OK for kids 9+
Teacher turns MMA fighter in tween-friendly comedy.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Here Comes the Boom is an action comedy about a teacher who decides to compete in MMA matches to save his school's music department. Even though it deals with a violent sport, there's not too much blood, although there are plenty of bruises, injuries, and hand-to-hand (and foot!) combat. Language and romance are tame (sparing use of words like "ass" and "hell" for the former; some flirting, a date, and one kiss for the latter ), and the messages support the importance of arts education and standing up for what you believe in.
- Families can talk about movies about teachers. Why are public school teachers usually portrayed as either terrible or amazing? Is that realistic?
- Mr. Voss and Mr. Streb are an unlikely pair. What do they each teach the other? Why do they each consider the other a "hero"?
- How does Here Comes the Boom compare to other films about high school teachers?
The good stuff
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Messages: This is a movie about teachers recapturing what inspires them about educating -- and the idea that one person can make a difference. There's also a positive message about the importance of music education in public schools. And, of course, to always follow your dreams.
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Role models: Mr. Streb is a fabulous music teacher who's invested in his students, repairs instruments for lower-income students, and is generally known as a superstar teacher. Mr. Voss starts out uninterested in his teaching career but ends up recommitting himself to his students and to what motivated him to become a teacher in the first place.
What to watch for
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Violence: The Mixed Martial Arts training sessions and competitions are realistically brutal. Although they're occasionally comedic, they definitely leave Mr. Voss (and his opponents) punched, scraped, bruised, and injured (sometimes with blood). MMA is up close and hand-to-hand, and there's lots of kicking and punching. Two incidents of vomiting -- which is gross but then becomes comedic.
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Sex: Mr. Voss flirts with Mrs. Flores every chance he gets, and at the very end he gets his kiss. Salma Hayek wears a couple of cleavage-revealing but not overly risque tops.
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Language: A couple of uses of "ass," "hell," "crap," and "oh my God," plus some scatological humor (the vomiting) and mild insults: "stupid," "sucks," "loser," etc.
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Consumerism: A few product placements, like Wise potato chips, World's Deadliest Car Chases, Triumph motorcycle, Affliction clothing, Columbia fleece jacket, Diet Coke.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Boom!!!! by apriafan
Movie is good family oriented. Great moral great plot. It is proof that you should never give up never give in. And the awesome part is when they pray and then he wins the next round which is also the round he needs to win. No cursing that i heard, no sex. How often do you find a movie without all that
4
PG Not So Serious Family Fun...Entertaining. by Alon Patterson
While the critics weren't particularly impressed, this viewer disagrees with any negative assessment of value here. Sure, the film could have been improved in a couple of ways but it really comes down to whether or not it's entertaining and worth the price of a ticket. That answer would be yes, and yes. Is it the movie of the year? Nope. Still, it's warm, comical and not especially difficult to enjoy. But the boys will probably enjoy it a good bit more than the gals. See it though. You won't be disappointed.
5
Family Enjoyment! by Oregonpharmer
No sex, no profanity, no gore, no pro-socialist agenda - therefore professional critics hate it!
Normal people that enjoy entertainment with a feel-good message will love this movie for what it is, ENTERTAINMENT.
Sometimes we just want an enjoyable movie, and this does the job very well.
5
Exceptionally Inspirational by FROMCHRISSTEWART
This movie is about getting rid of complacency for the right reasons- others. To be an inspiration. To do your best even when the system or the job seems to prohibit it. It shows how to treat a lady as he pursues his love, the school nurse. It shows that even God wrestled Jacob by quoting Genesis and is showed the importance of prayer as the team held hands in prayer together before the big fight. No greater love than to lay down your life for someone. Although he doesn't die, he definitely is offering himself as a gift of love to his friend and to the students. Worth going!!!
5
Kevin James is the bomb! by mattfan12059
This movie was awesome! It was funny, had great action sequences, and some heart in it. Kevin James is fantastic as Scott Voss and so is Salma Hayek as the school's nurse Bella Flores ( who is Scott's love interest). The part with Scott training was my favorite part. Great spots-comedy and one of Kevin James best movies!
4
Here Comes The Boom by wgm
Loved every minute of it. It was hilarous and had a lot of heart. Loved the plot, and had some very real moments and great lines in there. The Cast was fantastic, Kevin James and Henry Wrinkler are perfect together, and the trainer, well nominate him for an oscar. It's not just about fighting it's about standing your ground. This is for MMA Fans, and Comedy fans alike, but don't take my word for it, see it for yourselves.
4
Surprised by dirtboy25
I went into this movie thinking that it would be another Mall Cop or Zookeeper, but unlike those movies, I found myself cheering for the main characters. There was a better level of empathy than with the previous Kevin James movies and you'll have a few laughs too.
4
Get you some BOOM!! by FLASH1465
Got to see an advance screening a few weeks ago and enjoyed it so much paid to see it again with friends. Predictable story BUT suprisingly good performances. Kevin James does an excellent job. Salma Hayek does well. Good to see Henry winkler can still deliver. The movie was laugh out loud funny. The only thing I would say warn about the the film is that the violence is pretty realistic but hey it is a movie about MMA/UFC. I give he movie a solid B+
5
BOOM by johannlwilkerson
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM shake the room. This movie is one of a kind! I enjoyed every minute of it. Kevin James is one of a kind. This movie had all the thrills of an action packed movie, all the humor of a comedy and all the romance of a love story! UFC, love story,education, The American spirit! Who could ask for anything more!
4
Funny movie.... by npd4866
There was some funny parts to the movie. Kevin James was funny and pulled off the part pretty well. He uplifted the kids in the class and got a lady in the process. A win win. I don't really think he could do the real UFC, but it was funny. Kid/ teenager friendly.