Ping Pong Strong
Balls of Fury
Review by Ross Anthony

Balls of FuryWhen I first heard about this picture, I thought to myself, "A screwball comedy with Christopher Walken -- I'm in!" But then I saw the previews which looked horrible. But the truth of the matter is quite in between. "Fury" has qualities of a flop, but it also has sparkling moments of silly redemption.

Its opening scenes are cut-quick, loud, flashy, they really seem like they should be funny -- but they flatly aren't. At my screening, I wasn't the only one not laughing. But, out of nowhere our anti-hero pings a ball off some guy's head, "Ah ... a volunteer!" "No," the guy replies dumbfounded, "I was just getting some mac and cheese." Finally, the silent audience begins to laugh.

Soon afterward George Lopez takes to the screen with strength and the film actually starts rolling. Add Maggie Q. with great looks and even greater moves, baddabing baddaboom, "Fury" begins to entertain.

At the halfway mark, Christopher Walken struts on screen with flamboyant power and takes control. This guy could say anything and I'd crack up. As it turned out, he had some very funny lines.

Overall, the film begins without a pulse and though it does fire intermittent blanks throughout, "Balls of Fury" musters up momentum with a silly sense of humor that eventually, just barely wins over its audience. It's a strong B or weak B+. I'm forced to Round up...B+. If you're a Def Leppard fan, you'll have a great time. And if you do have a great time, try Blades of Glory

Balls of Fury

-- Book Contest --


  • Balls of Fury. Copyright © 2007.
  • Starring Dan Fogler, Christopher Walken, George Lopez, Maggie Q, James Hong, Terry Crews, Robert Patrick, Diedrich Bader, Aisha Tyler, Thomas Lennon, Jason Scott Lee, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brett DelBuono, David Koechner.
  • Directed by Robert Ben Garant.
  • Screenplay by Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant.
  • Produced by Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman, Thomas Lennon at Rogue/Intrepid/Spyglass.

Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Thursday, 30-Aug-2007 23:14:02 PDT