Dodgeball

Four and a half stars. Highly recommended. Award-level stuff.

Simple plot, great script, and solid performances from comic actors who know how to deliver a funny line. Ben Stiller is fabulous as White Goodman ("Here at Globo Gym we're better than you--and we know it!"), Gary Cole brings just the right amount of absurd professionalism as the sportscaster, and Rip Torn is hilarious as the crusty former dodgeball champ Patches O'Houlihan. Vince Vaughn keeps a cheeky but straight face throughout, and provides forward momentum to keep the to keep the whole thing from sliding into farce. Dodgeball doesn't try to be fancy, or deep, only funny, and at that it succeeds admirably. Go see it now. (And stick around for the credits.)