Paul Newman would be proud.

Rating: 8/10 (15 March 2012)

This is the Slapshot of this decade. Indeed, many of its aspects could almost be seen as an homage to the Newman classic. We see neurotic Goaltenders, strange foreign players, and the off-ice boozing and womanizing. that were the hallmark of Slapshot. Gritty, witty and full of inside jokes for Hockey aficionados. The film neatly coalesces the many stereotypes people have of various types of hockey player, without pigeon-holing the characters into a purely caricature environment.
Seann William Scott is utterly believable in the role inspired by Doug "The Hammer" Smith. His slow-witted but earnest and intensely loyal character is played with conviction, humour and sensitivity without becoming a parody of itself. A fine balance that Scott maintains throughout the film. Liev Schreiber is likable and fearsome at the same time as the hero's fist-wielding nemesis.
A good knowledge of hockey rituals, traditions, famous anecdotes and the unwritten rules the players have for policing each other on the ice will add to the enjoyment, but there's plenty of entertainment for those who aren't students of the sport, as well.
Cameos by a couple of NHL players - most notably Georges Laraque - add a nice finishing touch to a fun and engrossing classic sports underdog flick.
It's unfortunate that filmmakers are often unwilling to license real team and league names for their films. The made-up NHL teams and phoney Eastern league name tend to jar one out of the film and into reality at unfortunate moments. Also, people really need to step away from using Eugene Levy as the dyed-in-the-wool nerdy Jewish father. Typecasting is fine for teen road trip comedies, but more dramatic efforts need a more dramatic actor.
Aside from these distractions, though, the movie comes together solidly.