has some charm can seem forced

Rating: 6/10 (29 June 2006)

This is, in a way, a bit too slick for it's own good, being essentially a parody of South of the Border Masked wrestling hero movies. It plays it just straight enough to be a bit tedious and there are cartoony sound FX that clutter up the start of the film in a way that makes you worried until the charms help make up for it.
The problem is the comedy is either really obvious--those sound FX, or the parody so muted that it sort of strides along at middle speed never gaining speed or laughs while always being a bit diverting.
But it's sort of seedy in a way that seems kind of true to life and part of the real world, rather than taking place in the fake sets and lovable cheapness of real Masked wrestling movies. And can you parody something that's goofy to begin with? Jack Black shows his willingness to look fat and silly at his own expense, this helps you route for him to win the day, and come on this is a comedy that plays it safe to the definition of comedy so the story certainly, aside from quirky moments, plays it really by the numbers. Regardless, and the musical theme song for Black's character helps this, you are satisfied, even touched, by the way things turn out even though you know that's exactly how they will turn out pretty much from the start.
Too bad they didn't play it a little more wild and loose with reality, or give the story some edge. Still sort of a risky movie for Black to agree to make,and maybe the type that can only be made at the height of an actors popularity when they can make anything they want. Though one hopes Black doesn't go the career and life path of John Belushi and Chris Farley, and to a lesser extent John Candy, with films that are essentially watch-the-fat-guy-be-abused-and-look-gross, type affairs.
Whatever you may expect, don't expect a laugh a second gross out comedy. That's not where the movie's head and heart are at. If you look at it that way you may well get the most out of it. Both a worthwhile little film and one that should have been better. Forget the forced advertizements and sit down and give it a chance and you won't feel you totally wasted your time. The too few quirky moments may stick with you after you forget the cliché elements that drag it down. Odd, downright ugly looking supporting characters help out in this regard. There are definitely outside the mainstream elements, just not quite enough and just not enough truly funny comedy either to make it a total succcess.