While the WWE’s newest straight to DVD release, “Knucklehead†is far from the type of comedy that most audiences will go crazy for, it’s proof that the company is trying to do more than simply throw their superstars into feature films.
With a supporting cast of television and big screen veterans such as Wendie Malick, Will Patton, Dennis Farina and Rebecca Creskoff, this film certainly has enough talent on the screen. Co-stars Melora Hardin and Mark Feuerstein have floated around the big screen and television for over 20 years and do a solid job in this film as well.
And no, the wrestler in the film doesn’t spoil the fun either. If anything, his presence helps more than anything or anyone else.
In the end, it’s the weak writing, which relies often on theatrical stereotypes than providing the audience with anything original that does the film in. Hardin is the cute and concerned orphanage worker with a shady past, while Feuerstein is the former fighter with a past of his own to hide. Bringing them together is Walter, played by the lovable Paul Wight, aka The Big Show, who must, for the first time in his life, be the tough guy and hero he was always supposed to be.
Now how many times has this story been told before? Like “Rain Man†without the OCDed card-counter, “Every Which Way But Loose†without the orangutan and “Karate Kid†without Mr. Miyagi, “Knucklehead†brings nothing new to the table.
That’s the ultimate reason why “Knucklehead†seems like your average B comedy.
In spite of a good cast and Wight’s own surprising ability on the screen, the plot and development of this film is paper-thin. We know all of these characters have something to hide, but nothing is ever fully developed. The same thing goes for the wild cast of characters the trio meets on their way to the tournament Walter needs to fight in to save his orphanage and Feuerstein’s character’s life. Had it slowed down and explain itself and give you an opportunity to fall for its characters, this film could have been a sleeper hit.
And that’s only the plot. The same thing happens with the majority of the comedy, which is either too campy or corny to be fully appreciated. Wight does a good job throughout the film, but director Michael W. Watkins does little to bring out the type of comedy a clumsy man that is nearly seven and a half feet tall should be able to. For example, the scene where Wight has to take a crap in the tiny bathroom on the bus was cute and even a bit saddening, but it should have been hilarious.
Throughout the film, it’s almost as if every moment that can be the one to take the film past the mediocre ends up missing the mark somehow. As a result, you have a film that never establishes any type of comedic rhythm or environment that can foster laughter.
While it won’t go down as a true stinker and should serve as a good taste of what Wight can do on the big screen, “Knucklehead†suffers from far too many ailments to be taken seriously and is served best as a rental with a few friends who could care less about plot development and cinematic precision.
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