Review of Goon (2012) by Joel C — 04 Nov 2012

Firstly, it took me a while to realize stuff like this happens in real sports. Yes in a spur of the moment there can be a fight or two, but legally recruiting someone to rough up the opposition in a live game of hockey is definitely new. What's even fresher is Sean William Scott plays a humble down-to-earth character even after going for super-stardom.

Doug (Seann William Scott) works as a bouncer in a local tavern who belongs to a family of highly educated professionals. One day a hockey team coach notices his talent of dealing with miscreants and offers him a place in the local hockey team, his job is precisely to protect the rest of the team and smash the opposition. He gets promoted to the state level team who is wildly encouraged by his foul mouthed friend Pat (Jay Baruchel). Here he comes face to face with a notorious and legendary goon of the opposite team Ross Rhea (Liev Schreiber) and facing him will make him part of history.

Sean William Scott gives a humble performance who otherwise is associated with jerk like characters. Jay Baruchel is energetic and occasionally over the top, while the rest of the team members are aptly cast. Liev gives the necessary image required for the notoriety associated with Ross Rhea character as the face off builds up the second half of the movie. It is a simple story with generic sports drama elements only that it is not a normal sport and our protagonist is not a conventional sports person. Decent runtime, the injected love story starts good but drags a bit after a while. The final showdown drama is well done.

Go with no expectations and you will not be too disappointed.