One of the unique things about where I went to college in the early 1980s was that the school had something like 28 officially sanctioned collegiate sports. Of course, since most other colleges didn't have the likes of a billiards squad, there weren't that many opponents to compete against.
Despite the preponderance of such sports, however, there was no underwater basket weaving team or, shock of all shocks, one dedicated to playing dodgeball. Perhaps that's changed over the intervening years, what with the reported resurgence of both that and kickball as baby-boomers have taken their old elementary school playground activities into the mainstream.
I guess then, that it's not surprising that we now have the first feature-length film about that sport, "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story." If that sounds goofy or facetious, well, it's because it is. Something of a spoof, but more of a lowest common denominator comedy aimed at rowdy teen and twenty-something males, the film offers a smattering of laughs.
Yet, its crass demeanor (that will obviously appeal to its target audience) and a lack of a continuously imaginative or clever plot, dialogue or conceived and executed gags means that the effort is bounced from serious comedy competition long before the game is over.
Considering the filmmaking pedigree of Rawson Marshall Thurber, perhaps that really shouldn't come as much of a surprise. If you remember those Reebok commercials where an office worker dressed as an NFL linebacker aggressively tackled coworkers to keep them in line, you'll have a brief glimpse and feel of what's on display here.
As written by Thurber, the film's humor consists of scenes of people being hit - natch -- by dodgeballs, but also thrown wrenches, cars, falling signs and more. And considering its already low aim, it's no surprise that many of those blows land in areas of a man's anatomy that usually don't welcome such attention.
It also features Ben Stiller in mode two of his limited comedic acting range. The star of the likes of "Along Came Polly" and "Zoolander" usually plays either the lovable and put-upon loser or the over-exaggerated, egotistical jerk. He's played both far too much (although I suppose if he can make a living doing it, more power to him), but I prefer the former to the latter as it usually takes longer to wear out it welcome.
Here, the "muscle-bound" and self-centered gym owner initially elicits a laugh or two. You have to give Stiller a little credit for playing the part with reckless abandon. And part of the joke is that his character comes off as a jerk as he comes on to a banker who, ha-ha, is played by his real-life wife Christine Taylor (who will always be the movie version of Marcia Brady to me).
It doesn't take long, however, for the shtick to become tiresome and then annoying. The same holds true for the repeated gag bits featuring Rip Torn ("Welcome to Mooseport," the "Men in Black" films) as the verbally abusive and wrench-throwing coach.
Vince Vaughn ("Starsky and Hutch," "Old School"), who was once considered a pending big star but perhaps ruined his chances by starring in the remake of "Psycho," plays the underdog hero and is okay in the role, but nothing tremendous.
Stephen Root ("Jersey Girl," "White Oleander") is amusing but nowhere as hilarious as he was in "Office Space," while the likes of Justin Long ("Crossroads," the "Jeepers Creepers" films), Chris Williams ("Friday After Next," "Major Payne") and Alan Tudyk ("A Knight's Tale," "Wonderboys") fill out the rest of the team.
Jamal Duff ("The Rundown") and Missi Pyle ("Soul Plane," "Along Came Polly") embody the physical combatants who play with Stiller, while the always amusing Gary Cole ("Office Space," the "Brady Bunch" films) and Jason Bateman ("Starsky & Hutch," "The Sweetest Thing") play the play-by-play announcers.
There are some clever or funny lines of dialogue as well as various comedy bits, such as the ESPN 8 spoof and a riff on those old, 1950s era educational films (although that's not exactly the first time that's been done). Yet, I wish there were more of them and less of the aggressive physical comedy that gets too repetitive and loses its figurative if not literal comedy punch.
Those who favor standard underdog stories, comedies aimed low with plenty of crotch shots (and we're not talking of the Sharon "Basic Instinct" Stone variety) may enjoy the offering. I did in bits and spurts, but not enough to give the film a recommendation. "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" rates as a 4 out of 10.
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