Boom chases away Gloom! Hurray for Kevin James and company!

Rating: 8/10 (24 October 2012)

In the Boston area, biology teacher Scott Voss (Kevin James) is a few minutes late to school. The principal (Greg Germain) gives him bus duty and docks him a vacation day, too. This hurts. Scott makes his way over to his friend and colleague Marty's (Henry Winkler) music class to plead with his pal to do the bus work. That's because there is a VERY important staff meeting that afternoon. Marty agrees. Later on, when classes are finished, the news at the get-together is anything but good. Finances are in bad shape and the school is dropping all extras, including music. Now, since Scott has just learned that Marty's wife is pregnant at 48 and the loss of Marty's job would be crucial, Scott announces that he will make the $50,000 needed to keep his friend's job. Okay, but how? Teaching night school won't do it, even though Scott enjoys helping the immigrants studying for their tests. But, amazingly, one of his pupils, Niko, informs Mr. Voss that even the lower levels of mixed-martial arts fighting give paychecks of hundreds and thousands of dollars. A lightbulb goes off, because Scott wrestled in college. THIS is how he will raise the dough, even if he loses every fight. Maybe, too, then beautiful school nurse, Bella (Salma Hayek) will accept his many, many invitations for a date. Most all think Mr. Voss is nuts, but he starts training. At his first fight, Scott wears Viking gear and plays a pounding song, Here Comes the Boom. Only Scott gets pounded into the ground but good. However, with $750 in his hand, Scott vows to continue. Soon, he is losing by a slim margin, then gains some victories. Will Mr. Voss make enough money for Marty? Also, will he become a better teacher in the process? That is, before broken noses and bones set in! We will see. This funny film makes good on a statement that Boom beats Gloom. James is becoming a national resource of tremendous value and he can make any role worthwhile. What a fine comic touch he has and what a pleasure to watch him. Hayek is extremely likable, too, as is Winkler. The rest of the cast is also just great, although some members are not well known. The Boston setting is good while the costumes, amenities, script and deft direction give viewers a really nice film, worthy of the ticket prices. So, ditch your doom and gloom but good. Run to buy a seat for a swell time at the movies.