The release of “ Happy Gilmore 2 ,” the Netflix sequel to the 1996 comedy hit, is just days away. While Hollywood hot shots might be sweating audience awareness polls or gauging social media chatter, Tim Herlihy — who co-wrote both films with star Adam Sandler — has a more pressing concern: catching up with yard work at his quiet Connecticut home.

Ethan Anderton of SlashFilm says Happy Gilmore 2 takes a big swing but completely whiffs it by doing something unforgivable in the opening sequence from which it can never recover. The sequel is, per the critic, “a poor excuse for nostalgic comedy, and you'd have more fun getting a colonoscopy with a rake.” Anderton gives it a 2 out of 10, writing: