Spring Break
Movie Review: Balls of Fury
David Manley
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Features
The stunts and special effects in the movie are disproportionately epic and well-executed as opposed to the simple (if it could so be called) scale of the story. It is ping-pong, and yet, the audience will find martial arts battles, massive explosions and harrowing gunfights. Most importantly, the ping-pong exhibitions themselves are well performed, even using the "bullet time" Matrix cliché.
The acting is just about on par with what one would expect for a movie like this, it is only as serious as it has to be. Even in an action-comedy with the most ridiculous plot, acting is one of those fine points that can make the difference between toughing out a seemingly intolerable story, and stalking out of the theatre and throwing a half-empty popcorn bucket at a helpless theatre employee. Balls will not leave the viewer disappointed in that department.
The soundtrack is a clash between modern favorites like Def Leppard and stereotypical East-Asian melodies. Either way, the music, except when addressed directly in the plot's context, takes a back seat to just about every other aspect of the film.
Complaints could be issued with racial stereotypes, jokes about sexual orientation, lowbrow slapstick comedy, the fact that it is yet another underdog sports movie, or the corny humor, but if audiences have issues with any of that, they should probably avoid the theatre altogether.
All things considered, Balls of Fury is a fun movie. If the audience expects a cinematic masterpiece (for whatever reason), they are in for a disappointment. Its technical features may not surprise and its story may not either. At the same time, for anyone simply looking for some laughs and a worthwhile investment of their entertainment budget, give "Balls of Fury" a whirl.
The acting is just about on par with what one would expect for a movie like this, it is only as serious as it has to be. Even in an action-comedy with the most ridiculous plot, acting is one of those fine points that can make the difference between toughing out a seemingly intolerable story, and stalking out of the theatre and throwing a half-empty popcorn bucket at a helpless theatre employee. Balls will not leave the viewer disappointed in that department.
The soundtrack is a clash between modern favorites like Def Leppard and stereotypical East-Asian melodies. Either way, the music, except when addressed directly in the plot's context, takes a back seat to just about every other aspect of the film.
Complaints could be issued with racial stereotypes, jokes about sexual orientation, lowbrow slapstick comedy, the fact that it is yet another underdog sports movie, or the corny humor, but if audiences have issues with any of that, they should probably avoid the theatre altogether.
All things considered, Balls of Fury is a fun movie. If the audience expects a cinematic masterpiece (for whatever reason), they are in for a disappointment. Its technical features may not surprise and its story may not either. At the same time, for anyone simply looking for some laughs and a worthwhile investment of their entertainment budget, give "Balls of Fury" a whirl.
Be the first to comment on this story