Flashback Review: Anger Management

GOOSEFRABA! – Buddy Rydell

After a commotion on an airplane, David Buznik is sentenced to an “Anger Management” program. His therapist, Buddy Rydell attempts to calm him down using unorthodox methods. Hilarity Ensues with the latter who also has short fuse. Released in 2003 (same year Teen Titans aired) earning mixed reviews from critics and managed to recoup expenses at the box office.

I have two good reasons why I wanna review Anger Management.

1. Adam Sandler is working on a Grown Ups 3. I heard about it when Rob Schneider confirmed his involvement signing autographs and taking pics with people at Fan Expo Dallas 2025.
2. Adam will star in a Netflix crime thriller titled, “Time Out” along with Willem Dafoe.

Today’s review contains no SPOILERS whatsoever.

Right & Wrong Aspects

Right: Adam Sandler & Jack Nicholson both did a splendid job for their respective performances.

Other Cast Members such as Marisa Tomei, John Turturro, Luis Guzmán, Allen Covert, Jonathan Loughran & Kevin Nealon all did a decent job for their respective performances.

Happy Madison co-founder, Jack Giarraputo served as a producer.

Funny Moments made me laugh so hard. My favorite’s the monk fight. Definitely earns Bonus Points. It’s ten times funnier than these unfunny comedies from 2003.

• Gigli
• Just Married
• Kangaroo Jack
• The Lizzie McGuire Movie
• Daddy Day Care
• Rugrats Go Wild
• Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
• From Justin to Kelly
• Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle
• Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde
• Spy Kids 3D: Game Over
• Uptown Girls
• My Boss’s Daughter
• Good Boy!
• Scary Movie 3
• Looney Tunes: Back in Action
• The Cat in the Hat
• The Haunted Mansion
• Love Don’t Cost a Thing

Cinematography’s shot in stable condition.

Pacing didn’t feel like a slow burn.

David’s chemistry with Buddy serves as the main highlight.

A fart made me laugh uncontrollably.

Random Thoughts

1. Exploding in my pants quote went over my head as a kid. Now that I’m older, it’s funny as heck.
2. I’m giving Anger Management credit for introducing me to “West Side Story.” The song, “I Feel Pretty.” When I was in middle school, my classmates and I snickered when we saw Natalie Wood singing the song. The class studied “Romeo & Juliet.” West Side Story’s based on it.
3. I’m also giving this movie credit for introducing me to another tune, “You Make Feel Like Dancing.” I also can’t take that song seriously.

Fun Facts

1. Buddy watches “Tomcats” on an airplane. Which is Revolution Studios first film. I also found out Dakota Fanning made her film debut. She eventually worked with Mr. Nicholson’s close friend, Sean Penn in “I Am Sam.” I wanna see Adam & Dakota in a movie together.
2. Steve Carell’s wife, Nancy appears as a flight attendant.
3. January Jones (Emma Frost from X-Men: First Class) has an early role as one of Buddy’s patients.
4. A fat cat’s named, Meatball. A reference to Adam’s pet bulldog.

Angry characters in 2003 were a trend. David Buznik isn’t the only one.

• Wolverine – X2: X-Men United and X2: Wolverine’s Revenge
• Angelica Pickles – Rugrats Go Wild
• Ang Lee’s Hulk
• Raven – Teen Titans
• Stitch – Stitch! The Movie
• Homer Simpson – The Simpsons: Hit & Run
• Jak – Jak II
• Marvin the Martian & Tasmanian Devil – Looney Tunes: Back in Action
• Willie – Bad Santa
• Gimli – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• Yusuke Urameshi – YuYu Hakusho
• Goku & Vegeta – Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2
• Vic Mackey – The Shield

Heather Graham, Woody Harrelson & John C. Reilly make brief appearances.

Derek Jeter & Rudy Giuliani make cameo appearances.

Somebody fires a water gun disguised as a real gun. Reminds me of Adam’s other movie, “Airheads.” The Lone Rangers armed themselves with toy guns with pepper sauce as ammo.

An orange fat cat appears. Foreshadowing the live-action kitty excrement, “Garfield.”

A bar fight ensues with a blind guy involved. Ben Affleck’s Daredevil also participated in a bar fight.

A Plot Twist changes everything. Still a better twist than Ang Lee’ Hulk & “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.”

Wrong: Product Placement featuring brands such as Lexus, Post Consumer Brands, Ranger Rover, Samuel Addams, French’s & Heineken.

At 46:38 mark, David calls outside standing in a balcony. New York City in the background looks obviously fake. You can tell it’s a green screen. Would’ve saved them money to film in an actual balcony.

The Final Verdict: B, FOR BREATHER!

Anger Management is a legit comedy. Skip Charlie Sheen’s TV show in favor of well written jokes. A darn shame we never got a Buddy Rydell spin-off or a sequel. You can’t win ‘em all. If you’re looking for something that’ll make you laugh so hard, give it a watch.