Bending the Rules

If you're looking for something other than a light junk food movie, you probably shouldn't be watching this one.

Im almost tired of critics who critique based on what they think the movie should be, as opposed to what it is. There's nothing in this movie that shouldn't have played out exactly the way it did.

I've heard lots of arguments about how it wasn't quite a drama, but it wasn't quite a comedy. Its not so hard to imagine that when a movie tries to play both parts equally, we end up with a watered down version of each genre. Typically you either have a drama with a few comic scenes, or a comedy with a few dramatic scenes. This film splits it right in half, whether it upsets the viewer or not.

That said, i think that this was well executed. A buddy movie about two characters doing what they do best, despite the scorn of family, associates and management. What is received is an odd couple match up, with their own problems that make them human, as well as a understanding of the idea that they have their hearts in similar places, albeit different circumstances.

If you want cream of the crop, find another flick. Otherwise watch this and enjoy it for whatever it can do. Movies are made for a reason, not always the one a viewer wants. This movie probably hardly makes my top 500. But watching it from an unbiased viewpoint, i enjoyed it, twice, for what it was trying to portray.

I am a grandma who thought I could endure this film for the sake of my grandson but actually ended up enjoying the flick myself. I have seen several "comedy" movies lately at the theater that just did not seem very entertaining, let alone funny, and a waste of the ticket price.

My grandson bought this movie and even though I was not particularly looking forward to watching the film with him, I did and found it to be quite entertaining--and YES--FUNNY!

Today's filmography tends to deal with lots of heavy apocalyptic issues and dark subjects leaving fun movies (those that are acceptable as family entertainment) hard to come by.

I realize this film will not go down in the annals of time as a "classic film " which I am sure was not the intent of the filmmakers to begin with but what is wrong with a little relatively clean fun that makes you laugh for a while? As far as entertainment value--this film scores much higher in my book than many of the more publicized comedy flicks. In our opinion, the film was entertaining and we felt it to be money well spent for the entertainment value.

There was great chemistry between Adam (The Edge) Copeland and Jamie Kennedy. I am not a wrestling fan myself but thought Mr. Copeland was quite charming upon watching the special features included on the DVD. And who doesn't appreciate the veteran comedic acting abilities of Jessica Walters (we still miss the "Arrested Development" TV series).

In summary, if you just need some laughs without all the cursing and sexual innuendo--give this movie a shot--you may be pleasantly surprised--I was.

I'm a huge Jamie Kennedy fan and an even bigger Edge fan. When I saw these two were in movie I instantly got excited. However by time credits rolled on this movie I was left dissapointed.

The first issue I had was lack of chemistry between the two. Edge has more of sarcastic sense of humor as where Jamie Kennedy has goofball sense of humor. Therefore it crashed alot and you were left with extreme amount of flat or awkard jokes throughout.

Two I felt the action scenes were majorly lacking. I understand its buddy cop type of movie and action isn't the message theyre mainly trying to send. However even Bad Boys type of movies have decent action so that shouldn't be an excuse.

Lastly I just felt like the pacing was bad. The movie felt 30 minutes longer then it really was. It just su extremely boring at times I contemplated fast forwarding.

However I did enjoy the acting which I saw as major plus. The visuals were off the charts and thought were really well done for B-movie. But would I recommend it? Most likely not.

The trailer made the movie seem funnier. But like most trailers they picked out the best scenes. So what is left. Well,the main characters make a nice duo. Not really that much interesting interaction between them though.But it wasn't bad. Jamie Kennedy was out of his game somehow. He played a far too serious character and it did not work for him. They put him in all kinds of situations.And you would expect a character to freak out or something. But his reaction to those events was so under played that it did made you think why he was in the movie in the first place.Nice is good but a buddy movie,yes, that is what it supposed to be, requires great chemistry and fireworks.Or at least something that would put both characters on edge (no pun intended). Not being familiar with wrestling I don't really know the people involved. But I thought that the main character who played Nick Blades was very decent and extremely charming. And his charm and laid back character is extremely effective in otherwise a barely eventful movie. Decent enough for a rainy Sunday.

Bending the Rules certainly isn't going to win any awards and it probably won't win over the critics, but it's an enjoyable film that simply doesn't make the most of its potential.

Adam "Edge" Copeland was impressive in his first film. Though I'm not familiar with his in-ring persona at all, I thought he was very comfortable in his role and could easily have handled more. Perhaps a more serious movie will be in his future. Jamie Kennedy was fine though not memorable, while Jennifer Esposito and Alicia Witt were essentially wasted in small roles. Pruitt Taylor Vince and Philip Baker Hall were excellent in their limited screen time and Jessica Walter did not disappoint, though her character was a bit campier than I was hoping for. Her fans should especially enjoy the scene where no fewer than nine pictures of Walter herself adorn the background. Hall and Walter were perfectly cast and it seems like a film based around the Gold family could be quite a treat - either as a comedy or a family drama.

The biggest problem is that while there are some great funny moments, Bending the Rules is not really funny enough to be a comedy - yet it's too absurd at times for a drama and I was torn between wanting more laughs and wishing it was a serious film. The assembled cast is certainly capable of either and deserved better. I'm giving the film an 8 out of 10 not because it's a stellar film but simply because it's a fun film that doesn't drag and it exceeded my expectations. Some of the film's weakest moments are in the trailer and if the first-day turnout in Memphis is any indication, too many people have written it off based on that alone. That's unfortunate, because the film deserves a better fate. Those shut out by the limited release only have to wait a few weeks for the DVD, which I hope will fare better than the theatrical release.