The Foot Fist Way (2008)
Oct 23rd, 2008 by The Mayor
Rated R
Directed by Jody Hill
Starring Danny McBride, Jody Hill, Ben Best, Mary Jane Bostick, Spencer Moreno
Heidi Illustrious Rating: 1.5
Word of Warning: Language, some violence, not very funny.
This is a low-budget, non-pretentious independent film produced by Will Ferrell and I really wanted to like it. I enjoy martial arts movies; my love for Jackie Chan is no secret. I also like Danny McBride, the star of this movie. He has recently had very funny supporting roles in “Tropic Thunder” and “Pinapple Express.”
I think a bunch of guys on the peripheral of the movie business were sitting around one night drinking beer and watching a documentary on martial arts when they came up with this idea that seemed “really funny at the time.”
“Let’s make a movie about a loser named Fred who thinks he’s a total bad-ass martial artist, but really isn’t,” says one friend.
“Totally,” says another guy. “Let’s give him a trashy sort of eighties girlfriend with big hair and big boobs. Oh, and let’s make her sort of retarded.”
“Yeah,” says a third friend, crushing his beer bottle on his head. “This is going to be so rad.”
It’s not rad and it’s not good. While there are a few laughs in ”The Foot Fist Way,” for the most part, the film fell well short of my expectations. I don’t mind a movie that “feels” low-budget, but in this movie the acting is slightly below average and the story is uninspired. I spent most of the hour and 27 minute long movie trying to figure out why these guys (Jody Hall, Danny McBride and Will Ferrell) thought this was funny. And it’s not just a “girl-thing.” My husband was also found ”The Foot Fist Way” profoundly un-funny.
Is there something we’re missing?
I wanted a red Ferrarri 308 back in high school. I thought that was about the best car to have…ALL TIME!
Ok so for the record Will Ferrell had, did not become a part of this film until after it was filmed. He acquired it at a Tennessee film festival, and liked it so much that he decided to bring it to the general public. The film was based on Jody Hill’s experience as Tae Kwon Do black belt/instructor. It is a hilarious film if you like intelligent dark, satire humor, which is why so many often miss it. I think that for those who think that Will Ferrell had a part in creating this film would expect it to be more slap stick simple minded humor that Will Ferrell has made a career out of, don’t expect this out of this film.
Thanks for stopping by Brian and thank you for the insightful comment. I apologize for getting it posted late. I’ve been out of town and away from Internet for the Christmas holiday.
I stand by my original opinion of this film. I am a fan of martial arts flicks – really I am! I really wanted to like this film!
I do enjoy “intelligent dark, satire humor” when it is well done. Personally, I do not feel this film had any of it, but I guess that is why comedy is in the eye of the beholder.
I was pretty disappointed with this although would recommend checking out Eastbound & Down, McBride at his best.