Could have been a LOT better

Rating: 5/10 (1 May 2008)

I had high hopes for this movie. I wanted to see another Dodgeball (one of my faves) or Blades of Glory but unfortunately this didn't deliver. Don't get me wrong, there are some quite funny moments in it (and one or two laugh out loud ones) but they are too few and far between. There are a number of reasons it disappointed but to be honest in my eyes the blame lies squarely at the door of Dan Fogler. I must admit I'm not hugely familiar with his other work but if this is anything to go by I won't be rushing to find it. This guy simply cannot carry a movie as the main character. In Balls of Fury never has the term "phoned it in" been more apt. He lacks charisma, warmth and above all comic timing. He did raise a few chuckles from me I must admit but only when he was on the receiving end of the joke and not the one who initiated it. I didn't care about his character which is never a good sign. I'm also sad to say that one of my favourite actors, Christopher Walken, also fares quite badly. I just don't think comedy is his forte but in his defence he was giving it a bloody good shot, unlike Mr Fogler. However, there is one saving grace and that is James Hong as Master Wong. Hilarious. He gets all the best lines and deservedly so as it is he who stops this movie getting three stars. In all this might raise a few laughs if you're watching it with mates and having a few drinks otherwise wait till it comes on TV.