Michael Dowse’s Goon (2012) Movie Review

Directed by: Michael Dowse
Screenplay by: Jay Baruchel & Evan Goldberg
Inspired by the book “Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey” by Adam Frattasio & Doug Smith
Cast: Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, Alison Pill, Marc-André Grondin, Kim Coates, Eugene Levy, Liev Schreiber
Running Time: 92 minutes

I heard about GOON months ago, but didnt felt the desire or need to watch it. Even without watching the movie trailer went into the movie completely blank. Doug Glatt (played by Seann William Scott), an underachieving club bouncer at a Boston bar who doesn’t live up to his overachieving family of doctors, including his father (portrayed by Eugene Levy). Doug Glatt dreams of the kind of success enjoyed by minor league hockey goon Ross Rhea (Liev Schreiber). When a chance encounter with an on-ice thug leads to a bloody fist fight that Doug easily wins, the coach of the Halifax Highlanders sees potential in this mammoth sized man who is only hampered by his lack of any hockey playing ability and his brother’s old figure skates. Standing up to the taunts of the other players, Doug manages to join the team, and with the encouragement of his hockey obsessed best friend (Jay Baruchel) quickly becomes a rising star. Beating the crap out of everything that stands in his way. Seann William Scott definately tried very hard to shed the stiffler’s image from American Pie. Playing a different type of character he was good in his role, but in some scenes he looks a bit over dumb. Alison Pill is good in her character tinged with sadness as Eva. Chemistry between the lead characters was missing by long way. Jay Baruchel as hockey-lusting Ryan takes the comedy to the next level. Liev Schreiber as Ross the Boss was agressive in his limited role, he will be remembered for his climax episode. Kim Coates is fine. Rest of the cast was supportive. The script is a bit slow but the direction and cast performance and feeling portrayed is strong and semi-realistic. On the whole, Goon captures the HOCKEY very well. It even suceeded in capturing Speed and Risk in Ice Hockey. Worth a shot folks…

Survi Review: 3/5

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Theatrical Trailer: