicky dissipates into an unfunny borefest, that only offers hints of life and that dopey sense of humor we come to expect from Sandler. In Sandler's defense, he's actually not as annoying as I thought he'd be, despite that ridiculous accent. The problem lies in Sandler the screenwriter. There are very few laughs in this picture and Sandler and his writing crew resort to cheap, unfunny bathroom humor and a stupid talking dog. There is even a lame bit with Hitler. Everything that seemed to work well in South Park's vision of hell fails miserably here.

Most of the film's best moments are provided by the slew of big name cameos; including Reese Witherspoon, Carl Weathers (in his famous Happy Gilmore role), Henry Winkler, Kevin Nealon, Harvey Keitel, Quentin Tarantino, Lovitz, Dana Carvey, Rob Schneider, Tiny Lister and a laugh out loud moment featuring legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne. Even these talented people can't keep this film afloat. Patricia Arquette is horribly miscast in an uninspired and completely underwritten role as the love interest. I see a potential for greatness when I look at Sandler. There were hints of it in his sweet natured performance in The Wedding Singer. Little Nicky sure ain't it. This is positively the worst Sandler vehicle ever, and it's a damn shame. Watching this tedious, ill conceived comedy is like spending an eternity in hell.