Review of Fist Fight (2017) by Orlando O — 24 Feb 2017

Ice Cube and Charlie Day going head to head about two high school teachers going to fight each other after school is basically what sums up the whole movie. Ice Cube and Charlie Day are both hilarious, Cube does well playing in comedic roles as a tempered, mean street looking guy and Day playing a fast talking, talk it out kind of guy. Seeing these two on screen is entertaining.

The plot follows the last day of high school, and senior prank day. Andy (Charlie Day) an English teacher, with his wife baby on the way, and hoping the teacher review goes well as his school is having cutbacks with the staff. Then, there is Strictland (Ice Cube) a history teacher, with a short temper and trying to have strict rules in keeping the teens in check from slacking off. When Strictland's outburst causes him to smash a student's desk with an axe. Sending Strictland and Andy both to the principle office. Andy snitched out on Strictland, letting Strictland to be let go from teaching. Strictland threatens Andy that he will fight him after school and to be there.

The pros about the film are it does have its fair share of comedic moments. Like I mentioned earlier about Charlie Day and Ice Cube both are hilarious as sensitive guy vs. rough personality guy. Seeing Day trying to get out of the fight by bribing a student with a macbook to tell the principle a lie to end their conflict. Or finding a student dealing drugs to frame another. The entire film takes place within that one day, but does leave the plot feeling thin.

Some things that did not work with Fist Fight besides the lack of plot and character development. I feel like some of the jokes and humor did miss their mark with going into uncomfortable situations. Like a guidance counselor hitting on her students or trying to flirt with them as she checks them out. As Andy states it out there, that it would not end happy as its shown on the news all the time. Also, Christina Hendricks character feels out of place and brief. Playing a staff member that has fascinations of wanting to cut someone. Which is stupid funny kind of humor. Sure, there are some things in the movie that would be hard to believe that students can get away with their pranks that may be crossing the line. Sure, it was all played for gags and laughs, and it worked.

Overall, Fist Fight is a fair comedy film with two awesome leads that bicker at each other that is endless of entertainment. If you do not mind a comedy film with a thin plot, and some stupid fun humor.