Synopsis
A pair of sewage-truck drivers attempt to rescue the tarnished reputation of their favorite pro wrestler in this comedy from Varsity Blues director Brian Robbins. Gordie Boggs (David Arquette) and Sean Dawkins (Scott Caan) live vicariously through superstar grappler Jimmy King (Oliver Platt). But when King's manager (Joe Pantoliano), in a fit of ego, arranges to have his client dethroned to make way for the next hot property, the guys hatch a plan to force a rematch. The only problem is, their no-good hero has sunk into a black hole of self-pity and liquor. Enlisting the help of old-time trainer Sal (Martin Landau) to whip "The King" into shape, Gordie and Sean run afoul of Gordie's father, who wants his son to settle down and become a cop like him. Meanwhile, curvaceous Sasha (Rose McGowan) moves in on Gordie, but has ulterior motives. So does The King's son (Tait Smith), who's willing to put his girth to good use in order to exact revenge on his dad for abandoning him. Ready to Rumble features a large cast of real-life WCW wrestlers portraying themselves. McGowan and Arquette previously appeared together in Wes Craven's Scream. Lewis Arquette, the star's father, also appears alongside his son as he did in Scream 2.
What Critics Say
The "Wayne's World" of Wrestling comes to the silver screen.
Story
Gordie (David Arquette) and Sean (Scott Caan) witness the most traumatic
event of their young lives -- the title-fight defeat of star wrestler
Jimmy King (Oliver Platt) at the hands of Diamond Dallas Page (Page Falkinburg) and his cronies. Arquette and Caan idolize King. His defeat inspires the two small-town sewage engineers to embark on a mission to help The King regain his lost wrestling crown. Clearly, there's not much complexity to the "Ready to Rumble" script. Big men beating on one another as well as Arquette's and Caan's occasional gross exploits keep the audience interested, but viewers won't be wringing their hands wondering if Jimmy King will come back on top.
Acting
Quelle surprise: Arquette and Caan are extremely convincing as juvenile, immature and perverse young men. While Platt has a few funny moments, his comedic performance pales in comparison and his wrestling persona is weak next to real-life wrestlers "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Bill Goldberg. The real ringmaster is Martin Landau, who gives a hilarious performance as the not-dead-yet wrestling coach.
Direction
It's a wrestling movie. The direction is good enough.
Bottom Line
If you like big men in tights, you'll like this movie.
Spill.com puts a whole new spin on the "classic" movie review; turning dorky and dry into hilarious and hip. Spill's reviews are high-quality animated videos featuring a regular cast of comic personalities.