"That's a nice-a donut."

Thursday, July 28, 2005


Bad News Bears (2005)

In the ever-expanding world of "movie remakes that weren't necessary," comes director Richard Linklater's Bad News Bears (no "The" this time, for whatever reason). And in a pleasing turn of events, this update is just as good as the original. A few of the specific plot elements have been updated for a new generation, but the story is almost identical - even down to having a similar music score with similar music cues. We have the standard plot where the sloth of coach leads a scraggly gang of kids in some sport (baseball) and, while the team is horrible at first, things eventually turn around. It is the performance of lead Billy Bob Thornton though that saves the movie from being just another mindless retread.

Billy Bob is hilarious, more than holding his own against Walter Matthau's seminal performance as crusty Coach Buttermaker. His deadpan delivery is just right and his style fits well with the somewhat more risque nature of these Bears. This time Buttermaker is an exterminator, not a pool cleaner, and he's even a bit of a ladies' man. He beds one of the player's moms and even has a throng of groupies that cheer for the team at each game. A few of the players are different compared to the original film as well. There is still the fat Engelberg (Brandon Craggs), the bratty Tanner (Timmy Deters), and the booger-eating Lupus (Tyler Patrick Jones), but now the token Black kid likes Mark McGwire instead of Hank Aaron, and there is even a kid in a wheelchair. Overall, the kids on the team do a pretty good job. Kelly Leak (Jeffrey Davies), the ringer, is probably the weak spot. But I loved Lupus, who does a spot-on Ralph Wiggum impression for much of the film.

Linklater, the versatile auteur, who has created a wide variety of memorable films including Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise/Sunset, and School of Rock, has put his own touch on the movie. The MPAA rating may be PG-13, but this isn't exactly a family film. It's very rebellious in nature. But it's also clear that he has embraced The Bad News Bears that many of us have come to know well. There are a few nice referential moments, for example to Chico's Bail Bonds, which is no longer the sponsor of the Bears. The new sponsor is... well, let's just say that it's a bit more adult-oriented.

Most of the flaws in the original film hold true here, mainly since the plot is nearly the same. It definitely loses some points for originality. Many will wonder why this was necessary - and it wasn't - but it is a crowd pleaser and is very funny. Billy Bob could end up being typecast in pretty much the same role (a la this and Bad Santa) for the rest of his career and I'd still find it hilarious every time.

The Verdict: B.

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