“Slap Shot” was panned by critics during it’s initial release, though the critical reception has become more positive since then. (Image provided by Universal Pictures)

Owen Johnson
Connector Staff

‘Slap Shot’ is a surprisingly tough movie to review, as there is plenty to say about it, but there is surprisingly little to say about most of those points.

With his team about to fold and desperate to save it, coach and player Reg Dunlap (Paul Newman) starts all-out brawls on the ice, which garners people’s attention to the team and helps them win several games. As this is happening, he is also trying to figure out who the team’s secret owner is, hoping that they will sell the team.
The premise of the movie is a bit amusing to say the least. It is kind of a funny idea to have a hockey team devolve into a stereotypical recreation of the sport, but the premise is funnier than the execution. Aside from the final brawl in the movie which succeeds from a really good edit, watching a bunch of hockey players viciously attack one another just gets repetitive and is not amusing in execution.

The movie is attempting to be a comedic drama, but other than the ending and the premise, there really is not anything else funny to the movie. There are a trio of brothers that are brought in for comedic relief, but they are more insufferable than they are funny.

On top of that, Dunlap’s thought process, actions and motivations seem all over the place and nonsensical. He is chasing after his ex-wife, but he continuously shows interest in other women, including the ex-wife of a rival team’s goalie and one of his team members’ wife. Granted, in the latter case, the movie says he is only trying to get that specific team member mad so that he will join into the brawls, but it never feels that way.

Then, from the goalie’s ex-wife, Dunlap gets information which he uses to taunt the goalie to distract him, which leads to a fight. From that, Dunlap somehow comes to the conclusion that if the team keeps fist fighting with the other teams, they will win. Then, when he finally meets the team owner and confronts them, he is shocked to learn the owner would rather have the team fold then sell the team for a small profit. Due to this revelation, Dunlap berates the owner despite the fact his actions have been more manipulative, unethical, and illegal than the owner’s.

“Slap Shot” is a weak comedy that is propelled forward by weak character motivation.

Final Grade: C-