DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story (2004)

DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story

• I’m not exaggerating when I say this film has been at the tippy top of my watchlist for literally like a year now. I don’t know why I wanted to watch it so bad, I think I just wanted to finally understand all the references and quotes, so I finally got around to watching it. Well, it’s certainly one of the more memorable comedies of the 2000’s. Especially considering most are really crappy, this one actually holds up considerably well. Seeing as it’s over 20 years old, the jokes are actually funny, and only a tiny bit dated. The humor is just edgy enough to be mildly offensive, yet it’s also toned down enough to secure a PG-13 rating. It’s a good blend of dry humor (which is a bit frisky) and physical humor, so you can laugh at the line deliveries as well as people being physically abused. The story is very silly and very cliche in the classic “happy-go-lucky sports comeback” kind of way. Easily the highlight for me was using dodgeball as the chosen sport. It could’ve been anything, but they choose one of my favorite sports, and obviously not a popular one. They shot all the dodgeball scenes in such a goofy but thrilling way, and I was completely invested in each match. It took me back to my middle/high school days when we would play in gym. I was pretty good too, if I may say so. But yeah, it’s an almost sappy story that’s full of great gags and hilarious cameos, and the dodgeball setting elevates it above other sports comedies. The cast is also memorable, with the entire Average Joe’s team each contributing something special to the story. Ben Stiller is hilarious as always, Justin Long and Stephen Root cracked me up, it’s always nice to see Alan Tudyk in anything, and Justin Bateman steals the show completely. The performances themselves aren’t anything special, but each actor/actress sure makes their character stick out. That being said, the film overall is still a bit stupid and it won’t be for everyone, but I had a good time and can see myself rewatching this. I would recommend it to most comedy fans, specifically if you like ones like ‘The Waterboy’ or ‘Happy Gilmore’. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go watch it now!