Here Comes The Boom Review

A fighting chance-Kevin James as a school teacher and Salma Hayek as a school nurse in Here Comes The Boom
                   I have always found Kevin James to be one of the more likable actors in Hollywood. Sure...he is no Jason Segel or Paul Rudd but he always seems to fit well into nice guy roles. Here Comes The Boom-while being all too predictable continues my theory on just how likable James is. This is the kind of predictable, dumb movie that you can not hate because everything about it involves such a good heart. Sure there are too many plot conveniences and plot holes but when it comes down to it-there is not a more likable movie out there.

                  In the film-James plays Scott Voss-a lethargic and not dedicated at all biology teacher whose students do not appreciate him. When the school principal (Greg Germann) announces they are cutting the music program and Mr. Streb (Henry Winkler) will be let go...Scott immediately tries to save the school. Along for the ride is a hopeful US citizen (Bas Rutten) and the school nurse Bella (Salma Hayek) with whom Scott has been trying to date for years.

                 James gives it his all and does not pander to the fat guy shtick that he usually does while Winkler plays the sort of teacher every one of us has had at some point. Rutten is thoroughly charming as the foreigner who hopes to soon become a US citizen and Hayek is a good romantic interest for James even if their relationship is all too unbelievable. The film moves at a brisk 105 minutes and all of the jokes are pretty dumb but some of them stick with great comic force. As well-the film is surprisingly sweet in the way it treats its characters with respect rather than looking at them cynically. Where the movie fails is where it tries to be TOO cute. It begins to slowly degrade into a pile of sappiness that is hard to swallow. Fortunately-it *mostly* picks itself back up.

              With very few surprises but a decently touching and funny narrative and good performances-Here Comes The Boom may not be worth your hard earned eleven bucks. However, it is all too pleasurable for home viewing. I say wait until Netflix or Redbox. It is immensely likable but there are better nights out at the movies.
(3 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG for bouts of MMA sports violence, some rude humor and language)