Admit it, you enjoy seeing people in pain and agony, and there's just something that is hysterical about seeing someone get hit in the face or the groin with a ball of any type. You'll laugh at something like that when you see it on some major sporting event on television, and we all have fond memories of the same thing happening in school, particularly in grade school. Those would have been the days of lunch boxes, recess, and playing games of dodge ball in PE class. It was either that or having to do that stupid crab walk and play with the cage ball, something that wasn't terrible, especially when someone would get pummeled too hard, but dodge ball isn't just a school yard game anymore. Aside from the glorious Nintendo game, Super Dodge Ball that brought back some very fond memories, you can even find the game, or rather, it's considered a sport these days, on cable television, proving that the game hasn't lost it's fan base. DodgeBall is back as a movie as well.

Ah, but many of have probably seen DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story already, but there is yet another version of the film you haven't seen; the unrated version. Many already know the rags to riches story of Peter LaFluer (Vince Vaughn) owner of Average Joe's Gymnasium, a haven for those that don't normally fit in with the hip crowd that hangs out at the competing fitness chain GloboGym. Joe's however has fallen on hard times as of late. Peter is behind on his payments to the bank and now they are planning on closing the doors to his gym for good, though it could simply be that GloboGym founder and owner White Goodman (Ben Stiller) has plans to simply turn it into a parking garage for his members.

The only salvation that the guys over at Joe's have is to raise the money needed to pay off the bank before the end of the month, and it seems hopeless. Hopeless until Gordon (Stephen Root) finds one possible way. There is an upcoming dodge ball tournament with the victorious team wining $50,000. So, the rag tag bunch of misfits starts their own team, but once White gets wind of their plan, he starts a team of his own in hopes of foiling Peter's plan.

If crude, rude, and bottom of the barrel humor are your sort of thing, this is certainly just the film for you. I know, I may be making things out to sound as if DodgeBall is a horrible movie, but let me assure you, this is a film that is hilarious, even with two actors being in the cast that I have to admit that I'm not thrilled with. Everyone loves Ben Stiller for some reason, except for me. He just doesn't cut it for me, and while I know that some people will mention time and time again the hilarity of films like There's Something About Mary or Meet the Parents, Stiller doesn't really impress me in either of them (and in fact I think that DeNiro is the funny on in Meet the Parents.) I'm also not impressed with Vince Vaughn, but I have to say that combing these two as foes is perfect. Vaughn, or Peter, is the typical wise cracking, one-liner dropping hero that we all saw in many a teenage comedy from the 1980's while Stiller's character, White, well . . . . . he's different. Feathered hair, tacky clothes, and a mustache that would make Lemmy from Motorhead envious. White, simply put, is a sleaze.

You can't have a DogeBall team with just two members though, and both sides have an interesting collection of members. Playing for Average Joes, aside from Peter and Gordon, you have Steve (Alan Tudyk), a man who believes that he's a pirate and both walks the walk and talks the talk. Justin (Justin Long) the essential high school student who has been bullied but has the woman of his dreams just out of reach and the team is completed, on the male end of things, with Owen (Joel Davis Moore) and Dwight (Chris Williams), two characters that offer a few laughs, but that's about it. Peter also manages to convince Kate (Christine Taylor), who was originally assigned to handle Peter's records for the gym and help White with the acquisition. The problem is, White has another interest in Kate however, and it's more than just dating. Nauseated, as well as fired from her job, Kate jumps on board with the guys from Joe's.

There are plenty of moments of hilarity throughout the film. Seeing people hit with balls, or even wrenches, in various parts of the body is one thing, but there are plenty of other moments as well. Stiller as White can make you laugh simply by being onscreen, but he's also got plenty of ridiculous lines and moments that are nothing short of comedic genius. An appearance by Jason Bateman as a color commentator during the official tournament though ends up being much of the pure golden moments that DodgeBall delivers. Plus, you have to see the rather unique outfits for the members of Average Joes. Hey, they're just trying to follow the regulations for the tournament, and apparently S&M outfits work just fine.

There are some that might consider this to be a film of lowbrow humor. That's basically it, but there's nothing wrong with that. DodgeBall is the type of comedy that will fit in perfectly with a collection that consists of films like Porky's, Revenge of the Nerds, or even Airplane! It's that style of humor. The film isn't meant to be sophisticated, it doesn't have touching moments, and it's setting out to be some clean, wholesome fun. It's gritty, it's dirty, it's just plain crude at times, and that works just fine. I really did think that this was going to be another stupid comedy that gave me a chuckle or two, but that's not the case at all. DodgeBall is a downright riot, and that's what makes it work.

It isn't just some of the content that has been changed with the film, but there have been some new extras added as well. DodgeBall features an all-new commentary track, probably to cover that additional minute. There are two new additional deleted scenes; the original release featured seven whereas the unrated edition of DodgeBall has nine. For the guys, or maybe even some of the ladies, there are three different looks at the DodgeBall Dancers, but don't get your hopes up. There isn't any nudity, sorry. The alternate ending from the first release is included here, which I think is completely hilarious and has White winning the tournament. There are also a wealth of featurettes that deal with the training that the gang underwent for the film (and apparently playing DodgeBall isn't nearly as easy as you might believe it to be), a blooper and gag reel, and for your DVD-ROM owners, there is even a copy of the films script. So, even if you've seen the movie, there are plenty of extra features to make the disc worthwhile.

There are some that might accuse the film of having a debase for of humor, but DodgeBall is one of those comedies that has me laughing at some of the most ridiculous things, and again, people getting hit with balls is just funny for some reason. It's certainly not going to be for everyone, but for that core audience, this is pure gold. And, I really couldn't avoid this, DodgeBall is a movie with balls. Take that however you'd like to.

-mike-