2. Here Comes the Boom (2012)
Stars: Kevin James, Henry Winkler, Salma Hayek, Bas Rutten
MMA cameos: Joe Rogan, Mark DellaGrotte, Krzysztof Soszynski, Bruce Buffer, Mike Goldberg, Herb Dean, “Stitch” Duran, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Mark Munoz, Satoshi Ishii, Wanderlei Silva, Chael Sonnen
Cheesy taglines: No one will fight for his students like Mr. Voss. | One teacher still believes in fighting for his students.
Rotten Tomatoes critics score: 40
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 65
How to watch it: Rent or buy through iTunes/Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Key review: “Here Comes the Boom telegraphs every punch in its arsenal, but when the comedy connects, it can deliver with funny force.” – Scott Bowles, USA TODAY
Synopsis: Should this be all the way up and No. 2? Maybe not. But we have to give props to huge MMA fan Kevin James, who co-wrote it and stars in it. He definitely has a passion for the sport, and this was his love letter to it. He plays a former college wrestler-turned-teacher who, in order to help save the school’s band program led by Winkler, turns to fighting. Rutten plays his main trainer on his way up the regional circuit through wins over the likes of Sonnen and Miller, and DellaGrotte is there, as well. Rogan shows up to offer him a UFC fight against Soszynski. The whole thing culminates rather ridiculously with a fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and he saves the day and gets the girl (Hayek). There’s some decent low-brow comedy in there, and Rutten actually holds his own as a comedic actor. Plus, can we just give thanks that it’s not a movie about an underground fighting circuit?!
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