Blu-ray Review: “Fist Fight” Throws A Ton Of Low Blows

[yasr_overall_rating]

When one school teacher gets the other fired, he is challenged to an after-school fight.

On the last day of school, which is known for craziness on behalf of the students, “Fist Fight” takes a complete turn as it matches up two dysfunctional teachers for an old-school beat down. Ice Cube, who is known for playing strong and bully-type roles, is consistent with this character as he plays Ron Strickland, who is known amongst faculty and students for keeping peace with his stern voice or strong sense of presence alone. On the other hand, Charlie Day plays a less threatening Andy Campbell, who tries to think his way through the student’s shenanigans in order to come out on top. In what appears to be a trying day from the very first scene, the entire administrative staff is plagued by outrageous tricks that only a school full of immature and extremely bored students can conjure up.

Knowing that the school is in the process of streamlining its staff to meet the budget, is another burden faced by the teachers that cause them to declare war on one another as each tries to survive the struggle from both ends. The real punches begin when Mr. Strickland tries desperately to lose his job and Mr. Campbell overcompensates while trying to ensure that he keeps it, and they both fail to communicate their intentions to one another. To further complicate things, Mr. Campbell has the additional responsibility of a wife who is about to deliver their second child, and a daughter who has been promised dad’s participation in a school play that very same day.

The tension, excitement, and laughter builds as Mr. Campbell does everything he possibly can to avoid the fight at the end of the day and then realizes that he must spend more time preparing for it as he comes to the conclusion that it is totally unavoidable. Comedian and Actor Tracy Morgan steps in as Coach Crawford who can only offer his best fight tips so that it won’t be an entire blowout. When the fist fight between the two teachers finally plays out, it is a rough and tumble bloody mess that the entire school has waited patiently for, and just after the final knockout, Mr. Campbell is brought back to life just in time to witness his child’s birth and his daughter’s play, with the help of his personal bruiser Mr. Strickland.

After both lose their jobs, they are forced to come to terms with their differences and then mutually agree to return to the school as weaker, yet wiser men who will fight together for the sake of the students. With lots of corny laughs, major immaturity, and bitter camaraderie, director Richie Keen has managed to make this film quirky enough to be worth the price of admission.

Available on Blu-ray & DVD Tuesday, May 30th