If you’re a media critic, it’s easy to dismiss an actor who likes to talk in a man-baby voice. Who likes a good groin injury joke, who delivers news commentary as an opera aria. But if you’re an Adam Sandler fan, that kind of stuff can make him a hero for an entire generation.

Consider the Rotten Tomato scores for his early box office hits, the movies most replayed on TV. Critics gave Billy Madison 40 per cent, while viewers gave it 79. Critics gave Happy Gilmore 65, and viewers gave it 85. The Waterboy has 32 from critics, but from viewers a full 71. Mr. Deeds got a paltry 22 from media outlets; audiences tipped it at 59. Even The Wedding Singer has 72 from critics, compared to a viewer-endorsed 80.

For fans, Sandler specializes in entertaining movies with a feel-good factor — his 2006

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