Ahoy, squirts! Quint here... Yeah, I know both of these reviews are a bit tardy, so I'll keep them short and to the point.
DODGEBALL
Upfront: I really like Ben Stiller comedies and as I've mentioned recently am one of the handful of people in this world that thought ZOOLANDER was funny upon the first viewing and hysterical in repeat viewings. I also love YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, BIG LEBOWSKI and OFFICE SPACE, some more socially accepted comedies. So, if you still think my opinion of comedy has any validity whatsoever, feel free to hear me out on Ben Stiller's newest studio comedy.
I did not enjoy DODGEBALL as much as I did ZOOLANDER, but it is funnier than most mainstream comedies, if only by a little bit and that's not saying too much. Stiller's egotistic health-food freak White Goodman is partially successful. Half the time he's funny, half the time he's not, but the whole character seems like a slightly meaner variation of his Derek Zoolander character.
Vince Vaughn is just kinda there in the movie. He has enough natural comedic talent to breeze through pretty successfully, but you can see his heart wasn't in the movie.
Where the movie does succeed, though, is with the supporting cast. I love, love, love Stephen Root (Milton in OFFICE SPACE) and he had me cracking up in the film... his scene of anger is classic. Rip Torn is a national treasure and constantly had me clutching my belly.
The movie is predictable, half the jokes fall flat on their face, but despite those flaws it is enjoyable due mostly to the supporting cast. This is a cheap show film, so hit the matinee if you like anything in the trailers.
THE TERMINAL
I really, really liked this movie. Spielberg is a master and it's evidenced in the small details packed into this flick about a man without a home stuck in an airport. Tom Hanks proves once again he's a fantastic actor that is completely at ease in front of a camera and can slip on a finely tuned character like a coat.
The movie isn't wholly successful, some of the gags fall flat and about halfway through it feels a bit too repetitive as Hanks' Viktor Navorski begins his courtship of Catherine Zeta-Jones' slutty flight attendant character. But, there was never one point where I didn't care for Navorski and his constant clashings with Stanley Tucci's evil Homeland Security weasel or his relationship with the airport employees.
Diego Luna (Y Tu Mama Tambien) plays a young airport employee with a case of puppy love. Of course Hanks helps him out and kindness and love run rampant through the previously cynical staff. Chi McBride and the awesome Kumar also lend their talents to the supporting cast and if for nothing else they're worth seeing the movie for.
The main thing I didn't like about the movie was Tucci's character... of course, the whole point is for you to hate this guy, but he's too simplistic a foil for Hanks and at the end of the movie his motivations to do what he does don't feel earned.
It's a movie I really enjoyed watching and I know I'll catch it again on cable or rental, but I don't think I'd buy this DVD. It's not a movie I feel very anxious to revisit. It's a good film, but not classic. At least not for me. I tell you what, though... I'm itching for Spielberg to shoot some damn evil aliens or popcorn action again!
That's it from me, squirts. Like I said, short and to the point. Enjoy this weekend... Next weekend's got the big Michael Moore bomb being dropped. Hoo-boy! That'll make talkback fun for the next few weeks! hehe I'll be back again with some really neat little goodies, maybe even something regarding a possible future film from Mr. Spielberg. 'Til then, this is Quint bidding you all a fond farewell and adieu.
-Quint
