Film review - Goon

Everyone loves an underdog story, and what better way to show the rise of an unlikely hero than in a sports movie. We’ve seen Rocky Balboa overcome the odds, Ralf Macchio become the Karate Kid and now, in 2012, we have the latest zero-to-hero offering, Goon.


Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott) is an outcast in his parent's eyes. They are academic-strong whereas he is a simple minded bouncer only handy with one thing; his fists. When he attends an ice hockey match with best friend and ice hockey fanatic Ryan (Jay Baruchel) one of the players picks a fight with Ryan and Doug steps in to deal with the situation. Knocking out the player with relative ease, Doug soon gains recognition from the crowd and is tapped up by the local hockey team's manager as their 'goon'. 


Being used as the man to tackle all fights on the ice, Doug begins to build himself a reputation and joins an amateur league team where competition is much tougher. As Doug's reputation as a brawler increases he finds himself falling for a fan (Allison Pill) and attracting the attention of soon-returning fighter on the ice Ross Rhena (Liev Schreiber). After time on the sidelines Rhena returns to the ice and the ultimate showdown between the two becomes the most talked about event in amateur ice hockey.


Goon is like all underdog sports movies; you have the formula of a simple, loveable character with a heart as strong as a lion, the rise to stardom and finally the obstacle to overcome in the finale. There is nothing new here to be fair but it's safe to say there doesn't need to be. Scott excels in playing a not-so-intelligent guy thrown into a world of pain and skates, and his support cast lend most of the laughs, from Baruchel's sweary number one fan to the ensemble hockey team including Russian brothers and a divorcee who can't quite get over his marriage failing. 


All play their parts well but it is in fact the fight scenes that draw in the most entertainment. To say they are brutal could indeed be seen as understatement as we witness teeth flying out, blood shed at every opportunity and a very wince-worthy puck to the mouth moment. In between the fighting there is present a love story which will be a welcome addition for those viewers looking for those softer moments. 


If you're after a light-hearted underdog story with a bit of brutality and plenty of spirit then Goon is the one for you. With a handful of funny moments and a good cast it's hard not to like this sports comedy. A good 90 minutes well spent. 


Film rating: 3 out of 5 F's