It’s not often that I will agree to take my kiddos to a movie on a SCHOOL night, but last night I did just that and I have to say, I’m glad I did.
I should start by saying that I really like Kevin James. And in the theater, I overheard more than one of the guys around us mention he was there simply to see his “future wife, Salma Hyek” but the movie all around was entertaining.
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.
The whole family laughed throughout this movie and there were even parts where the whole theater was clapping and cheering. I know it was predictable… it wasn’t an “edge of your seat” kinda movie by any stretch… the physical comedy was to be expected. But, at the end of the day, it delivers a good message and tells a story that my kids can appreciate. It was positive and uplifting which is what I look for in movies now that the kiddos are growing past the traditional Disney animations.
I normally like to screen movies BEFORE taking the kids… in case there is anything in there that’s “too much” for my liking so I took a bit of a risk taking them, but I wasn’t disappointed. Yes, there’s a lot of fighting – DUH – see the plot description – but with the eldest in Kick Start, a school Karate program , and their dad heavily involved in other forms of martial arts, fighting isn’t anything new… plus, hello, they are 10 & 12 and much to my chagrin, I can’t keep them my babies forever… there was one romantic scene I worried about for half a second, but it ended as quickly as it started. This film has been rated PG by the MPAA for BOUTS OF MMA SPORTS VIOLENCE, SOME RUDE HUMOR AND LANGUAGE. (honestly, I didn’t even notice language… and “rude humor” is just kinda expected when you are raising boys… does that make me a bad mom?)
Kevin James was a perfect casting choice for this part – believable funny, and the under dog you want to root for. He’s just so likable in any role he takes on which is probably what REALLY saved this movie for many of the attendees. Henry Winkler cracked me up as the nice, albeit naive music teacher.
I did wonder about some of the many sub plots within the movie that were never quite developed – overall tones of loss of inspiration from both James’ character as well as his brother in the flick for example- but overall, it’s a feel good movie you can enjoy.
Here Comes the Boom opens today (Friday, October 12, 2012) and is a perfect family friendly weekend outing!
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