FIST FIGHT (2017)

Directed By: Richie Keen 
Written By: Van Robichaux & Evan Susser 
Story By: Max Greenfield, Van Robichaux & Evan Susser 
Cinematography By: Eric Edwards 
Editor: Matthew Freund 


Cast: Charlie Day, Ice Cube, Jillian Bell, Tracy Morgan, Dean Norris, Kumail Nanjani, JoAnna Garcia-Swisher, Dennis Haysbert, Christina Hendricks, Kym Whitley, Stephne Weir, Alexa Nisenson, Max Carver, Charlie Carver, Nolan Bateman 


When one school teacher unwittingly causes another teacher's dismissal, he is challenged to an after-school fight.

At first I thought this would be a fun disposable film but almost from the beginning the film shows off a bad attitude and hair disgusting hateful characters. Usually the teenage students are the ones who aren't the victims but more the bullies.

Even when the film tries to be funny it is more offensive and gross. Worst of all none of it is funny. As the film has a noted talented cast who are given nothing to play but exclusively one dimensional characters. Christina Hendricks fates the worst as her teacher is noticeably attractive but just violent for no reason.

Most of the more notable cast members other Thant he leads seem here more for a quick paycheck and make a few quick appearances. They more or less feel like a bunch of guest stars and special appearances.

Charlie Day can be funny but his character is just so unbelievably, sniveling and weak that it is impossible to find any sympathy or even identify with his character. Though he tries to wring everything he can out of the material and script. It's a shame as he aid the talent to be a leading man and funny and it just feels he is wasted here.

It's a shame as he deserves to have more big screen fame and I can't say That he has ever really appeared in a film that was actually really good. now he has been good in a few terrible films though. Where he has been one of the only noteworthy things in the films. (HORRIBLE BOSSES) Jillian bell is mildly amusing in her role as Charlie's confident and fellow teacher. Ice Cube doesn't have much range. It strangely though his character is over the top. He is somewhat likeable and the only real scene that approaches humor is when he reenacts all the stories that are told about his past that resemble all his old movie roles.

The only other scene that comes close to being funny or amusing is day's daughters talent show which is more shocking then funny and the actual fight at the end.

Like a reimagining of THREE O’CLOCK HIGH only from the teachers P.O.V. With scenes that seem to copy from that film or at least it's plot points. The humor is more adult here yet seems more simplistic and childish. In other words a lot more stupid. Which is why I find it hard to believe it took three people to come up with the story of the film.

It tries too hard to be shocking that it seems to get lost in it's own bad material. Like someone trying to copy and water down an episode of VICE PRINCIPALS. So that there is no nuance.

The film just feels like all it contains is bright colors. Though the film and the script and in essence the humor is very lazy. Even with the hyperkinetic camera and editing that tries to make it feel energetic.


GRADE: F