Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teacher turns MMA fighter in tween-friendly comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Here Comes the Boom
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 34 kid reviews
Kids say this film is funny but contains a surprising amount of violence and some inappropriate language, making it potentially unsuitable for younger viewers. While many enjoyed the humor and positive messages about perseverance and role models, others found the level of bloodshed and crude jokes to be excessive, suggesting it should carry a higher age rating.
- funny moments
- excessive violence
- inappropriate language
- positive messages
- age-appropriate concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
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?
This movie is just a fun little confection that's got some Octagon action, high school laughs, and odd-couple appeal. James is a likeable comedian, though 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. 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 12, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : February 5, 2013
- Cast : Henry Winkler , Kevin James , Salma Hayek
- Director : Frank Coraci
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bouts of MMA sports violence, some rude humor and language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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