Notwithstanding the mysteriously rank Bulletproof, Adam Sandler has never had to sell out. (Yes, Little Nicky had a large budget and was overly ambitious and grandiose, but it was pure Sandler insanity). From his first beat down of kindergartners in Billy Madison to his latest beat down of a Buddhist monk in Anger Management, Sandler has always been allowed to go with his own flow, supply his brand, do what he thinks is funny – like beating people down who rarely if ever get beaten (Bob Barker comes to mind). The reason he has been allowed to be himself for so long in a town where conformity is the status quo (despite what all the “artists” there will tell you) is the most simple explanation in all the land: His movies make bus-loads of money.
Adam (I can call him this because we're both Jewish) knows what his audience wants and he never changes a thing (see Punch Drunk Love for a film where Sandler doesn't change a thing in a new way) – he has his little Happy Madison (production studio) cash and smile making machine down to scientific formula. He will keep reheating the harmless formula and serving it up over and over again until we are satisfied. In other words, Anger Management does not really deserve an actual review. If you have seen any Sandler film besides the aforementioned Bulletproof and Punch Drunk Love, you have essentially seen Anger Management. It is of the same mediocre, but entertainingly formulaic quality, significance, and interest as all the rest – don't let Jack's presence fool you.
The Sandler formula: Luckless regular guy + standoffish personality