Fist Fight
DVD
Review by Kam Williams
Ice
Cube and Charlie Day Square-Off in Over-the-Top Comedy
Do
you remember how, when you were growing up, if a couple of classmates
came to blows on the schoolyard, they would be quickly separated to
the suggestion that they settle their differences off campus at the
end of the day? That was the point of departure of Three O'Clock
High, a 1987 comedy about a bully with a short fuse who challenges a
mild-mannered milquetoast to a duel after school.
Ostensibly
inspired by that teensploitation classic, Fist Fight is a slight
variation on the theme which flips the script by having a couple of
teachers squaring-off instead of students. Otherwise, the basic idea
remains intact.
The
movie co-stars Ice Cube and Charlie Day as Ron Strickland and Andy
Campbell, respectively, colleagues at Roosevelt High. Intimidating
history teacher Ron cuts a sharp contrast to nerdy English teacher
Andy, and much of the humor revolves around their difference in
temperament.
The
action unfolds on the last day of.school which is when we find
seniors running a muck and pulling a variety of outrageous pranks
like kicking the spout off a water cooler and rocking the ineffective
security guard's (Kumail Nanjiani) golf cart while he's still sitting
in it. Despite the insanity, the faculty is doing its best to
maintain decorum.
Nevertheless,
Mr. Campbell's lesson on why words matter is interrupted by the
antics of class clowns. He's able to handle the disruption far better
than Mr. Strickland who proceeds to blow his cork.
The
plight thickens when both teachers are summoned to Principal Tyler's
(Dean Norris) office to explain why Ron chopped a disrespectful
pupil's desk in half with an ax. The upshot of the meeting is that
Ron loses his job because of Andy, so he challenges him to a fight
after school. Consequently, fraidy cat Campbell spends the rest of
the afternoon trying to find a way to avoid the confrontation.
Too
bad, the ensuing buildup to the big showdown between the adversaries
proves to be less entertaining than the promising premise. For, the
two share few funny moments following the setup. Luckily, this
kitchen sink comedy continues to deliver courtesy of such student
stunts as hiring a mariachi band to follow the principal around the
halls.
The
movie marks the feature film debut of actor-turned-director Richie
Keen, who also makes a cameo appearance as a computer store employee.
And the support cast includes the scene-stealing Tracy Morgan whose
quirky trademark mannerisms are put on full display.
Note,
Fist Fight is a relentlessly-profane romp which might have set a
record for the use of the F-word. Since the closing tableau sets up
the sequel, might I suggest that the next installment cut down on the
curses in favor of more jokes.
Good
(2 stars)
Rated R
for sexuality, nudity, drug use and pervasive profanity
Running time: 91
minutes
Distributor: Warner
Brothers Home Entertainment Group
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