On the last day before summer vacation at a rough-and-tumble high school, mild-mannered teacher Andy Campbell (Charlie Day) accidentally causes his fearsome colleague Ron Strickland (Ice Cube) to be fired. When Strickland then challenges him to a fist fight after school, Campbell must find a way to avoid a vicious beating. Tracy Morgan, Jillian Bell, Christina Hendricks, Dean Norris, and Dennis Haysbert co-star in this comedy directed by Richie Keen. ~ Jack Rodgers, Rovi
Director: Richie
Keen
Cast: Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Tracy Morgan, Jillian Bell,
Dean Norris
Release Date: Feb
17, 2017
Rated R for language Throughout, Drug Material and Sexual
Content/Nudity
Runtime: 1 hr. 31 min.
Genres: Comedy
Fist Fight is a silly comedy that moves at a frantic pace
the moment it starts. Boasting an
excellent comedic cast led by Charlie Day, it’s a mindless comedy that never
takes itself overly seriously. Charlie
Day is put front and center and fans of his style of manic comedy will find
plenty to like. Richie Keen does a
serviceable job of directing the comedy even though there are plenty of missed
opportunities. The most glaring issue is
that the film doesn’t take full advantage of its cast with excellent actors
like Christina Hendricks and Dean Norris showing up in glorified cameos more
than actual roles. Both roles feel like
they could have been expanded a bit to flesh out the nightmare facility. Luckily Keen keeps Ice Cube relegated to
playing a scowling hothead, leaving the comedy to the pros. It’s a good choice that pays off in the end,
leaving the audience with a perfectly zany R rated comedy.
B-
