“Dodge Ball: A True Underdog Story” (20th Century Fox)
Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn battle each other on the dodge ball court in the new comedy “Dodge Ball: A True Underdog Story.” There are a lot of laughs and even some unexpected twists in the story. It all boils down to being the best Ben Stiller movie in ages; but when all is said and done is that saying a lot
Vaughn is Peter LeFleur, owner of “Average Joe’s Gym.” Ben Stiller is White Goodman, owner/operator of the ultimate gym across the street. When White decides to try to foreclose on the “Average Joe” mortgage, Pete is desperate to find fifty thousand dollars to pay off his debt.
Kate Veatch (Christine Taylor aka Mrs Ben Stiller) is hired by the bank to research Pete’s financial condition. She finds it to be hopeless even though she tries to help. Finally one of “Average Joe’s” patrons comes up with the idea of entering an “AJ” team in the national dodge ball championship in Las Vegas. The grand prize money is fifty thousand dollars. With all else failing Pete and his team of average Joe’s enter.
White also fields a team, and you just know from the start the two teams are going to be battling each other in the finals. Still getting there is half the fun. Especially when Rip Torn shows up as Dodge Ball legend Patches O’Houlihan. He helps whip the “AJ” team into shape – or a semblance of shape.
The movie does have some great lines, unfortunately most of which were shown in the trailer. It also has some good performances from Gary Cole as the play by play announcer at the competition, and by Torn as O’Houlihan. He is one of the brightest spots in the film.
Vaughn is totally laid back as Pete, so laid back he is almost comatose. You keep wondering if he has a pulse. Stiller is just the opposite. He is frenetic to the point of annoyance. You want him just to take it down a notch or two.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual situations.
The humor in this film is more adult than child friendly which is a shame seeing as the film is advertised in a way to appeal to kids. Parents might be offended by having their children exposed to such language.
There are a lot of laughs in “Dodge Ball” but it also has moments when it creeps along. You will have a good time with it but don’t expect greatness. This is Dodge Ball, not the Olympics.
I scored “Dodge Ball: A True Underdog Story” a knocked out 5 out of 10.
