To say that these two actors have lowered themselves to their roles in this film may be saying a bit too much, but it definitely needs to be said. What we have here is the story of three friends (Schneider, Spade and Napolean Dynamite's Jon Heder) who stumble, almost too literally, into helping a group of nerdy kids win back their respect and self-confidence from a group of bullying jocks by playing in a baseball tournament. It is a heartfelt, but all too familiar story that has been played out over and over again in movies like this. Unfortunately, in order for it to be interesting, it must be somehow different. Here it is not.
While the story is significantly lacking, the acting is average at best. Rob Schneider is slightly more mature in his role than in past roles, and he gives the film its most believable character. (Except for the fact that he has a smoking hot wife — that is completely unrealistic.) David Spade and Jon Heder are more than over the top; they are annoying. Over the top is reserved for the nerdy billionaire, played by Jon Lovitz, and the agoraphobic brother of Spade's character, played by comedian Nick Swardson. None of these characters, even combined, add up to more than a few cheap laughs. But then again, what more can you expect out of a movie like this? It is built for cheap humor that masks a lack of originality.
It is sad to say that I found this movie to be funny, but remember my disclaimer: I am easily amused. So if you were a big fan of movies such as Tommy Boy or Happy Gilmore, you won't be completely disappointed in The Benchwarmers as it will make you laugh. But it may never live up to the aforementioned comedies due to the fact that there is no man in this cast capable of carrying the comedic load. All of these factors make this one extremely difficult for me to recommend to the average moviegoer. Unless you are like me, very easily amused by cheap humor, I would go searching elsewhere for two hours of entertainment.
Article comments
1 - MCH
"It will make you laugh if you think a kid farting on the face of another kid is funny."
LOL, you summed it up perfectly!