Surprisingly hilarious...

Rating: 8/10 (19 June 2004)

I have to admit, I was worried. C'mona movie about a dodge ball team? But my intense love of Alan Tudyk spurred me to see this movie. I was expecting Zoolander...but crappy. I was pleasantly surprised.
This movie is actually more intelligent then it lets onthere were more than a few clever references (Deus ex Machina for oneMaginot line [sp?] for another) and not a small amount of Nazi-bashing sub-text.
That being said, this is not an overall intelligent movie. It's about dodge ball. People get hit in the groin. A lot. There's a guy named Steve the Pirate. It has a cameo by William Shatner. Do not, DO NOT look for cinematic genius. However, I still loved it. It was hilarious. The random sports they made upsquirrel water skiing, midget tossing...*snicker* And that they weren't afraid to go to the disturbing place...with pizza...it was really quite funny.
Why am I raving? I had ultra-low expectations. It made me laugh solidly from opening to closing credits. Good times.
And now, to rave about my reason for attending the movie: Alan Tudyk. Yes, he played a man who thought he was a pirate. He played a character that the writers were clearly high when they thought up, but (SPOILERS AHEAD)
***
**
* ...when he was hurt and made fun of...well I actually felt bad. I felt bad for the freaking pirate-man! I was amazed that any actor could do anything with that part. That he could create an emotional connection impressed me. I mean, the guy was a freaking pirate-wannabe!
*
**
***
END SPOILERS
Don't think that I'm easily impressed by movies. I'm not. Normally a movie like Dodgeball would get nothing but scorn and derision from me...but I really enjoyed it. Definitely a great bad movie. Anyone who needs a laugh, go, don't expect too much, and enjoy!