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Film Reviews Blog: 'Here Comes The Boom' Or Does It?

After seeing the trailer, you can probably guess exactly what's going to happen in "Here Comes The Boom."

However, it's the likable personae of the cast that really draws you into the film and allows you to enjoy it, and that is one of the main reasons the film works.

Uninspired high school biology teacher Scott Voss (Kevin James) doesn't care for much but the hot school nurse Bella Flores (Salma Hayek). That is, until he finds inspiration and becomes a mixed martial arts fighter to help raise money to save the school's music program and the job of loveable teacher Marty Streb (Henry Winkler).

The film is far-fetched and doesn't throw any surprising punches. Nevertheless, it is entertaining and reminiscent of the Adam Sandler formula of filmmaking: idiotic humor, an out-of-his league love interest, personal growth, and an overall inspiring message, which sometimes comes in those end-of-movie speeches made famous in 80s films.

Although some of the jokes reach for the lowest common factor, i.e. immigrants with accent jokes, it's the chemistry of the cast that make the jokes work.

Winkler is hilarious as the dimwitted music teacher, and no matter how hard he tries, can't help but screw up in one form or another. Although he is no Arthur Fonzarelli this time, he maintains his charm and is nothing short of lovable.

Adding to the humor is Voss' trainer Niko (Bas Rutten). The former MMA fighter (both in character and real life) is a big teddy bear, cute and fun despite his brutish exterior.

It's easy to be cynical about this cheesy film and simply pass it off as another dumb comedy, but it's hard to deny the fantastic chemistry of the cast, and the charm of the characters.

Sometimes, you just need a film that will make you laugh, no matter how far-fetched the premise; and with that, Boom is a knockout.

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