Vulgar, unoriginal and at times even creepy, "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" is everything it's expected to be. It is writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber's first feature film and, fortunately, just as much fun as the trailer would suggest.
"Dodgeball" is a "true underdog story," but it is also a little more than that. It doesn't take itself too seriously and even pokes fun at the lack of originality with impeccable timing. This, combined with the fact that so much of the humor is based in short set-pieces, makes for a highly quotable, highly re-viewable near classic. From the Girl Scout team at the beginning of the movie to the idiot commentator on ESPN 'Ocho,' at the end of the movie, just remembering the many moments compels the kind of laughter through reminiscing that happened when "Old School" was released.
Many who saw "Old School" hated it, to be sure. The point is, however, that occasionally a movie is released that is continually talked about, played, re-played and brought to the cultural consciousness of a generation. Of course there is "Animal House," but there are few who would argue that "Animal House" is a quality movie because it applies to a different generation. In comparison, "Dodgeball" is not the best movie that will hit theaters this year. It isn't even the best movie at screens now. It does, however, deliver on the promise of a trailer, which is a rare thing, especially for a comedy.
Unmistakably, the humor in "Dodgeball" is half based on the singular repeating joke of ball-meets-crotch. The other half leaves little room to disappoint especially because for once in a movie, the amazing cameo appearances are handled masterfully.
Beyond the cameos, it really shows that the cast had a lot of fun making the movie. Stiller's White Goodman is the type of character that will endure, and Rip Torn's Patches O'Houlihan leads the way in zany quotes. Even Vince Vaughn's continual use of the same personality first seen in "Swingers" does not begin to annoy in "Dodgeball."
The bottom line is, there's little lacking here without Will Ferrell, whose presence would have simply taken this movie over the edge. Yet "Dodgeball" satisfies without him and continues to delight.
