Rob Schneider plays the titular character, Stan Minton, who is a small-time con artist with a reputation for being a pushover. After a botched con lands him in jail, he becomes terrified of being raped or physically assaulted by his fellow inmates. In a desperate attempt to avoid this fate, he hires a mysterious martial arts expert named The Master (played by David Carradine) to teach him how to defend himself.
The bulk of the movie focuses on Minton's training with The Master, who puts him through a grueling regimen of physical and mental exercises. Along the way, Minton has to confront his own weakness and learn to stand up for himself. He also gains the respect and friendship of some of his fellow inmates, including a massive and terrifying gang leader named Big Raymond (played by Kevin Gage).
Despite being a comedy, Big Stan tackles some serious themes, including prison violence, masculinity, and the pitfalls of con artistry. Schneider delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance as Minton, bringing depth and vulnerability to a character that could easily have been a one-dimensional joke. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Carradine and Gage in particular standing out.
Overall, Big Stan is a fun and engaging comedy that manages to be both raunchy and heartfelt. It's not perfect - some of the jokes fall flat, and the plot can be predictable at times - but it's definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of Schneider's humor or martial arts movies in general.