# Am I Insane For being excited about 'Balls of Fury'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 23, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679 "2007-08-23T19:45:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/21 "2007-08-24T17:36:29Z")
We have free passes to see it Monday night. I’m not expecting much from it, but I’ll see damn near anything for free, and I love Christopher Walken. I know he has very low standards for what he’ll be in, but I also know he always does his best with the roles he’s given. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2007, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/22 "2007-08-24T20:58:09Z")
I’m actually looking forward to seeing it. I’m just concerned that they might have used all the ‘good’ stuff to make the trailer. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2007, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/23 "2007-08-24T21:17:35Z")
Dang, y’all. It’s not just Christopher Walken. It’s Christopher Walken. In. A. Dress. How can you pass? ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2007, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/24 "2007-08-24T22:23:34Z")
I think it looks more liuke a robe; Oriental style, ya know? And he has a black pompador. And he’s Christopher Walken. I’ll give it a shot. On video. When it hits BlockBuster. ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/25 "2007-08-28T16:43:59Z")
We saw this last night. It’s okay. I’d say if you saw the trailer and didn’t think much of it, you won’t like it. If you saw the trailer and like the OP, were excited about it, you might have a good time. It’s not worth paying full price to see, but a matinee at a theater that serves beer could be good. Or wait for it to come out on DVD or cable. If you like '80s movies, you stand a better chance of enjoying _Balls of Fury_. It’s almost the exact same plot as _Gymkata_, but played for **intentional** laughs, and has the tone of an '80s _Police Academy_-style comedy. I chuckled at a number of gags, smiled at plenty of others, but only really laughed out loud at a few things towards the end. It has some fun cameos in it, but I didn’t think it was anything to wrote home about. It could have been better than it was; the first hour definitely could have been stronger. My husband liked it more than I did, but he didn’t think it was particularly awesome either. We agreed that seeing it on a free pass was a good idea. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/26 "2007-08-28T17:09:12Z")
Generally speaking. Generally. When I see a movie like that released at the end of Summer, I always go, “why didn’t they release that earlier?” What I’m saying is that it looks like it might have potential, and I’d give it the benefit of the doubt if it was coming out in May. A September release? Not so much benefit of doubt. Kind of like that Kevin Bacon movie, or “War”? They werent’ trying to put them up against “Die Hard” and “Bourne Ultimatum”, dig? There are notable exceptions. I figured \*\*Superbad \*\*was released now just to keep it separated from **Knocked Up**. But, I could be wrong. I think its a perfectly serviceable premise, but the talent doesn’t really excite me. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/27 "2007-08-28T18:23:37Z")
I think it’s funnny when Walken gives the line: “Or as the Chinese call it… Peng-Pang” ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/28 "2007-08-28T18:46:32Z")
Most of Walken’s stuff is pretty good, a lot of really off-the-wall humor. There’s not nearly enough of him, considering his presence is the movie’s major selling point. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/29 "2007-08-28T19:22:41Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] …Anyway, if this _had_ been a Jack Black vehicle, I’d automatically pass because I dislike him. [/QUOTE] To you and **Otto** : Really? Huh. Even _School of Rock_? ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/30 "2007-08-28T19:30:33Z")
Can’t you reported to some kind of government watchdog agency for not liking Jack Black? Heathens among us! ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/31 "2007-08-28T21:11:09Z")
Looks like a good movie…for a MST3K Experiment (or barring that, Rifftrax) ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/32 "2007-08-28T21:51:12Z")
[QUOTE=MacTech] Looks like a good movie…for a MST3K Experiment (or barring that, Rifftrax) [/QUOTE] Nah, for me, it wasn’t one of those where you’re so bored you have to make your own fun, or you feel so hostile you feel obligated to berate the movie. It was just…moderately amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/33 "2007-08-29T00:45:45Z")
MST3K/Rifftrax only works when the movie being riffed takes itself seriously. This is why, IMO at least, the _Roadhouse_ Rifftrack was fantastic and the _Fifth Element_ one was only so-so. I know some people think _Fifth Element_ ain’t that hot, but it’s a pretty playful movie regardless of quality. I don’t think _Balls of Fury_ takes itself very seriously. Just a guess. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/34 "2007-08-29T02:42:25Z")
If you’d like a movie about Ping Pong that’s not entirely stupid, there’s the 2002 movie, [Ping Pong](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328258/) (based on the manga of the same name). It wavers between serious and surreal with a moderate amount of humor. [Trailer](http://youtube.com/watch?v=5u5YaGU3ELk) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/35 "2007-08-29T21:59:22Z")
The first reviews are out. Guess insane is the right answer. > [@](#): > > The Reviews Of “Balls Of Fury”: Likely Funnier Than The Film > > Variety claims, “‘Balls of Fury’ has roughly enough laughs for a first-class trailer but wheezes, gasps and finally goes flat through much of its 90 minutes.” The digs didn’t stop there: The movie’s clever marketing slogan – “A huge comedy with tiny balls” – actually has it backward, inasmuch as it takes huge balls to make such grandiose claims about a comedy this tiny. > > The New York Times A.O. Scott wrote a review that is largely a series of hits, “Can summer please be over now?” He sums up the film with, “Balls of Fury” shambles through a checklist of lowbrow comedy conventions. There’s borderline-offensive ethnic humor (Asians talk funny! They eat strange food and speak a different language!), a few bouts of queasily self-conscious homophobic humor, and of course a gorgeous babe in short shorts And finishes, “But the movie seems to exist mainly so that some critic might say: If you see just one table tennis martial arts parody this year, make it “Balls of Fury.” I’m afraid I can’t go that far.” > > Before calling the film tacky and giving it one star, The New York Post review begins: Truth-in-advertising alert: Christopher Walken does not actually show up in Asian drag until halfway through “Balls of Fury” - not enough to salvage this mostly unfunny, extremely silly pingpong comedy. ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/36 "2007-08-29T22:15:58Z")
Yeah, the critics liked it even less than I did. I wasn’t expecting much and found it mediocre, but I’ve seen FAR unfunnier comedies, and it just didn’t piss me off at all. I guess it’s easier for critics to write a review trashing a movie than a lukewarm, “meh” review. ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/37 "2007-08-30T03:45:16Z")
I remember laughing at the trailer for _Hot Stuff_. Went to see the movie. All the funny parts I’d already seen … in the trailer. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/38 "2007-08-30T05:39:38Z")
Well, I’ll be the dissenting view, I suppose. I liked this movie. More than I thought I would. Sure, it had some moments that fell flat, but overall, I found it pretty funny. I am, admittedly, a fan of Thomas Lennon’s brand of humor, and I was a bit surprised to find out he was in it. Lots of crew from “Reno: 911” which, if I had known that in advance, would probably have made me rather leery as I thought the Reno: 911 movie was awful. But I enjoyed this one and wouldn’t mind owning it on DVD some day. ---
**Author:** ![Viridiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Viridiana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Viridiana)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679/39 "2007-08-30T18:32:52Z")
Sure I’m interested. It has cast members from The State. Generally I don’t like obviously dumb movies, but they always make me smile. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-insane-for-being-excited-about-balls-of-fury/416679.md?page=1)