Kenn
As a TaeKwonDo black belt I was hoping for a funnier flick... but this was just so over the top. Had the language not have been so bad it would have been tolerable. I don't know why they thought it was necessary to have so much foul language in the film when a curse word or two would have been enough to convey the scene. The plot was OK but it could have been so much better. I thought it could have been funny but it just wasn't. I was actually impressed though that the techniques and TKD were actually very good for a movie about TKD. Given the detail given to accuracy of forms and verbiage I hated to see punches to the head in the film.By the way: "Tae" means "foot" or "to strike with the feet". "Kwon" means "hand", or "to strike with the hand". "Do" means discipline, art, or way. Hence TaeKwonDo (foot-hand-way) means literally "the art of the feet and the hands" or "the art of kicking and punching". Different schools and/or styles may impose different variations on the formal definition however.
Movie_Muse_Reviews
Surprise hit comedies are generally the ones that feature a relatively under-exposed actor with great comedic talent in a central role. That is what Danny McBride as Fred Simmons is supposed to be. It's not a bad movie, but it scratches the surface of what it could be. It feels like "The Foot Fist Way" is the very long pilot of a TV series that didn't get picked up: like there was something more that needed to happen and characters that needed to be developed.The film is a small character-driven comedy created by a trio of friends who have been nurtured by the Will Ferrell and Adam McKay screwball character movie teat. Danny McBride, the star, Jody Hill, director and supporting actor and Ben Best, supporting actor, all wrote the story of Simmons, a tae kwan do instructor in Alabama who's full of himself yet humbly insecure.There's really no plot until halfway through the movie, giving it that episodic "this should be broken up into smaller, fleshed out parts" feel. Supporting characters jump in and out rather than contribute to a flowing narrative. The only thing that stays solid is the rocky relationship subplot between Simmons and his tall-built bimbo wife (a rather untalented Mary Jane Bostic).Admirably, these three amigos try and create a character for McBride that is both a verbal machine gun of ridiculous phrases and someone who uses that same egotistical technique to work out his emotional problems. In other words, someone who is supposed to be hilarious but self-revealing at the same time -- a complex goofball. Their first trial run is hit or miss on the comedic end and just short on creating a meaningful character. McBride is capable, but they don't really push the concept hard enough.A glorified TV episode might be all it is, but there's talent in this group of aspiring comedy filmmakers.
lil_LEBOSKIurbanACHIEVER
What makes "The Foot Fist Way" so funny? Well I'll tell you what; Danny Mcbride, Jody Hill, and Ben Bests terrific sarcastic and satirical writing style. This movie was very well done for the budget and what it had to offer. I love the mockery of Tae Kwon Do and American culture the movie brings forth. Their writing style is highly innovative as Hill and the rest bring a new type humor out to our plates. I would frame this style as extremely sarcastic and satirical with a smidgen of realism. This whole movie sort of reminded me of one of my favorite shows of all time "Mr. Show, with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross" Now that being said, right there in itself that is a huge compliment.The movie is about a local Tae Kwon Do instructor named Fred Simmons(McBride) and his struggles with Delusions of Grangeur, his wife's infidelity and the students he teaches. This movie takes us on a documentary type feel through Simmons life and the nervous breakdown he encounters while trying to keep his cool through his own life's problems. Well believe me when I say some peoples miseries are others reasons for cracking up! McBride is great as the self absorbed, narcissistic Simmon's and will be loved by anyone who was ever taught Tae Kwon Do by an overweight, possibly alcoholic, terribly tacky and American martial arts teacher who drives a 1987 Ferrari for flash.I believe it takes a certain type of viewer to enjoy this film though- Someone of intelligence, sarcasm prone and satire friendly. If you fit that type of viewer depiction then "The Foot Fist Way" is a must see! A cult classic for many years to come,With some of the greatest one liners of all time and a kick ass cheesy soundtrack to boot. The specific FFW viewer will always love and quote this GEM.
thefade
at least thats my view. i do not consider this movie a comedy at all. sure it has some funny scenes. but most of it makes you despise the main character even more. and still at the end you see the core of him being real. it's great how the director manages to make this turn plausible. i wasn't aware of the low budget nature of the movie till i read the reviews here. it really doesn't hurt it. and the acting is absolutely adequate. in conclusion: it's a great film about real live (similar to andreas dresen's movies about German life). it sure hurts but still can't be denied. maybe you just have to like this kind of movie. i sure did.
AD
