 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Here Comes the Boom
- Review Date: October 11, 2012
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Teacher turns MMA fighter in tween-friendly comedy.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Here Comes the Boom is an action comedy about a teacher who decides to compete in MMA matches to save his school's music department. Even though it deals with a violent sport, there's not too much blood, although there are plenty of bruises, injuries, and hand-to-hand (and foot!) combat. Language and romance are tame (sparing use of words like "ass" and "hell" for the former; some flirting, a date, and one kiss for the latter ), and the messages support the importance of arts education and standing up for what you believe in.
What's the story?
Scott Voss (Kevin James) is a lackluster high school science teacher who sits around and reads the newspaper instead of instructing his kids. But when the principal (Greg Germann) announces that the school's inspirational music and band teacher, Marty Streb (Henry Winkler), is going to be laid off, Mr. Voss commits to finding a way to raise the $48,000 to save the music program. With the help of one of his citizenship class students, Dutch personal trainer Neko (Bas Rutten), Mr. Voss -- a former high school wrestler -- decides to try his luck in the "cage" of Mixed Martial Arts competitions.
Is it any good?
James is a likeable comedian, but not all of his movies can be saved by his innately relatable charisma. Zookeeper, for example, was one of 2011's biggest duds. But HERE COMES THE BOOM is like Mr. Holland's Opus meets Warrior, minus all the sentimentality of the former and the gritty drama of the latter. This movie is just a fun little confection that's got some Octagon action, high school laughs, and odd-couple appeal. The training sequences with retired MMA star Rutten are particularly amusing, as is the way Winkler's goody-goody music teacher interacts with James' burned-out science teacher.
As in all of James' movies, the object of his attention is a drop-dead gorgeous character, here a sexy school nurse played by Salma Hayek. But their flirtation-turned-romance is at least acknowledged as somewhat far-fetched (she jokes about how many years he's tried to lure her on a date). And the relationship stuff takes a definite back seat to the high school subplot and the MMA action, which is entertaining without being overly bloody or intense. (After all, it's pretty funny to see James walk out to Neil Diamond's "Holly Holy" instead of the new metal "Boom" song he wanted as his signature anthem.) Glee fans, take note: Petite Charice plays one of music department's star students, and she (obviously) gets to belt out a song during a climactic scene.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about movies about teachers. Why are public school teachers usually portrayed as either terrible or amazing? Is that realistic?
Mr. Voss and Mr. Streb are an unlikely pair. What do they each teach the other? Why do they each consider the other a "hero"?
How does Here Comes the Boom compare to other films about high school teachers?
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Kid, 11 years old
October 13, 2012
AGE
predictable but sweet
great comedy! positive messags are thru out! kevin james's character is almost always thinking about the school and (more importantly) the students. although the movie is predictable, its very sweet with a few LOL moments. there is a lot of innuendo, however. but it will mostly go over kids heads.
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Parent
October 15, 2012
AGE
rabid, face bashing fights
You really have to wonder about folks exposing their kids (and grand-kids) to the rabid, face bashing fights in this movie. I was shocked with the lengthy scenes of gruesome, almost maniacal fighters battering their opponents into complete surrender or unconsciousness. I am saddened to see others list this as fun family fare
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Teen, 14 years old
October 13, 2012
AGE
This funny movie may blur up the line between safe sports and bullying
The teachers in this movie got into the same controversy that parents do these days about violence on television. Some people thinks it sets a bad example while others think it's not an issue. That's true in this movie because Mr. Voss gets into cage fighting to make money to save the music program at his school. His case was that it was going to make the money, while others thought it would be a bad example for the students. There is a lot of discussion about why kids get into fights a lot. And some think that bad role models is to blame. What the people were doing in the movie was not a sport at all. I know that because I've done some Tai Chi and it is the exact opposite of what happens in that cage. In fact, Tai Chi is about learning how to be calm and control your anger. Not take it out on other people. It gives kids one question, "If intense fighting is okay on reality TV, when I do it at school it's called bullying?"
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Teen, 14 years old
October 20, 2012
AGE
Dumb and Violent, But Still Amusing and Somehow Inspiring and Insightful.
Here Comes the Boom is filled with over-the-top boxing violence, and constant placing of UFC related products (Mainly Tap-Out). It's repulsive to watch 2 sweaty men beat each other, and then one barf on the other, but it's still very funny....... There's not very much sex at all, and the violence is impersonal and fun entertaining..... People love rooting for someone, and the ending is played well enough to be inspiring, yet believable. Very well written and acted, this film suggests that people just need to find what feels right to them, and work hard and devote their life to it.... Whether it's teaching, playing music, or boxing. Here Comes The Boom manages to walk a fine line between too dumb, and too profound and intent on message-conveyal for tweens. Absolutely brilliant.
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Kid, 10 years old
October 13, 2012
AGE
awsome
It is a really good movie must see
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Parent
October 14, 2012
AGE
Great Family Film!
Remind your kids that this is a true story, and that role models can be find anywhere but especially in our teachers.
The acting was great. The story was great. The message was positive and inspirational. It shows that determination can lead to positive outcomes. And that people can be changed for the better.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 24, 2012
AGE
Here Comes the Boom - The Best "Boomin" movie of the Fall
This movie is so cute - I randomly saw it with my mom and we both loved it! We both laughed and cried - it is over all a great, family friendly movie. It has a little bit of violence, but nothing really "scary." :) A must see for any family and anyone over the age of 9 or 10!
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Parent of 7 and 9 year old
October 20, 2012
AGE
Best movie I've seen in awhile
I took my 9 year old to this film and we both loved it. Very engaging and entertaining with lots of positive messages about perseverance and helping your friends. The only downside is that some of the martial arts scenes are more violent than I would have liked with very realistic punches. But overall a great film that I highly recommend.
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Teen, 13 years old
October 22, 2012
AGE
clever but brutal comedy is not for tweens
this funny and cheerful comedy from Zookepper star Kevin James pushes the boundary of a PG film with tins of brutally realistic violence with some amounts of blood. there are brutal beatings and fights, some which so bloody wpunds and in one scene shows vomiting. language stays fair, with only 2 uses of ass.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 6, 2012
AGE
Funny Comedy
This is the funniest movie I've ever seen. The teacher is a great role-model, but there is a lot of fight styled violence. There is also some jokes not appropriate for youngers kids, but they will go right over their heads. There is some mild swearing too.
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts, high school, misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Columbia Pictures |
| Director: | Frank Coraci |
| Cast: | Henry Winkler, Kevin James, Salma Hayek |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 105 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 12, 2012 |
| DVD release date: | February 5, 2013 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | bouts of MMA sports violence, some rude humor and language |
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