Overall Rating: Score: 8.0/10
Grade: B+
Family-Friendliness Scale: Level 4 (Great)
Kids ages 9+
What would you do if your school was in trouble??
Scott Voss (Kevin James) is a biology teacher who really isn't up to his prime anymore, he's late for his own class many times. But that's not the worst problem. The school is in severe debt, and in an announcement, the principal intends to cut all extra-curricular activities (including music, a favorite of most of Voss' students). And with a debt of nearly 50 grand, its' going to take a miracle to raise the money. Voss happens to see a UFC (or MMA) match, and upon hearing the loser gets paid 10 grand just for fighting, says he wants to train to do it. But why would a 42-year old biology teacher do such a thing?
Positive Notes
Strong and inspiring messages on determination, perserverance and selflessness are present in this film. Voss risks his life in the ring to help his students, and to help make sure his friend Marty (Henry Winkler) has a job. Marty has a lot of things going on. His wife is expecting a child and he's concerned about if he'll have enough to pay for it. In another scenario, Voss' brother Eric has his family completely out of touch. He's jobless and he gambles, and his children get in trouble. But Voss encourages him to find a job and reconnect with his loved ones. His students support him every step of the way despite some school principle being against what Voss is doing.
The movie delivers on the "excitement" level, with plenty of underdog comebacks. Rupert Gregson Williams does a nice job with the music score. James, Salma Hayek, Bas Rutten, Charice (who provides a strong singing performance toward the end) and Winkler all do great jobs with their roles. Lots of comic punchlines and uses of "the right kind of humor". Christian references are also in the mix with Genesis 32 being described during a discussion and Voss and his crew praying before a fight.
Negative Notes
The MMA fighting scenes are often intense and probably will frighten younger children. The h-word and a-word are used twice, as is "freaking", "sucks", "crap", "bells" (as an anatomy slang) and misuses of God's name. One innuendo-laden joke. Scott vomits on an opponent. Marty briefly mentions urinating problems. During a yoga class, the top of someone's backside is shown while bent over, and a picture is briefly seen of a trombone covering a naked man's unmentionables. A couple of cleavage-revealing tops.
Conclusion
Here Comes The Boom isn't James' first attempt at family audiences. Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Zookeeper both tried to lure them in. But they were both comedies, as both had their share of toilet humor and suggestive innuendoes. This one is more of a drama than those two, as James' style of goofiness/bad humor has been toned down significantly. And that is a very good thing.
Boom is a film that does start out a little slow, but picks up really quickly as we get into the fighting and more humorous moments. And depsite all that, it still takes the time to be inspirational as well. Voss' selfless actions and perserverance aren't just merely noticeable. Its' enough to even get the biggest fighter in the world's respect by the films' end. That kind of dedication is very inspiring and very nice to see, indeed.
Now families with younger children will need to take caution with the MMA sports violence. There's several moments of pretty intense hitting and smashing, and Voss in injured on several occasions. I'll admit this, I'm not a fan of the MMA, but I went to see it because it looked like it would be hilarious (and it was). But I don't encourage those who don't like the sport to see it either.
Altogether, however, Here Comes The Boom is the first Kevin James movie where I truly believe he deserves a pat on the back. Unlike other people, he kept the movie within the boundaries of its' PG rating. The content concerns I have with it are few and minor. And if you can handle the violence, we are left with a very cool movie with a pretty awesome message.
