The one great hockey film.

Rating: 7/10 (7 October 1998)

There haven't been many hockey movies, but among the small lot, this is easily the finest. It takes a cock-eyed look at the sport, and what it takes to make it work at the lower levels.
One of the most violent anti-violence movies, Slapshot puts itself right in the middle of a debate between using "goonism" or not, in order to win hockey games. Newman is the player/coach of a failing team that is suddenly "blessed" with a trio of goons, the Hanson Brothers (no, they don't sing). Through them, the team starts winning by beating up the opposition, which causes an argument over the ethics of it, and how it affects the game. The answers are given on both sides, making its statement that the only clear path is ambivalence.
Another good theme is the look at the small-town life, when the industry is failing. Newman and his troops, like all the workers in the town, must show a lot of passion for their work, even when it's tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
While there is a decent degree of seriousness in the movie, it is the physical comedy that prevails, offering the funniest moments ever seen on ice. The great thing about "Slap Shot" is that is doesn't try to do too much, it just plays itself out, and like Newman's character, is what it is, and that should work just fine, thanks!
This won't make any movie-of-the-year lists, but it's worthwhile watching for some very funny moments--if you're a hockey fan, then it's indispensable!