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HERE COMES THE BOOMMovie Reviews
Comedy about an apathetic high school teacher who moonlights as a mixed martial arts fighter to raise money needed to save his school's music program. Cast:Kevin James, Henry Winkler, Salma Hayek, Greg Germann, Joe Rogan, Gary Valentine, Charice, Bas Rutten, Reggie Lee, Mark DellaGrotteDirector:Frank CoraciRelease Date:October 12, 2012DVD Release:February 5, 2013From:Sony PicturesRating:PGLength:1 hr 45 min
Here Comes the Boom played to fair reviews. • Mick LaSalle wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle, "The movie's attempt to balance silliness and seriousness is undermined by the flat-out absurdity of the premise... enjoyable, if forgettable..." More Reviews Below...
Here Comes the Boom Positive Reviews (35 Reviews, reviews below)
David Germain, Associated Press: MODERATE(cg) "...every bit as ridiculous as it looks... There are decent gags and laughs, but in between, it's 'here comes the boor' -- James acting the buffoon to little effect..."(See all of David Germain's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 627 words, 10/11/12
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: FAIR(cg) "...a cloddish, harmlessly drecky comedy from the Adam Sandler factory of crude mush... That's a mighty load of sweaty, XXL bare torso to watch."(See all of Lisa Schwarzbaum's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 392 words, 10/12/12
Scott Bowles, USA Today: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...telegraphs every punch in its arsenal, but when the comedy connects, it can deliver with funny force.... the movie is a fighter with the heart to be a contender."(See all of Scott Bowles's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 465 words, 10/12/12
James Rocchi, MSN Movies: MODERATE(cg) "...may be a montage-heavy rip-off of fight films since the beginning of time, but it's at least smart enough... combines moments for the heart with blows to the head..."(See all of James Rocchi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 582 words, 10/10/12
James Berardinelli, Reel Views: MODERATE(cg) "...leaves no cliché untouched... The dramatic elements are half-baked.... The biggest thing Kevin James has going for him is his likeability."(See all of James Berardinelli's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 637 words, 10/12/12
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (13 Reviews)
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...moderately enjoyable.... harmless fun, assuming that you consider the spectacle of men trying to slug and kick one another into unconsciousness to be harmless."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 186 words, 10/12/12
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: WEAK(cg) "...all banality... it delivers some goodwill even as it pulls a muscle trying to get its premise going.... What shouldn't be counted out is James' willingness to go all-out..."(See all of Joe Neumaier's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 360 words, 10/12/12
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: WEAK "The film works hard at its inoffensiveness. Throughout, jokes are left on the table... Kevin James is so busy being nice that he forgets to be funny."(See all of Mark Olsen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 229 words, 10/12/12
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...begins not well... But once it gets going and commits to its time-worn inspirational formula, it's not half-bad... surprisingly engaging..."(See all of Michael Phillips's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 426 words, 10/12/12
Frank Lovece, New York Newsday: MODERATE(cg) "...except for a few moments of effective slapstick -- the best of it involving vomiting in the ring, as hard as that is for me to write -- there's not much funny..."(See all of Frank Lovece's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 388 words, 10/12/12
Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine: MODERATE "...even if it doesn't quite work as a comedy (it's not particularly funny), or a drama (it's not particularly poignant), it has an earnest charm that keeps us engaged."(See all of Bilge Ebiri's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 560 words, 10/12/12
Bill Zwecker, Chicago Sun-Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...pretty good... I came away happy to watch a movie that attempts to remind us of the importance of stepping up and taking the initiative to help a friend in need."(See all of Bill Zwecker's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 282 words, 10/12/12
Andrew Schenker, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...an affable, saccharine, rudimentarily functional comedy... stirringly makes the recapturing of professional motivation its subject..."(See all of Andrew Schenker's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 233 words, 10/10/12
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: WEAK(cg) "...a flabby mishmash of high school inspirational tale and Mixed Martial Arts fighting exhibitionism... surprisingly light on laughs."(See all of Linda Barnard's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 560 words, 10/12/12
Stephen Cole, Toronto Globe & Mail: MODERATE(cg) "At its best when James is mixing it up with Hayak and old pro Henry Winkler... the plot, though beyond incredible, is at the very least distracting."(See all of Stephen Cole's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 531 words, 10/12/12
Gary Thompson, Philadelphia Inquirer: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...good-natured... James is in his element here... he gets a lot of help from a large ensemble, led by Bas Rutten, a former MMA star... The two have great chemistry..."(See all of Gary Thompson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 354 words, 10/12/12
Janice Page, Boston Globe: MODERATE(cg) "The real head-scratcher is why anyone thought 'Boom' should take itself so seriously. James isn't anything special when he plays it straight."(See all of Janice Page's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 635 words, 10/12/12
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: MODERATE(cg) "The movie's attempt to balance silliness and seriousness is undermined by the flat-out absurdity of the premise... enjoyable, if forgettable..."(See all of Mick LaSalle's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 490 words, 10/12/12
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: WEAK(cg) "James is strangely unsympathetic... Loud, incoherent and unfunny, 'Here Comes the Boom' is the sound of American culture imploding."(See all of Joe Williams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 318 words, 10/12/12
Steve Persall, Tampa Bay Times: MODERATE(cg) "It's the combination of 'Warrior' and 'Mr. Holland's Opus' nobody asked for, but here it comes anyway... It's all harmless, if not entirely fun."(See all of Steve Persall's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 343 words, 10/11/12
Adam Graham, Detroit News: MODERATE(cg) "...so full of clichés from other, better movies that it almost plays like a parody of an underdog tale. Call it 'Inspirational Movie.' "(See all of Adam Graham's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 325 words, 10/12/12
Roger Moore, Miami Herald: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Kid-friendly funnyman Kevin James is at his cuddliest... amusing but sometimes unsettling... It works, after a fashion. But that doesn't mean you won't wince."(See all of Roger Moore's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 465 words, 10/12/12
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (10 Reviews)
Andrew Schenker, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...an affable, saccharine, rudimentarily functional comedy... stirringly makes the recapturing of professional motivation its subject..."(See all of Andrew Schenker's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 233 words, 10/10/12
Mack Rawden, Cinema Blend: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "The plot might be a bit stupid and occasionally emotionally manipulative, but it's also well paced by director Frank Coraci and steadily increases its momentum."(See all of Mack Rawden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 641 words, 10/11/12
Nathan Rabin, AV Club: WEAK(cg) "...the film seems to have made it from the pitch stage to the big screen without an iota of inspiration, ambition, or personality seeping in at any juncture."(See all of Nathan Rabin's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 469 words, 10/11/12
Cynthia Fuchs, Pop Matters: POOR(cg) "...it's a Happy Madison production, that is, a movie designed as fun for its makers, and if the rest of you want to (or can) feel that fun vibe, that's cool too."(See all of Cynthia Fuchs's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 809 words, 10/12/12
Inkoo Kang, Movieline: WEAK(cg) "Kevin James creates a witty, confident everyman in the first act, only to sacrifice him to the pic's demands for formula and sentimentality thereafter."(See all of Inkoo Kang's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 778 words, 10/10/12
Chris Cabin, Slant: POOR(cg) "As a comedy, the film aims low and manages to miss the mark entirely.... an assemblage of blockbuster clichés... calculated, hollow, completely meaningless..."(See all of Chris Cabin's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 522 words, 10/11/12
Edward Adams, Atlanta Creative Loafing: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "Kevin James at his surprising best. This well written and action-fueled comedy cleverly makes a poignant statement while delivering action, heart, and humor."(See all of Edward Adams's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 645 words, 10/12/12
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...moderately enjoyable.... harmless fun, assuming that you consider the spectacle of men trying to slug and kick one another into unconsciousness to be harmless."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 186 words, 10/12/12
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: WEAK "The film works hard at its inoffensiveness. Throughout, jokes are left on the table... Kevin James is so busy being nice that he forgets to be funny."(See all of Mark Olsen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 229 words, 10/12/12
MOVIE INDUSTRY (3 Reviews)
John Anderson, Daily Variety: MODERATE "...a sports story so daffy it may as well star Kevin James.... a triumph of recycling... The overall tenor is clangorously discordant.... the characters are likable..."(See all of John Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 579 words, 10/10/12
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times: WEAK "The film works hard at its inoffensiveness. Throughout, jokes are left on the table... Kevin James is so busy being nice that he forgets to be funny."(See all of Mark Olsen's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 229 words, 10/12/12
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...moderately enjoyable.... harmless fun, assuming that you consider the spectacle of men trying to slug and kick one another into unconsciousness to be harmless."(See all of Neil Genzlinger's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 186 words, 10/12/12
13.9 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Here Comes the Boom's reviews are separated by an average 13.9 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Here Comes the Boom (35 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Here Comes the Boom's reviews cover 45.6% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 15,500 words involume (average is 20,194 words). Length:The film's reviews average 443 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Here Comes the Boom Coverage, Volume & Length (35 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 8.1 Hours Before Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Here Comes the Boom's reviews on average broke 8.1 hours before opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Here Comes the Boom's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Here Comes the Boom (35 reviews, click on bars for reviews)
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