DVD Review: The Benchwarmers

DVD Reviews

By Patrick Luce Jul 25, 2006, 14:59 GMT

Although you don’t expect much from the plot, The Benchwarmers is a movie that should at least deliver a lot of laughs thanks to its cast. Sadly, it barely manages to even bring a chuckle.

The film was directed by Dennis Dugan – who brought us the comedy masterpieces Saving Silverman, Big Daddy, and Happy Gilmore – and was executive produced by Adam Sandler. It has a big cast of funny men including Rob Schneider, David Spade, Jon Heder, Jon Lovitz, Craig Kilborn, and Tim MeadowsThe film’s plot (yes there is one) follows three friends (Schneider, Spade, Heder) who grew up being bullied (although one of them has a secret). After watching some neighborhood kids picking on a boy, they decide they are not going to take it anymore, and challenge the kids to a game of baseball. The three man squad consists of two losers (Spade and Heder) - who seem more retarded than nerdy - and Schneider – who is somehow the tough guy of the movie.Before they know it, one game turns into a tournament between the three man squad and all the local youth baseball teams (who just all happen to be coached by former bullies who tormented Heder and Spade growing up). The winner of the tournament will get full access to a new baseball field that is being built by former nerd Lovitz. As the tournament continues, the kids that have always been picked on begin to get behind the three man squad, and find their voice as the team takes down one bully team at a time. The whole tournament comes down to the final game between The Benchwarmers and the biggest of all the bully teams. Just as they are about to play, the team learns the truth about Schneider’s past. Of course, this is a feel good comedy so I am sure you can figure out how it all works out at the end.

The cast in the film should be able to deliver the laughs

The Benchwarmers does manage to bring laughs, but it is all aimed at a young audience – which translates to a lot of it is “potty humor.” Spade and Heder are both wasted in the film and come across as versions of Rain Man rather than nerdy.Instead of letting Spade use his trademark wit and sarcasm he is reduced to a goofy wig and acting like a leftover from Dumb and Dumber. The same can be said for Heder who is forced to spend most of the movie picking his nose, eating boogers, and acting like he was dropped on his head several times as a child. He does have a couple of funny lines, but we have seen him funnier.

Rob Schneider also suffers in the film because he is forced to be the straight man for most of the movie. He isn’t allowed to be the goofball that made him famous. At the same time, he isn’t awful in the movie, but you can’t help feeling like he got the part because Sandler didn’t want to play it.Other talents in the film, such as Jon Lovitz and Tim Meadows, help bring some additional laughs to the movie, but they don’t have big enough parts to save it from its many problems. With all that said, the movie does manage to have a good message and will probably keep kids laughing – since most of the jokes are aimed at the junior high school audience. At times it feels like an after school special on the harms of being bully, but has enough gross out jokes to keep kids laughing from start to finish. It is clear the filmmakers were not aiming for an adult audience with this film, and if you can turn your brain off The Benchwarmers does manage to make you laugh. For me, there were just not enough laughs for the amount of talented cast in the film.The DVD comes loaded with special features including deleted scenes, commentary with Dugan, Spade and Heder, “Mr. October” Behind the scenes with Reggie Jackson (who does an appearance in the film), Nerds Vs. Bullies: Whose Side Are You On?, Play Ball: Cast and Crew Discuss America’s Pastime, and Who’s On Deck? Howie’s Greatest Moments.

Spade and Heder are wasted in the film

While The Benchwarmers fell a little flat on me, it does manage to have enough of the kind humor that will appeal to kids with a good message squeezed into its plot. I wouldn’t recommend the film to anyone wanting something above potty humor. If you are in the mood to turn your brain off and laugh, The Benchwarmers is the film for you. Kids will love the movie, but some parents might find the laughs run out really early in the film.The Benchwarmers is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.