Goon
Watch Trailer Podcast: Seann William Scott chats with Mike Sheridan Movie Clip: ION Learn How to Skate Like Goon Movie Clip: Locker Room Movie Clip: First Time On The Ice
Director: Michael Dowse
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Liev Schreiber, Marc-Andre Grondin, Seann William Scott
Details: US/92mins 16
Scott is the tough but sweet Doug Glatt. When a pissed up lout insults his homosexual brother during a hockey game, Doug beats him senseless, and during said beat-down is spotted by the manager of a local team and hired to be his new "enforcer." What enforcers do is basically protect the star player, and intimidate the other team as much as possible. Doug may be bad at hockey, but he kicks ass at kicking ass and is subsequently spotted by a team higher up the food chain and tasked with turning around the fortunes of their superstar player, Laflamme (Grondin). Quickly endearing himself to the entire team and their fans, a shown down with Liev Schreiber's soon-to-retire veteran tough bastard, Ross Rhea, seems destined to happen.
I've always been a fan of goofy, unpretentious comedies. The likes of Hot Tub Machine and Old School are genuinely amongst my favourites, and if that type of crass, aggressive humour appeals to you then you will absolutely love Goon. Never deviating from the tried and tested triumph over adversity plot that has anchored many a sports flick over the years, its simplicity serves to be part of its charm. Goon even makes a homage to Heat work. This is a film about ice hockey that recreates a classic scene better than any other movie since.
Scott's lead character is somewhere between Forrest Gump and Rocky; dim but inherently likeable, it's easily his best role since Stifler in the American Pie series. Always an actor who has played to his strengths, he's genuinely endearing and funny as the lead here, and is perfect casting. Baruchel is amusing support, and Schreiber is obviously enjoying himself. There's also a bunch of laughs to be had in the banterful exchanges between teammates and if a sequel did happen that's something that could really be expanded upon.
Unsurprisingly slight, this expands on its honest marketing wonderfully and delivers plenty of laughs in the process.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
Tee
Quite looking forward to this one. Would love to punch destiny in the face myself.
Posted 04/01/2012 10:35:07
FilmBuff76
If you're feeling the January blues, then this year's first comedy should tickle your funny bones. Seann William Scott plays a sweet-but-dim ice hockey player who punches his way to stardom. Is ice hockey really supposed to be this violent - like an ice hockey version of Rollerball (Rollerhockey?)? Apparently so, as it's actually based on a true story - stay for the end credits for proof. The story is hit-and-miss at times, but Scott's goofy charm and comic timing helps to keep it afloat. It's not going to win any awards, but Goon is certainly worth a look.
Posted 06/01/2012 21:45:42
aydee25
This film is ABSOLUTE RUBBISH! Save your money, go and see something else. It's possibly the worst film I've ever seen in my entire life.
Posted 08/01/2012 14:41:12
KickedArse
@aydee25 REALLY? The worst film ever? How many movies have you seen. *sighs
Posted 09/01/2012 14:03:13
ted29
Dear god this is pretty p**s poor. I only went as it was about all that was available for me to see and i had recalled it got 4 stars on this site. I thought how bad can it be? Answer? Turds in a fish bowl make for better viewing. There are a few laughs no doubt and the violence is non sensically gratuitous which is fine, its just so bloody stupid is all. I would say this is a 2 star movie at best, leave your brain in the car and mutter a quick apology to yourself for going to see this instead of any number of other movies and you'll be grand. There are a dozen movies to see ahead of this currently in Dublin if you havent been to the flicks in a while.
Posted 10/01/2012 18:28:51
Rob
I've seen this twice now and it's hilarious. Exactly the movie you'd expect from the trailer and plenty of laughs.
Posted 10/01/2012 19:34:51
ted29
:) Rob must have found the only cinema in Dublin that allows pot smoking! Once is a mistake on its own, twice is just dumb!
Posted 12/01/2012 21:41:22
Dave
I can safely say that this was excruciatingly painful to watch... this genre of comedy has ran its course, if I was a conspiracy theorist I would say the original reviewer is getting free tickets and popcorn, Sean William Scott is and will always be a mediocre comedian, America are churning out this crap monthly and I for one will cease to pay for any movie with the American Pie crew, at best this should get 2 stars and I also think entertainment.ie should look elsewhere for reviewers.
Posted 16/01/2012 12:37:06
ted29
Says a guy whos username is kickedarse!! Dave is spot on, the movie was a travesty and only the dumb, the thick and the easily amused can have taken anything out of it. Guess thats you kickedarse.
Posted 20/01/2012 10:41:12
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