Ferrell Flub

On the film front, Will Ferrell's latest was a grand disappointment.

KICKING AND SCREAMING is not only the title of the film, but also reveals the delicacy, or lack thereof, of the entire film. The only comprehension for why this film got made was a chance to place Ferrell in a situation, with kids, where he could go completely bonkers. Don't let this film fool you, it's not about two father and son relationships, it's not about the growth of a boy to a man and a man to a boy and back to a man, but rather a silly and often annoying excuse for Ferrell to lay on his shtick (and heavy).

Ferrell is a very talented comedian, and just like his previous SNL predecessors Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin, he can make you laugh just by showing up. In KICKING AND SCREAMING, Ferrell turns a mild-mannered every dad into a raving maniac. In some regards, KICKING AND SCREAMING might have worked had director Jesse Dylan refused to let sentimentality rain on Ferrell's far-fetched father. Too many "dramatic" scenes clutter up KICKING AND SCREAMING, and with Ferrell's Phil we never really buy these "serious" moments.

There are a few funny moments including a sub-plot about Phil's caffeine addiction and the Tigers' bloody entrance following a butchering session.

Outside of these inspired instances, KICKING AND SCREAMING just doesn't work. It desperately wants to be soccer's version of THE BAD NEWS BEARS, but it's just bad news.