The Foot Fist Way

Plot synopsis:
Small town Tae Kwon Do instructor Fred Simmons relishes the power that comes from being the king of a small kingdom. A former champion, Mr. Simmons fancies himself one in the same as his hero, Chuck "The Truck" Wallace, a B-movie Martial Arts film star. Mr. Simmons openly boasts about his self-proclaimed status as "king of the demo" [Tae Kwon Do demonstration], even though he can't nail one to save his life. His only vulnerability lies in his adoration of his wife Suzie - a weakness that comes bubbling to the surface when Mr. Simmons discovers Suzie has cheated on him with her new boss. When Suzie leaves him, Mr. Simmons finds himself slipping into a crushing downward spiral. He struggles to keep "the power" by abusing anyone who challenges him. After losing students and making a fool out of himself, he finds allies in Julio Chavez, his nine-year-old apprentice, and Henry Harrison, one of his students with an "obvious confidence problem." When his bizarre best friend Mike McAllister comes to visit, the four make a pilgrimage to meet the greatest Martial Artist of all time, "The Truck," at a Tae Kwon Do convention. What starts as a crazy man's expedition to escape turns into a trip of discovery, as Mr. Simmons and his crew party with "The Truck" and Mr. Simmons convinces him to perform a demo at his Tae Kwon Do school during the upcoming belt-qualifying testing. Inspired with renewed strength, Fred returns from the convention clear-headed and at the top of his game, until he is shocked by an unexpected turn of events when Suzie returns home, and the "The Truck" flies in from Hollywood to appear at his Tae Kwon Do school. In the end, Mr. Simmons faces the greatest test of his power and finds the strength he outwardly projects within his own spirit.[Since the discussion page is broken and I feel that an explanation is needed, I'll make it here. For some reason, what should have been the Synopsis was posted in the Summary, and visa-versa. Because of that, I copied-and-pasted the contents of the Summary page here, and submitted what was here (in the Synopsis) as a correction for the Summary. I don't claim to be the author of either piece of text.]

Tags: cult, comedy, satire

Review:
Where everybody is perfect, and the good guy always gets the beautiful girl in the end and every fight scene lasts 20 minutes,....well not in my life.The main character of The Foot Fist Way is actually very easy to recognize in the first place.
Hell, maybe people say I'm a loser for admitting this, but I know my life more resembles 'the foot fist way' than it does 'Casino Royale' or 'Die Hard'.I practice karate, and although this movie is about Tea Kwon Do (these sports are very similar), I can tell you that the exaggerations are real.
And there are people out there that are made off no more than hot air.Anyway, the 'crappy' filming makes this movie almost a documentary.
And real martial arts isn't as spectacular as we get to see in Hollywood movies, its as crappy as presented in this film.
(in the sense of 'normal' people that practice martial arts).In my opinion the producers were successful in creating a funny movie about things in life we all can relate to..
One would think that comedies and dramas would be the easiest genres to film on a limited budget, yet time and time again, they fail to deliver.After hearing such amazing buzz for The Foot Fist Way, I was very excited to see if this "little comedy that could" would actually deliver.
The result, however, was a very mixed bag.The acting is very good for a film of this caliber, except for the woman who plays the adulterous wife.
During several scenes at the beginning of the film, she is shocking bad, and it takes away from the believability of the scenes.The comedy, when it hits, is very funny...
The final scene, meant to feel somewhat victorious, comes off flat and humorless.The Foot Fist Way does deliver some very good belly laughs from time to time, but sadly comes out like most low-budget comedies.
It feels like "The Foot Fist Way" is the very long pilot of a TV series that didn't get picked up: like there was something more that needed to happen and characters that needed to be developed.The film is a small character-driven comedy created by a trio of friends who have been nurtured by the Will Ferrell and Adam McKay screwball character movie teat.
Danny McBride, the star, Jody Hill, director and supporting actor and Ben Best, supporting actor, all wrote the story of Simmons, a tae kwan do instructor in Alabama who's full of himself yet humbly insecure.There's really no plot until halfway through the movie, giving it that episodic "this should be broken up into smaller, fleshed out parts" feel.
The only thing that stays solid is the rocky relationship subplot between Simmons and his tall-built bimbo wife (a rather untalented Mary Jane Bostic).Admirably, these three amigos try and create a character for McBride that is both a verbal machine gun of ridiculous phrases and someone who uses that same egotistical technique to work out his emotional problems.
Funny, low-budget film about a Taekwondo's instructors life.
Taking its lead from the painfully flawed David Brent in The Office, The Foot Fist Way focuses on taekwondo teacher Fred Simmons as he leads his class to be (perhaps) as good as him, fails to control his cheating wife and idolises taekwondo champion and film star Chuck "the truck" Wallace.
In this there is a lot of potential and accordingly the best parts of the film are not specific events or plot points but just little moments that remind the viewer what a self-important and embarrassingly pompous man we are watching.It is not something you'll never have seen before of course and the many other variations will show you how painfully funny (and painfully painful) that this sort of thing can be, whether it is Spinal Tap or David Brent.
Problem is with the Foot Fist Way is that it feels like a really good idea that has not been fully carried out.
Even at a short running time of 83 minutes, the film still struggles and surprised me by feeling much longer  it should have sprinted and been over before you knew what was happening.No fault to McBride though, he feels natural and is convincing in his character.
Best's turn is funny and produces some narrative drive but also has the detrimental effect of jostling for time with the comedy character study which I thought the film should have stuck with.
The style of delivery could have been different and, although some say it is overused, I think the "making a documentary" approach would have worked in the favour of the material as we have seen countless other times.I wanted to really like this film because you can see the potential but sadly it is never fully realised.
This doesn't make for a terrible film though and it does still have its moments where things work but mostly I felt like it was a big case of "close but no cigar" in regards the script and the delivery.
Will Ferrell likes this movie so much because it is the type of humor he likes, and I've seen some of his stuff when he's not scripted into a quick buck Hollywood shitfest.
If you're looking for dumb kind of humor like in "anchorman" or "zoolander" , or any of Adam Sandlers stuff you will be disappointed - this low budget flick is completely different - kinda a gulp of fresh air I must say - it's truthful, believable and even artsy to some degree.
This is the type of movie that gets funnier each time you watch it, just like The Big Lebowski.
Danny Mc. Bride, in a role destined for cult legend status, will soon be a comedy star with his unassuming way of selling the laughs naturally without cramming it down the audience's throat.
I think I recall laughing maybe three times the whole movie....of which were somewhat forced.
To be honest, I think I've actually lost some respect for Will Ferrell and Adam Mckay just for recommending this movie so highly.
This flick actually had some potential: The main guy being a loser that takes his goofy job waaay to seriously, his placement of some obviously "Pedro"-like kid as his top student, the dumb blonde wife, the overly-cocky bad guy........but unfortunately, it just doesn't deliver on any of the ideas.
Danny McBride was fine, and really is pretty decent when under a good director and writers.
Well it started for me with pineapple express the tropic thunder so i checked on Danny McBride and found this .Its great the humor is non stop .i loved it .The only thing i hope is he continues to do sweet as$ roles and doesn't turn in to Ferrel where all his movies are the same .
McBride has a movie coming out with will Ferrel called land of the lost he is is son.Its based off the 70s show and should be really good.
Well thats it hope you see Foot first way its 9/10 and really good.
Given the detail given to accuracy of forms and verbiage I hated to see punches to the head in the film.By the way: "Tae" means "foot" or "to strike with the feet".
A karate (okay, tae kwon do) instructor (Danny McBride) loses it when his wife is found to be unfaithful ...
My god, this might have been a very funny YouTube short, if kept to the length of Will Ferrell's Land Lord sketch, but this thing was just a joke.Guys, there's a bit more to making a decent film than getting drunk, thinking up silly stuff and acting it out.This movie has no more finesse than low-budget porn, the kind where the camera guy won't shut up.
you like that?" Where the hell did McBride come from, and would he please go back there?Weak movie.
If you love tae kwon do and awkward comedy, watch this film..
The Foot Fist Way, a literal English translation of tae kwon do, is a film about a passionate martial arts school instructor who takes his job very seriously.When he encounters some personal problems, he starts to lose the self control and discipline that he is such an important aspect of his training.
Why give these Hollywood types (oh wait, are they?) the time of day or more money to make another (oh wait...)It's not like the lead, McBride, is one of 2 or 3 writers on this show and the other (oh wait...)I've read some positive comments about how people have run into this sort of martial arts instructor in real life.
Fred Simmons (Danny McBride) is a delusional over-confident Tae Kwon Do instructor.
He goes to a martial arts expo to meet his idol B-movie action star Chuck "the Truck" Wallace (Ben Best) but he turns out to be a drunk.This is a one-note performance from Danny McBride.
This movie will be funny if...1.) You like Will Ferrell style of comedy 2.) You've taken martial arts for more than 1 year or so.I only watched the first half so far, but this movie is GREAT.
The lead actor is HILARIOUS, his cocky ignorant attitude is OFF THE WALL FUNNY.....I just love movies like this.......it's going to be like Napolean Dynamite, you either Love it or Hate it, Period....If you have a sarcastic style of comedy, or like other films by Adam McKay or Will Ferrell, you'll probably love this movie.It's just funny watching what the martial arts instructor will do next.----BTW: I cant believe there are people dumb enough to like Danny R.
Danny is A THOUSAND times funnier in this Foot Fist Way movie!I HATED Pineapple Express...seth rogen or whatever is NOT funny....the ending was great though.Danny is the new Will Ferrell though, no doubt..
The females in this movies early acting was horrible it was like these people were found on a street corner and asked if they would like to be in a film.
The whole point of a movie is to have actresses and actors to make the film not look like a total pile of crap in this movie they did not do this.
The problem here is the total lack of acting that goes on during the first 10 minutes or so i couldn't get past that part it bothers me when people don't even show any type of effort to make a good movie.
They could have went out and got some actors and actresses that could actually act i mean i don't think thats to much to ask myself.
The people that made this film ,the actors/actresses should be ashamed of themselves they should go out and get a job in the correct field i would say "shoe salesperson" I would not recommend this movie to anyone that can hear or see..
What makes "The Foot Fist Way" so funny?
Well I'll tell you what; Danny Mcbride, Jody Hill, and Ben Bests terrific sarcastic and satirical writing style.
This whole movie sort of reminded me of one of my favorite shows of all time "Mr. Show, with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross" Now that being said, right there in itself that is a huge compliment.The movie is about a local Tae Kwon Do instructor named Fred Simmons(McBride) and his struggles with Delusions of Grangeur, his wife's infidelity and the students he teaches.
McBride is great as the self absorbed, narcissistic Simmon's and will be loved by anyone who was ever taught Tae Kwon Do by an overweight, possibly alcoholic, terribly tacky and American martial arts teacher who drives a 1987 Ferrari for flash.I believe it takes a certain type of viewer to enjoy this film though- Someone of intelligence, sarcasm prone and satire friendly.
I've read a few comments on here about how bad this looks, how the actors suck but people seem to forget this was a first movie made for $79,000.
The film isn't going to look like a Hollywood picture, the actors aren't going to win any Oscars.
In this kind of film you to have to look at potential and this film shows that Jody Hill and Danny Mcbride have bags of the stuff.
The execution may not be perfect but this is a funny film, it's wrong in so many ways, it'll upset and offend but I think that's the point.
Danny Mcbrides Fred Simmons is a looser but he's been able to find himself with the help of martial arts and now he wants to help others do the same.
more like the foot in mouth way.
Also if your gonna do a film about martial arts it helps if the lead actor can actually do it.
- everything comes crashing down around him and it looks like all is lost.I think the acting was fine, it was a bit over the top and intentionally approached to feature somewhat 'natural reactions' to an over the top character.
Yeah the wife wasn't the best actress but it didn't detract from her role and once you're into the movie these things are minor.
I thought it was a really funny film, a bit inspiring, and just all around good times.
THE FOOT FIST WAY (2008) ** Danny McBride, Mary Jane Bostic, Ben Best, Juan-Carlos Guzman, Carlos Lopez, Collette Wolfe, Ken Aguilar.
One-note comedy about a delusional strip-mall tae kwon do 'master' instructor (tool Mc Bride who grates more than gains guffaws) whose idiotic ways get the best of him when his sluttish wife (Bostic) cheats on him, sending him into a whirlwind as he is attempting to lure his idol, movie martial arts star Chuck "the Truck" Wallace (Best) for a public appearance at his school.
Newcomer Jody Hill (who has an admittedly funny co-starring role as an intense comrade-in-arms of McBride's, and also co-scripted with his star and Best) attempts for a "Napoleon Dynamite" meets "The Office" mockumentary feel for awkward, cringe-inducing comedy and has more misses than hits.
--> I normally don't do reviews but believe me people this movie is a torture.READ NEXT SENTENCE --> I watched this movie just seeing its genre.READ NEXT SENTENCE --> The whole movie was made like a Awful documentary.READ NEXT SENTENCE --> There is nothing funny in the whole movie.READ NEXT SENTENCE--> Its true that it shows the reality.READ NEXT SENTENCE --> But,who wants to watch a comedy that 'll give u a f......
FOOT FIST WAY is the literal English translation of Tae Kwon Do. And the ancient Tibetan translation is Not Quite Comedy.Produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, Danny McBride's THE FOOT FIST WAY is an uneven bid at indie cult, as it explores themes of narcissism and self-esteem, filled with non-sequitur characters, bad actors, and jokes that Will Ferrell would find funny.McBride is Fred Simmons, a mediocre yet egomaniacal karate instructor, who owns and runs his own dojo, giving parking lot demonstrations to solicit customers.
It doesn't help when Fred busts his wife taking a ride on The Truck...Filmed entirely with a Steadicam, FOOT FIST WAY is a painfully-independent comedy; to his credit, McBride pulls off a good Ricky Gervais Lite, but the production is lacklustre, although I wouldn't blame the filmmakers' sincerity, rather, budget.We can never discern whether Fred Simmons is actually a craftsman or not, as he has won awards - yet his demonstrations don't exactly inspire awe the way watching even one second of Bruce Lee does.This movie is also painful to tutors of all stripes.
Fred Simmons character arcs in all the right places and finds he must give up his illusions and actually "do" to Truck Wallace; the servant must become the master, the teacher must become the pwner...
Danny McBride, Ben Best and Jody Hill wrote a "cult-ish" low-budget film called 'The Foot Fist Way'; about an obnoxious (but funny) Tae Kwon Do instructor named Fred Simmons, who has a marital crisis that affects his training of students.
Endorsed by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay as one of the funniest recent comedies to come out, and they give this independent flick an audience, and I curiously checked it out as it was just released on DVD in Australia.Yes, it's funny!
Danny McBride's acting style has continued to be apparent in other projects, and he has since been featured in films like 'Fanboys', 'Pineapple Express', 'Land of the Lost', 'Tropic Thunder' and he even had a serious bit in 'Up in the Air'.
It all started in 'The Foot Fist Way' for him, and he was easily the king of this movie.
Ben Best plays Chuck "the Truck" Wallace, and has quite a few funny scenes too.
The fight scene between McBride and Best was hilarious and impressive at the same time- I would have never have thought McBride had some mad skills.If you are into low-budget comedies, or interested to see how Danny McBride got his career going, then this film is definitely worth checking out.
This movie had all of the makings of a "10" cult film, but falls short.
The movie definitely ends on that "Feel Good" note, that said, the wife's role could've done with some character development, her acting wasn't inspiring to say the least.It definitely was funny in parts, especially the scene where Danny pits an old lady against the class bully.
just one weird awkward scene after making me wonder why someone would think this is a good idea to film.
At the end of Act 2 the movie takes off and is pretty funny trough the end, with a solid plot developing, sort of.
but this attempt to that end is lost somehow, as Mr Simmons character isn't mostly harmless like David Brent.
Anyone who has stepped into a dojo anywhere in the United States in the past 40 years will instantly recognize the Danny McBride character in THE FOOT FIST WAY.
i wasn't aware of the low budget nature of the movie till i read the reviews here.
in conclusion: it's a great film about real live (similar to andreas dresen's movies about German life).
maybe you just have to like this kind of movie.