Facebook
Twitter
Google
Reddit
LinkedIn
del.icio.us
MySpace
StumbleUpon
Newsvine
Digg
CHICAGO – In anticipation of the scariest week of the year, HollywoodChicago.com launches its 2024 Movie Gifts series, which will suggest DVDs and collections for holiday giving.
Film Review: Kevin James Displays Heart in ‘Here Comes the Boom’
Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 13, 2012 - 8:57am
Printer-friendly version
E-mail page to friend
PDF version
“Here Comes the Boom” opened everywhere on October 12th. Featuring Kevin James, Salma Hayek, Henry Winkler, Bas Rutten, Mark DellaGrotte and Joe Rogan. Screenplay Rock Reuben, Allan Loeb and Kevin James. Directed by Frank Coraci. Rated “PG”
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Here Comes the Boom”
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Here Comes the Boom”
Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version
CHICAGO – Seeing the words “Happy Madison Production” on any film means a broad, unfunny and formulaic comedy is about to emerge – usually with company founder Adam Sandler. Although “Here Comes the Boom” has some of those dulling elements, it’s Kevin James who is sincere and motivated as a cage match fighter.
 Rating: 3.5/5.0 |
The set-up to the premise – James is a teacher at a school that is cutting it’s music program and popular music teacher, so naturally James fights in mixed martial arts cage matches to earn money to save the day – is straight out of the Happy Madison playbook. What separates it from Sandler-land is the everyman charm of Kevin James, and the odd collection of characters that help his achieve his Ultimate Fighting Championship dream. With shades of “Rocky” and a unique approach to filming the fight sequences, “Here Comes the Boom” is not bad.
Scott Voss (James) was once a teacher-of-the-year candidate at his high school, but is currently severely burned out. He finds solace by flirting with the school nurse Bella (Salma Hayek) and listening to the music class of Marty Streb (Henry Winkler). When the school principal announces massive budget cuts, the music department is the victim. The school needs 50 grand to keep the program viable, and it is Scott that comes up with the money-raising plan.
He was a ex-college wrestler at a division one school, so naturally he thinks he can adapt to the popular mixed martial arts (MMA) cage matches. He recruits a motley crew that includes an ex-MMA fighter named Niko (Bas Rutten), the music teacher Marty and a punch expert (Mark DellaGrotte playing himself). Starting with the lower end matches of that style of fighting, the 42 year old biology teacher reaches the top in a Ultimate Fighting Championship match in Las Vegas. That’s quite an evolution in saving-the-day.
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Here Comes the Boom” Photo credit: Sony Pictures |
Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Here Comes the Boom”
Funny
I took my 10yr old son with me to watch this movie. This movie brought out his laughter, which I haven’t heard in a while. I am glad that they made an excellent humorous PG movie. A must see movie with the family.