Balls of Fury

Director: Robert Ben Garant

Starring: Dan Fogler, Christopher Walken, George Lopez

In this year’s obligatory ‘obscure sport-themed comedy’ a former professional ping-pong player, Randy Daytona (Fogler), is roped into the underground world of extreme ping-pong to recapture his former glory and to help the FBI out along the way. FBI Agent Rodriguez (Lopez) needs Randy’s help to unmask a master criminal and killer of Randy’s father, Feng (Walken). Randy must call on the guidance of an elite team of personal trainers and overcome his fears if he is ever to avenge his father’s death. Will he be able to survive in the unsanctioned and unhinged world of extreme ping-pong?

Well the only way of finding out the answer to this question is by going to see this hilarious comedy! This movie does not take itself seriously for a second; the cast all appear to be having fun on camera which is a great asset for this type of film. Walken shines as he makes Feng appear more and more strangely twisted as the movie goes on. Fogler too provides many an immature laugh as a loveable rogue. And the gorgeous Maggie Q will almost certainly keep most males in the audience highly entertained!

With so many sport-themed films on release it may seem hard to see how Balls of Fury could come up with anything original. Yet it keeps the audience rolling on the floor in hysterics with its countless martial arts spoofs and hilarious ping-pong fanatics (keep an eye out for the Karl character!). The film is also stylish in its portrayal of ping-pong matches, with the action looking much more dramatic than your average game at the sport’s centre! The bright colour scheme gives the movie an energetic and fun feel.

This surprisingly fun movie is a must-see for lovers of physical comedy and films that don’t take themselves or anything else too seriously. A cheerfully dumb and harmless movie for all those wishing to escape from their hectic schedules and witness some serious ping-pong action!

Julia Huntenburg