| Written by Jan James Stetter, on 03-09-2007 13:23 |
Media Maven: “Balls of Fury” Movie Review
The Cincy Chic Media Maven, Jan Stetter, reviews "Balls of Fury." See why she thinks this display of moronic lunacy and quirky actors makes “Balls of Fury” a solid bet.
Balls of Fury
Dan Fogler, Christopher Walken, Maggie Q, James Hong, Terry Crews, Diedrich Bader, AishaTyler, Patton Oswald, George Lopez
Silly! Silly! Silly!
“Balls of Fury” is this summer’s silliest film around. It’s bubble gum.
It’s a retreat from the heat. It’s a laugh out loud, mindless ninety
minutes of time spent being amused with outlandish sight gags and over
the top acting from one of the best: Christopher Walken.
“Balls of Fury” is an innocuous comedy in the vein of movies like
“Airport” or “Hot Shots.” None of the actors display a serious
commitment to high brow thespian aspirations (Think Meryl Streep, Al
Pacino). There is, however, an obvious pact for everyone involved to
have a good time! This is not to say that talent does not abound.
The lead actor, Dan Fogler, plays a washed up professional ping-pong
champ. He so acutely conveys the slovenly way of an overweight, child
sports star has- been that one would never guess he was in fact the
recipient of multiple acting awards and a Tony for his role in the
Broadway musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Aiesha
Tyler struts her athletic prowess as a sharp shooter hitting her every
mark with deadly blow darts in scene after scene.
Patton Oswald as the asthmatic, unlikely opponent to upstage Fogler’s
first big comeback tournament is hysterical. Yet one of the funniest
running gags is led by Diedrich Bader. He is buffed, baffled and
bewildered as a captive sex slave who is stuck working nights
pleasuring Mob Boss Feng’s (Christopher Walken’s) guests. Sheer lunacy!
The outstanding computer generated ping pong sight gags are matched by
a wry script directed by Ben Garant and co-written by Thomas Lennon,
both of the TV comedy Reno 911.
“Balls of Fury” will never come near an Academy Award nomination. I
wouldn’t recommend it if it did. But if you are looking for a film that
is as moronic as it is playfully silly then go see “Balls of Fury.”
Rating: Three Chic Stars
Jan’s Movie Rating System:
5 - Top notch entertainment
4 - Compelling, Heartwarming, Thrilling, Comical
3 - The a) story b) actors c) special effects saved/made this movie.
2 - If you are bored watch it, or wait for DVD
1 - Don’t bother. Too morose, too violent, too blasé, an enigma.
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