It’s a comedy with UFC action. Does it work? J.P. reviews “Here Comes The Boom,” starring Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Charice, and Henry Winkler.
“HERE COMES THE BOOM”
Columbia Pictures
Opening Date: Friday, October 12, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG by the MPAA for BOUTS OF MMA SPORTS VIOLENCE, SOME RUDE HUMOR AND LANGUAGE.
Run Time: 105 minutes
Directed by: Frank Coraci
Written by: Allan Loeb & Kevin James
Produced by: Todd Garner, Kevin James
Executive Producers: Adam Sandler, Jack Giarraputo, Jeff Sussman, Marty P. Ewing
Cast: Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler
Studio Synopsis:
In the comedy “Here Comes the Boom,” former collegiate wrestler Scott Voss (Kevin James) is a 42-year-old apathetic biology teacher in a failing high school. When cutbacks threaten to cancel the music program and lay off its teacher (Henry Winkler), Scott begins to raise money by moonlighting as a mixed martial arts fighter. Everyone thinks Scott is crazy – most of all the school nurse, Bella (Salma Hayek) – but in his quest, Scott gains something he never expected as he becomes a sensation that rallies the entire school.
[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4L6ruTF5qE’]
J.P.’s Take:
Say what you want about Kevin James, I give him a roaring applause for staying alive in the cinematic world. Where as many critics have panned his efforts for creating family friendly chuckle fests, I feel he comes out somewhat victorious for flexing his muscles as a filmmaker.
“Here Comes the Boom” finds James breaking further away from his “King of Queens” roots, with a weird mix of family drama, silly comedy and mixed martial arts (MMA)-styled action. Although “Boom” doesn’t body slam you with the comedy, James’ likable personality allows for organic comedic prowess to shine through. He excels at playing the average Joe in films that focus on the message rather than the overt zaniness of the characters themselves. This factor can sometimes hinder his ability to connect with the audience, at the same time, uplifts him as an actor. In all honesty, I find him fun to watch none the less. His physicalness is also a gift he shares with viewers, while taking a pummeling in the fight scenes. Oddly enough, at times, this film can be inspiring — considering the fact that biology teacher Scott Voss (James) is willing to endure pain and suffering in order to save his school’s music program (this is the plot of the film: Voss enters mixed martial arts tournaments to raise money). I don’t know of many teachers who are willing to take a pounding by some heavy hitting fighters to bring in money. Now that’s a dedicated teacher.
On a comedic level, the film produces some Earthy laughs through out without becoming disgusting or ultimately vulgar. The only gross out scene there is involves Voss throwing up on his opponent after winning a fight. The minor romance that strikes up between Voss and school nurse Bella Flores (Salma Hayek) is a little dopy to be of any real substance. Yet, it’s cute and warm in a silly way. I’m surprised to see, however, the amount of blood spilled during Voss’ fights that this is considered to be a PG-rated movie. Minor as the blood shed may be, this can prove a little frightening for really young children. Other than that the movie feels a little dull everywhere else.
Despite this film’s unusual UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) plot vehicle, somehow the charming cast of characters bands together to make this odd hybrid film work. Former UFC fighter Bas Rutten who plays Niko, is a character to pay attention to. The UFC Heavyweight Champion is just as relaxed and comical as his co-stars in his role. As for the rest of the supporting cast — Henry Winkler (The Fonz of TV’s “Happy Days) as music teacher Marty, singer Charice as student Malia, and Greg Germann as Principal Becher — all played their parts well enough and added to the silly fun.
As a comedy “Boom” falls slightly flat, even though I did have a few good Ha Ha moments through out. The ending was contrived as any story similar in tone, as James with co-writers Rock Reuben (“King of Queens,” “Zookeeper”) and Allan Loeb (“The Dilemma,” “Rock of Ages”) could have come up with an ending more suitable of the brutality Scott Voss had to endured. Over looking the disjointedness of “Here Comes the Booms,” it somehow delivers an inspiring heart warming experience.