Plot
A group of misfits enter a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament in order to save their cherished local gym from the onslaught of a corporate health fitness chain.
Release Year: 2004
Rating: 6.6/10 (88,199 voted)
Critic's Score: 55/100
Director:
Rawson Marshall Thurber
Stars: Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Vince Vaughn
Storyline White Goodman is the owner and founder of Globo Gym, and would love nothing more than owning Average Joe's Gymnasium. Peter LaFleur doesn't want to lose his gym to Goodman, but can't find a way to get $50,000 in time. Peter and his gang of gym buddies think of ways to raise money, finally settling on winning a dodgeball tournament. White Goodman retaliates by creating his own dodgeball team to finish off Peter. Peter's team doesn't do too well, until legendary ADAA champ Patches O'Houlihan turns up ready to train them.
Cast: Vince Vaughn
-
Peter La Fleur
Christine Taylor
-
Kate Veatch
Ben Stiller
-
White Goodman
Rip Torn
-
Patches O'Houlihan
Justin Long
-
Justin
Stephen Root
-
Gordon
Joel David Moore
-
Owen
Chris Williams
-
Dwight
Alan Tudyk
-
Steve the Pirate
Missi Pyle
-
Fran
Jamal Duff
-
Me'Shell Jones
(as Jamal E. Duff)
Gary Cole
-
Cotton McKnight
Jason Bateman
-
Pepper Brooks
Hank Azaria
-
Young Patches O'Houlihan
Al Kaplon
-
Tournament Referee
Taglines:
Grab life by the ball.
Release Date: 18 June 2004
Filming Locations: 1150 N. Orange Drive - Los Angeles, California, USA
Box Office Details
Budget: $20,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend: $30,070,196
(USA)
(20 June 2004)
(2694 Screens)
Gross: $114,324,072
(USA)
(31 October 2004)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
According to the director's commentary on the DVD, Rawson Marshall Thurber wrote the parts of Peter La Fleur, White Goodman, and Justin with Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, and Justin Long respectively in mind. The latter was chosen because of his role in
Galaxy Quest.
Goofs:
Continuity:
When White Goodman slides the contract on the table, he slides it right beside the suitcase of money, but the suitcase disappears in the next shot.
Quotes: White Goodman:
This is it, La 'Loser.' You ready for the, whoo, hurricane? Peter La Fleur:
Just don't go cryin' to your mommy when I spank you in front of all these people, White. White Goodman:
You don't go cryin' to your daddy after I wipe it up with your face. Peter La Fleur:
Uh, White? White Goodman:
Yeah? Peter La Fleur:
You look awful fat in those pants.
User Review
Go Team Slapstick!
Rating: 7/10
Once every few years, you're presented to a slapstick comedy so
hilarious you instantly forget how LOW this form of entertainment
actually is. I can't give a scientific explanation to state how come
it's funny to see someone (preferably wearing glasses) getting hit in
the face by a ball…it just is. Dodgeball is vulgar, crude and without
substance…but your stomach will hurt from laughing and don't we all
need that from time to time? In case you really want to defend this
film, you can always say it features tons of unsubtle criticism towards
modern American image of exaggerated health-obsession. Ben Stiller's
character is the personification of the obnoxious fitness guru: 'We're
better than you, and we know it'. Opposed to him, there's Vince Vaughn
as the chilled-minded, lovable guy who owns a fitness center for the
underdeveloped wimps. Due to his financial situation, he risks losing
his gym to Stiller except if he and his teams of misfits manage to win
the world-famous dodgeball tournament. The film is a series of cheap
chuckles, eccentric characters and outrageous one-liners. It's pretty
funny to hear Stiller yell out lines like: 'You're a skid mark on the
underpants of society'. Or the always-amusing Rip Torn encouraging his
team with the words: 'you're as useful as a cock-flavored lollipop'.
The acting is great as it can be with Ben Stiller and Rip Torn who go
delightfully over the top and lots of enthusiast cameos (Chuck Norris,
David Hasselhof, William Shatner and even Lance Armstrong). It sure
isn't Schindler's List but Dodgball is great entertainment and stress
releasing.
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