I'd buy that for a dollar

Rating: Null/10 (9 September 2004)

We all know the story from the previews already? A quick recap: Good vs. Evil, Big business Vs. Little guy and so on. It's an over-used plot line in movies and an excuse for Ben Stiller ( as the somewhat strange White Goodman, owner of the high tech Globo gym ) to make some one liners and do a bit of slapstick with on screen cohort Vince Vaughn ( as Peter La Fleur , the lax owner and friend of the locals at Average Joe's gym, conveniently located right across the street from Globo ). Vaughn's character needs $50K in 30 days to stop Goodman from acquiring his gym and they enter a dodgeball tournament.
With the pre-amble out of the way I honestly enjoyed this movie, had me chuckling right along at the gross-out jokes and the obvious humor which is Stiller's forte and Vaughn's lovable lackluster character and well delivered one liners. Stiller's wife, Christine Taylor is the leading female unless you count Missi Pyle's incredibly large and scary 'other side of the Iron Curtain steroid type' woman who could certainly take the lead if she wanted it!
The best on screen has to go to the psychotic Patches O'Houlihan, Rip Torn and there are some great cameo's including Hank Azaria, William Shatner and even David Hasselhoff having a laugh at himself. Chuck Norris also pokes his nose in, as does Tour De France legend Lance Armstrong Â– who should stick to riding and leave acting to the pros. Finally a mention for Jason Bateman as Pepper Brooks, the Gen-X, extreme sports type commentator his delivery and performance is perfect.
Other support cast like Steve the Pirate, ably played by Alan Trudyk and Justin, Justin Long, with his horrible flashback to the cheer-leading incident keeps this movie rolling along. Many memorable moments and good laughs here, plus a bit of a surprise for the romantic side-plot, especially to the parents of the five year olds in the cinema.
7.5/10
*TIP* Hang round for the entire credits!