“Little Nicky” is not considered one of Adam Sandler’s best films … although we can say the same thing about several of his most unhappy films. The fantastic comedy was a financial flop when it was released in 2000, despite Sandler on a vague momentum after successes like “Billy Madison” and “Big Daddy”. In addition, the film mainly won negative criticism from criticism – which, to be fair, is also an integral part of Sandler’s films. That being said, “Little Nicky” has its defenders (this writer included), because it is one of the rare comedies with angels, demons, speaking dogs, more slabal metalheads and giant birds that hunt frightening men. Not only that, but he has a memorable cameo of the late Ozzy Osbourne, which helps to prevent one of Satan’s sons from resuming the world.
Before digging the importance of Ozzy’s cameo on the plot, we must explore the events that led upon his arrival. “Little Nicky” sees Sandler playing the titular character, who is also the literal son of the devil (Harvey Keitel). Unlike his two brothers, Adrian (Rhys Ifans) and Cassius (Tommy Lister Jr.), however, Nicky is a nice child, and he is not completely in line with his demonic side. However, he must learn to exploit his infernal powers after his brothers took a break for the earth and try to initiate Armageddon, because to finish their mission will kill their old man.
Go quickly towards the end of the film, and time is exhausted for the devil. If Nicky does not bring his brother Adrian back to hell before the chronometer strikes midnight, their old man will die. With a minute to do, Adrian turns into a bat and try to fly away – until Ozzy arrives.
The little cameo of Nicky d’Ozzy pays tribute to his most sadly famous career waterfall
Adam Sandler’s films are not afraid to grasp the low fruits, and the cameo of Ozzy Osbourne in “Little Nicky” reflects this notion. The leader of the Black Sabbath emerges from a ball of light – which was given to Nicky by his mother Angélique after visiting paradise (it’s a long story) – and delighted his appetite for bats. Ozzy bites Adrian’s creepy head and spits him in a bottle before the demon can fly away. Nicky then brings the bottle back to hell, just in time to save his father, and they live happy forever.
Of course, Ozzy’s Camée is also a reference to this infamous concert from 1982 to monks, Iowa, where he bit the head of a bat – a moment that undoubtedly defined his career as much as his real music. However, if your film has a scene where one of the moments of payment forces someone to chew a bat, why not bring the legend of the Heavy Metal which received the notoriety for having accomplished such an act?
The cameo may not be as surprising as the role of Ozzy in “Trick or Treat”, in which he plays a reverend, but it is fun all the same. In addition, the musician is described as a greater than life royalty in “Little Nicky”, honoring his status of one of the founding fathers of hard rock music. He also helps to save the world, giving him one of the most important scenes of what is also a deliciously eccentric film.
