“You’re about as useful as a poopy flavored lollipop.” — Patches O’Houlihan. We examine Dodgeball after 15 years online.
When gym owner White Goodman (Ben Stiller) threatens to foreclose on Peter LaFleur’s Average Joe Gym (Vince Vaughn) to build a parking facility for his members, LaFleur must raise $50,000 to avoid defaulting on his loan.
After a failed carwash initiative to raise the funds, LaFleur and the team sign up for a dodgeball tournament with a $50,000 prize (exactly what is needed – what do you know?).
Spying on LaFleur with a hidden camera, White Goodman learns of LaFleur’s plans to save his gym and uses his connections to join the tournament as well.
“Nobody makes me bleed my own blood. Nobody!” – White Goodman.
From there Dodgeball shifts to the hilarious rather quickly. After Patches (Rip Torn) is killed (R.I.P. Patches – “If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball,” lol), Steve the Pirate (Alan Tudyk) is forced to come to grips with his land loving tendencies and quits the team (because he’s not a real pirate). Down several team members LaFleur will have to face Goodman and his team of trained dodgeball professionals (who carry themselves like Ninja warriors) to save everything he’s built and send Goodman packing.
Even Chuck Norris must face the wrath of Goodman.
“F*ck you, Chuck Norris!” — White Goodman
Dodgeball may be one of the most underrated comedies of the early 2000’s. The movie has inspired numerous quotes and memes, merch and even real life stunts on ESPN.
Should You Stream Dodgeball This Weekend?
Aside from the fact that this classic is now available to stream for free (Amazon Prime members), Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story is filled with endless nuggets that make it a must re-watch this weekend.
In 2019 Rip Thorn “Patches” passed away at the age of 88 from Alzheimer’s disease. Thorn’s film credits go back to 1956 and include classics such as The Cincinnati Kid, Hercules, Men in Black 2 and Freddy Got Fingered. Thorn was also very popular in television, starring in Law and Order, 30 Rock, Will and Grace, and the Larry Sanders Show. If for no other reason, streamers will appreciate another look at Thorn, Stiller, Vaughn, and Christine Tayler “Kate” in their prime, dodging wrenches and balls.
“I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.” — Kate Veatch
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story was released in 2004 and directed by Rawson Marshall Thumber. Now streaming on Amazon Prime.
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