Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

Release Date: June 18, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for rude and sexual humor, and language
Written and Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber
Starring: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Christine Taylor, Rip Torn, Julie Gonzalo, Stephen Root, Chris Williams, Gary Cole, Jason Bateman

Plot:
A small local gym is threatened with extinction by a gleaming sports and fitness palace unless a group of social rejects can rise to victory in the ultimate dodgeball competition.

Review:
After three struggles of mediocrity with Along Came Polly, Starsky and Hutch and Envy, Ben Stiller delivers a funny, entertaining and well written film. The film is from debut writer and director Rawson Marshall Thurber and at a young age of 29, he does fairly well in making Dodgeball succeed as a comedy. Dodgeball has one of the better plots of recent comedies as well.

The Dodgeball tournament is being held for one reason and one reason only, and that is to win $50,000. Vince Vaughn who plays Peter La Fleur needs the money to save his gym from being taken down. White Goodman is not going to just let that slide by and for a battle between gyms, he joins the tournament and starts a team as part of menace.

Dodgeball actually plays out as a hero versus a villain. The hero is Peter La Fleur and the villain is Ben Stiller's character, White Goodman. The film even hints at audiences to who they should cheer for and who they should not like. However, White Goodman is such a hilarious character and is incredibly stupid, that we cannot help but like him more.

Its nothing new that the different and evil character is the one the audience will enjoy more. More than enough of the time, villains have a better approach at taking out the hero and have more money and assistance. By saying this, Dodgeball now sounds like a James Bond film which is not at all what it is, it is a sports film that works because it stays true to its story.

A True Underdog Story it is not, or perhaps it could be? No, but it deliver excitement and who ever though Dodgeball could be so exciting. I'm sure the Director had no idea that Dodgeball could be so exciting, but then again, why would he have written the script? What Director Rawson does right here is combine the right amount of comedy for a lot of laughs throughout the film.

One of the most memorable things of this film is the cameo roles it has from various celebrities. They add to the humor and the ridiculous conclusions that occur from decisions they make. It certainly is far fetched, but for the content that Dodgeball has it is required to do so. The comedy in this film never slow down and that is a blessing.

Dodgeball is not a film that can be called serious and solid because it certainly is silly. However, the silliness mostly comes from Ben Stiller's character, in the way he acts and speaks. This overall works because it gives him his unique characteristic and his past of being overweight and holding a gym fits well of why he is as such.

It might come as a shock to see Christine Taylor in this film as well who starred in Zoolander with Ben Stiller as well. Actually, it shouldn't come to a shock at all because they are husband and wife and seem to be making more films together. Much like the chemistry that Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler had earlier this year with 50 First Dates, these two celebrities do as well.

Christine plays Kate Veatch who becomes good friends with Peter and even joins their team. She plays a major role in the movie and is a center part of its run. Quite a powerful and strong woman, showing no signs of discrimination. A surprise erupts at the end of Dodgeball that concerns Kate and the one I am mentioning will be obvious once viewed.

Dodgeball is on the same level as Miracle and Against The Ropes as far as sports film go. That is definitely saying something because the other two are dramas and Dodgeball is a comedy. It all comes together nicely as a comedy and as a strong story. Oh yes, stay seated after the credits for a laugh out loud comment from Ben Stiller.