Director: Michael Dowse
Starring: Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, Liev Schreiber, Alison Pill, Eugene Levy, Kim Coates and David Paetkau.
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 92 Minutes
Synopsis: Labeled an outcast by his brainy family, a bouncer overcomes long odds to lead a team of under performing misfits to semi-pro hockey glory, beating the crap out of everything that stands in his way.
I, like many, love a good sports movie, especially those of the zany, madcap comedy kind that feature an American sport I never understand. This has never stopped me enjoying such fare as HAPPY GILMORE, CADDYSHACK, or watching the legendary Paul Newman and his band of ice hockey brawlers in George Roy Hill’s cracking SLAP SHOT. This naturally brings us to GOON, another ice hockey comedy starring Seann William Scott as a guy with a heart of gold, who becomes a favourite on the ice after pummeling a player in the stands when defending his gay brother.
Let me begin by saying Seann William Scott was born to play this role. He looks as if he has bulked up to play the part and this should easily eclipse his signature role of Stifler in the AMERICAN PIE movies. Scott is outstanding as the lovable Doug ‘The Thug’ Glatt. His transition from bouncer (who cant help apologising when thumping troublemakers) to professional ice hockey player may seem a touch rushed but boy is the end result worth it.
Picked up by a local amateur team not for his skills on the ice (he actually can barely skate) but for his anvil-like fists, Doug is unfortunately looked down upon; both his father and brother are doctors, which doesn’t help when he knows the only thing he is any good at is throwing his fists. Soon Doug is passed over to the Halifax Highlanders to help serve as a protector on the ice to their star player Xavier Laflamme. His newly found fame and all-round nice guy image catches the eye of Eve, played by the adorable Alison Pill and Doug is immediately smitten. There is also his team mates, a group that features some outlandish individuals and there’s even a nod to SLAP SHOT’s Hanson twins. And let’s not forget writer and star Jay Baruchel, who appears as Doug’s lifelong buddy, and has some hilarious stand-out put-downs.
Liev Schrieber is also terrific as the -soon-to-be-retiring Ross Rhea, the brawler who seems to be the mirror image of Doug (without the heart and politeness but skating skills to match any). Rhea’s respect for his rival’s fisticuffs are never in doubt but the battle between the two is the one fans (and the audience) is longing to see. The amount of time spent on the sidelines and suspensions between them both, make us wonder if it will ever take place. When it does, it really is worth the wait.
Like most sporting movies it is predictable, which I promise will not spoil the viewing experience. Yes, the violence and blood shed would make Tarantino blush, but the film is actually really very sweet. Scott and Pill make their on screen crush believable. Scott makes Doug the most likeable underdog you are ever going to root for and this is one character I’d love to see followed even further in possible sequels. I am not one for using profanity in movie reviews but with the amount of foul language in film anyway, this will not make a difference when I say GOON really is frickin’ ace!
GOON is released in cinemas today
