Watch The Longest Yard

The Longest Yard is a 2005 American sports comedy movie directed by Peter Segal and starring Adam Sandler in the lead role of Paul "Wrecking" Crewe. The film is a remake of the 1974 movie of the same name, which was directed by Robert Aldrich and starred Burt Reynolds. In the 2005 version, Reynolds also appears, but this time in the role of Coach Nate Scarborough.

The movie tells the story of Paul Crewe, a former NFL quarterback who has fallen on hard times. He is arrested for stealing his girlfriend's Bentley and, as a result, is sentenced to serve three years in a Texas prison. While in prison, he is recruited by the sadistic warden to coach the prison football team. The team must play against the guards' team, who are the reigning champions of a semi-pro league.

At first, Crewe is reluctant to take the job, but he eventually agrees when he realizes that the prisoners are being gunned down by the guards during practice sessions. The prisoners form a team and select Crewe as their captain, hoping to get their revenge on the guards in a game that takes place on the prison's football field. The twist is that the game is rigged, and the prisoners must find a way to defeat the guards despite the odds being stacked against them.

As the story unfolds, we see how Crewe and the other prisoners develop a camaraderie and learn to work together as a team. Some of the supporting characters that help to flesh out the movie's ensemble cast include Caretaker (played by Chris Rock), one of the prisoners who helps Crewe recruit the players and runs the team's various schemes; Deacon Moss (played by Michael Irvin), one of the prisoners who is initially reluctant to join the team but eventually becomes one of its most valuable players; and Skitchy Rivers (played by Nelly), one of the prisoners who provides the team with its hip-hop style and beats.

The Longest Yard is not just a movie about football; it also has a strong social commentary on the prison system and the abuse of power. The movie portrays the prisoners as complex individuals with their own hopes and dreams, rather than as criminals to be feared and avoided. The movie shows the difficulties of trying to maintain one's dignity and humanity in such an oppressive environment.

The film uses humor and wit to balance out some of the heavier themes. There are plenty of amusing moments throughout the movie, especially during the training sessions and the game itself. It's a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, but it also doesn't overlook the more serious issues at play. The cast is excellent, with Adam Sandler delivering one of his more nuanced performances as the troubled but ultimately endearing Paul Crewe.

Overall, The Longest Yard is a well-crafted and entertaining movie that offers a satisfying combination of humor and drama. It manages to be both a remake that pays homage to the original and a film that stands on its own. It's a movie that will appeal to football fans and non-fans alike, and one that leaves a lasting impression long after the credits have rolled.

The Longest Yard is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 48.