emann@pvdemocrat.com —
There’s no doubt the fickle nature of the average moviegoer, but sometimes judging a film as bust before it is released causes harm to a flick actually deserving of praise. As current economic conditions make many of us picky to the point we have to choose between “The Adventures of Shaky Ghostcam 4” or “Adam Sandler actually finds a role that doesn’t make us nauseous,” unfortunately a lot of decent cinematic moments are being ignored.
One such example released a few weeks ago seemed like harmless rental only fun, but has instead launched itself to surprisingly good. A premise that has certainly gone without much sparkle since nuns busted a move to save the inner city, there is actually much more there than the trailers suggest. “Here Comes the Boom” is not only undeservedly buried in the fall movie season, but is easily at least one of my favorite family films released in years.
Set at a failing educational institution called Wilkinson High School, we are introduced to Scott Voss (Kevin James), a teacher who once cared about his job, but has become discouraged in recent years. He’s pretty much become comfortable with the system pushing kids through like cattle when financial pitfalls by the school targets someone he does care about in the school’s music program.
Rather than let Marty’s (Henry Winkler) music be cut from the students lives, he is quickly spurred to come up with funding on his own. The grand idea of ideas is to enter the world of mixed martial arts and raise the cash before the end of the year, an idea reluctantly helped along by former MMA fighter Niko (Bas Rutten). However, though his idea is seen noble by those around him, including a female teacher he has a crush on named Bella Flores (Salma Hayek), he quickly rediscovers the spark in his own life leading to changes that could be more beneficial than he ever imagined.
One of the first comparisons that came to mind for me was Jack Black’s “School of Rock,” but this makes that seem like a hollow and selfish message. Despite some appearances on how it could have been very stupid and a glorification of violence, the underlying message is actually appropriately wholesome.
Sure, it certainly carries a corny way of delivering it, but I’d sooner nominate it for a best picture than many of the things supposedly artistic. I recommend it for all ages and plan on seriously watching it again as my own copy. Thus “Here Comes the Boom” earns four out of five bruises.
Movie viewing experience courtesy of the Royal Twin Theater of Pauls Valley.
Entertainment Reviews
Related Photos
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Movie poster for "Here Comes the Boom," now showing at the Royal Twin Theater. Happy Madison Productions, Columbia Pictures.
Discussion
‘Here Comes the Boom’ a victory for audiences
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