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Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, Alison Pill, Marc-Andre Grondin, Kim Coates ... see more see more... , Eugene Levy , Liev Schreiber , Nicholas Campbell

Not content with his job as a bouncer at a local Beantown bar and a bit of an embarrassment to his accomplished family, Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott) dreams of the kind of success enjoyed by minor ... read more read more...league hockey goon Ross Rhea (Liev Schreiber). When a chance encounter with an on-ice thug leads to a bloody fist fight that Doug easily wins, the coach of the Halifax Highlanders sees potential in this mammoth sized man who is only hampered by his lack of any hockey playing ability and his brother's old figure skates. Standing up to the taunts of the other players, Doug manages to join the team, and with the encouragement of his hockey obsessed best friend (Jay Baruchel) quickly becomes a rising star. Soon he'll have the opportunity to face off against Ross "The Boss" Rhea and perhaps finally land a girlfriend. Now - all he needs is to learn how to skate. -- (C) Magnolia

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91 critics

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Michael Dowse

Release Date: March 30, 2012

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DVD Release Date: May 29, 2012

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Flixster Reviews (846)

  • CloudStrife84
    May 9, 2012
    CloudStrife84
    Gloves off, teeth flying, the crowd going wild! It's the game we all know as ice hockey, in all its brutally entertaining glory! So much more than mere testosterous interplay, however, in the hands of Canadian director Michael Dowse, who knows how to score home some major laughs ... read moreand does so with finesse.

    Sean William Scott, whom to me will always be "The Stiffmeister", plays a bouncer named Doug, who gets recruited to a hockey team, after opening a can of whoop-ass on a player who made the bad call of provoking him into a fight. There's only one little problem: he can't skate worth a damn! What he does have a knack for though is roughing up his opponents (and the occational team mate), which is enough to grant him and his buddies a genuine shot for the playoffs.

    Jay Baruchel, who is also one of film's writers, is pretty fun as well, as a webshow host and friend of Doug's, who coaches him to success with some off-the-wall motivation. Liev Schreiber and Alison Pill add even more to its appeal, as Doug's older and more experienced counterpart, respectively cute love interest.

    Having recently celebrated my home team winning the Swedish national hockey finals, this comedy couldn't have come at a more perfect time. It's crass, it's profane, yet never neglects you as a being of heart and sentience. A powerplay of good fun, that literally doesn't pull any punches and blasts the puck right through the net! But enough hockey analogies for one day. All you really need to know is that it's well worth a go!
  • allan913
    April 26, 2012
    allan913
    An awesome and outragious action-packed comedy. A surprisingly effective and terrific movie that packs alot of punch, drama, humor and some great heart. A wickedly enjoyable sports comedy that works insanely well with its charactes and story. A full-on fun slap shot of pure enter... read moretainment. A bold, bloody, original, hilarious and head-bashing good-time. A fantastic all-star cast. Sean William Scott gives his best and funniest performance yet, creating a wonderfully loveable and effective character. Liev Schreiber is magnificent. Jay Baruchel is terrific. Kim Coates is hysterical, he gives a loud, mean and hilarious performance. Allison Pill is excellent. I loved this movie. A tremendously entertaining movie.
  • ghostdog86
    April 20, 2012
    ghostdog86
    Containing one of the most simplistic storylines in recent movie history, befitting the attention span of hockey fans, "Goon" surprisingly is a film which displays a comedic chemistry that is not only constantly funny and entertaining, but, at the end of the day, is only one step... read more below a film the caliber of "Slap Shot".

    Forgettably directed by Canadian born Michael Dowse (Take Me Home Tonight), but brilliantly adapted by Canadians Jay Baruchel (The Sorcerer's Apprentice) and Evan Goldberg (Superbad), from a novel by Adam Frattasio and Doug Smith, "Goon" stars Seann William Scott (American Pie) and is based on the true story of Doug Glatt. If you don't know who Doug Glatt is, it's OK. You'll probably never hear about him again. Doug is a somewhat timid and dumb bartender, who is uniquely used as an enforcer of sorts. One day, during a hockey game, Doug, accompanied by his friend (played by Baruchel) gets into a fight in the stands, which goes viral. Literally moments later (around 12 minutes into the movie) Doug is recruited to play semi-pro Hockey in Canada, not for any hockey skills he may have, but more for his ability to throw down. And just like that, he becomes a star.

    A half hour into "Goon", it becomes quite evident of how the director's best friend in the first act is the sports montage. If you don't get my analogy, what I mean is that "Goon" is working with the absolute minimal amount of exposition. Also, in almost an attempt to extend the plot, there is semi endearing love story which occurs between Doug and Eva, the exceptionally well written female hockey groupie, which flows pretty well with the story, but is nothing new.

    Sounds like I really didn't care for this movie, right? Well, for a while I didn't, but then "Goon" began to focus less on the dimwitted Doug character and incorporate more and more of his teammates. And with that comes the most comically intriguing and well written aspect of this film; the quirky (and very raunchy) side characters and the interactions they have with each other. These supporting players did more than give "Goon" a necessary comic distraction from the one dimensional Doug, they gave an entirely new life to a film which was gearing up to be as forgettable as "She's out of My League". At times, scenes within "Goon" play out like "Major League", aka a superbly written buddy team comedy, with very unusually outlandish personalities, which will undoubtedly keep audiences invested in the characters, even if they are not interested at all in the subject matter.

    Furthermore, critics may be giving Scott way too much credit here. Although he does play the sympathetic dullard (the Rocky archetype) fairly well, the character itself grows tiresome fast. In all actuality, it is a mixture of a very funny supporting cast and some fantastic writing from Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg that keeps the hum drum plotline quite entertaining.

    Final Thought: All jokes aside, if you don't know me personally, and couldn't tell by now, I am not a hockey fan AT ALL. So, the fact that I, above all others, am recommending "Goon" means that this is one movie that truly transcends sports all together. Yes, there are a few inside jokes, which one either has to be a huge hockey fan or from Canada to understand, but overall, "Goon" is a film that, even if one doesn't like sports (or likes real sports, such as football or basketball) many will find themselves being pleasantly surprised.

    Written by Markus Robinson, Edited by Nicole I. Ashland

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  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    April 14, 2012
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Look at you, you're a - you're a fucking beast. You're like the fucking Hebrew Dolph Lundgren or some shit."

    Labeled an outcast by his brainy family, a bouncer overcomes long odds to lead a team of under performing misfits to semi-pro hockey glory, beating the crap out o... read moref everything that stands in his way.

    REVIEW

    Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott) is a loser. His father and brother are doctors, yet he is stuck as a bouncer in a seedy Orangetown bar. A rather heinous act of self-defense at a local hockey game gets him noticed and brought in to play in the minors as a goon, someone who fights with others and protects his smaller teammates. He does so incredibly well that he is quickly drafted to a semi-professional team in Canada, where his main goal is to protect star player Xavier LaFlamme (Marc-Andre Grondin), who has not played the same since a brutal hit from the legendary Ross 'The Boss' Rhea (Live Schreiber). The film is inevitably sweet and pretty heartfelt, despite its simple nature. There is a love story, which the film could do without, but the film refuses to become gooey or heavy-handed and simply looks at it as a secondary plot-point rather than an obligation in storytelling. The direction by Michael Dowse, of Take Me Home Tonight fame, is well done and there's a very nice coherency during the fight scenes.

    As far as the fight scenes go, I was expecting them to be rushed, cartoony, and a bit too comical, but they're not. They're actually gritty, realistic, and a little dark. They show a bit of wear after fight number four or five, but the direction, setup, and pacing that comes before these fights does the best it can to avoid redundancy. It actually works quite favorably. Written by Baruchel and Superbad's Evan Goldberg, Goon is a comedy about a likable character who does unlikable things because he is good at them. There's nothing totally wrong with that. It's not like in Super, where a man runs around in tights bashing peoples' heads in with a wrench because they cut in line at a movie theater. Doug Glatt isn't a monster - he's a character. One who becomes developed more than the simple plot would lead us to believe. This is a fun comedy. Not urgent, exciting, or a laugh riot, but a fun, character-driven comedy with heart. We need more of those today.
  • MovieGeek13
    March 20, 2012
    MovieGeek13
    Goon is the kind of oddball, potty mouthed yet heartfelt comedy that the Judd Apatow gang lovingly churns out at least once a year. Except Goon is undoubtedly a Canadian product - despite being co-written by Superbad's Evan Goldberg - and it portrays a romantic view on hockey fig... read morehting, one that indirectly perceives the game as something of a poor man's UFC. Real hockey aficionados might criticize that the hockey portrayed in this movie isn't real hockey, and no one would disagree. But that's the charm of the movie. Writer/producer Jay Baruchel definitely exaggerates the most appealing aspect of the game; I mean, let's face it, a person who watches hockey with hoping a fight doesn't break out is about as realistic as a person who watches Nascar hoping nobody crashes. And yet, though this exaggeration, the script and the film reveal what is so great about this game in the first place. Hockey is a tough as nails game, fast paced, dangerous, and played by people who have nothing but a love for it.
    At the front and centre of the story is Sean William Scott who plays Doug Glatt, a mentally slow bouncer who has one hell of an ability to brawl. Put it this way; if Doug hits you, you'll be lucky if all you get is unconscious. His buddy, Pat (Baruchel) runs a foul mouthed radio show. One day on Pat's radio show, Doug gets a call from a scout to play hockey. Despite the fact that he can't skate or handle the puck, Doug gains fame because of his ability to beat the crap out the other team's enforcers, hereby protecting his teammates and making them feel safer when trying to score. Doug is scouted to play for the semi-pro Halifax team.
    From there, the usual sports movie cliches abound, but what elevates this film is how likable all the characters are. From the tough as nails coach to the team's Quebecois captain, you want to cheer for every one of these players that glory comes their way. For all the brute force, aggression, and instability these guys possess, they're just a bunch of big, sensitive softies with hearts of gold.
    That's where the charm of Goon really shines through. It's full of coarse language and crude jokes that will have you on the floor laughing. But like the Paul Newman classic Slap Shot - a huge influence on this film - Goon will have you cheering to the very end.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    March 16, 2012
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Meet Doug, The Nicest Guy You'll Ever Fight.

    Good movie and not bad at all. The movie is really fun and exciting, you can't help but to cheer for the underdogs. There's not many hockey movies out there or worth the while except a few so give this one a slapshot and maybe you'll ... read morelike it and have a few laughs to go along with it.

    Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott) from Massachusetts, feels ostracized from his family, his father (Eugene Levy) and brother both being doctors. One day he attends a minor league hockey game with his friend Pat (Jay Baruchel). Pat taunts the visiting team during a fight and one of their players climbs into the stands. Doug, in defense of his friend, quickly knocks him out, which prompts the rest of the crowd to cheer him on. Soon after, Doug gets a phone call from the coach of his hometown team who offers him a job as an enforcer, a player whose role is to protect his teammates and act as a deterrent by hitting or fighting opposing players who take liberties with his teammates.

    In the meantime, veteran enforcer and Doug's idol Ross "The Boss" Rhea (Liev Schreiber) is demoted to the minors after serving a 20 game suspension for slashing an opponent in the head from behind. Three years prior, Rhea hit and concussed the highly skilled prospect Xavier Laflamme (Marc-Andre Grondin) who has had trouble recovering from that incident due to the fear of being hit, being stuck in the minors and falling in with the wrong crowd. After earning himself the nickname "The Thug", Doug is called up to Canada and hired by Laflamme's team, the Halifax Highlanders, to protect Laflamme and be his roommate.

    The Highlanders experience success with Doug as their primary enforcer, and he quickly gains popularity among fans and teammates much to the chagrin of his parents and Laflamme, particularly after losing ice time and the alternate-captaincy to Doug. Doug becomes romantically involved with Eva (Alison Pill), a hockey fan with a penchant for players.

    With 4 games left on their schedule, the Highlanders need two wins to secure a playoff spot. On a road game in Quebec, after an opposing player concusses Laflamme with a heavy hit, Doug savagely beats the player unconscious and is suspended for the next game against Rhea and the St. John's Shamrocks. Doug encounters Rhea at a diner, where Rhea dismisses Doug's claim that he is a hockey player, calling him a goon. Rhea warns him that if they ever meet on the ice, he will "lay him the fuck out." The Highlanders, with Doug suspended and Laflamme hospitalized, lose to the Shamrocks.

    Doug reaches out to Laflamme, and promises him he will always have his back on the ice. In their next game, the Highlanders lead 1-0 thanks to renewed teamwork between Doug and Laflamme. In the dying seconds, Doug blocks a slapshot with his face and his ankle is broken in the ensuing scramble. The Highlanders win, but need a win against Rhea and the Shamrocks in their last game for a playoff spot.

    After two periods, the Shamrocks are beating the Highlanders 2-0. Rhea and Doug drop the gloves in the third period, and dole out and receive physical punishment during the fight. Doug is knocked down first, but Rhea calls off the referees and allows him to get back up. Doug manages to break Rhea's nose, but breaks his previously injured ankle in the process. Doug manages to stand back up and knocks out Rhea with a vicious cross. Eva and his teammates help a seriously injured Doug off the ice and Laflamme, inspired by Doug's efforts and Rhea's demise, scores a hat-trick to lead the Highlanders to a 3-2 victory and a play-off berth. While being comforted by Eva in the locker room, Doug victoriously comments, "I think I nailed him."
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    March 15, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Goon is one of the most memorable sports comedies in recent memory. I thought this was a flawless comedy that delivered some of the most gut busting lines since The Hangover and Superbad. Sean William Scott has made a career out of comedy, and he really is a funny guy. In Goon, h... read moree delivers his greatest and funniest film performance. This film has a good cast of good actors who really deliver in their performances. Three performances that stood out for me was Sean William Scott, Jay Baruchel and Liev Schreiber. Goon is terrific sports comedy that is definitely a breath of fresh air. I thought this film had all the necessary ingredients for a really good comedy flick, and after last year's disappointing run of comedies (Jack & Jill, The Hangover 2) this film definitely is worth watching if you want a very good comedy where you're looking for mindless fun, then this is your film. This film is the perfect film to watch with a gang of friends. Yes, the film is very crude, vulgar and obscene; but it's what makes it so enjoyable. Michael Dowse director of Fubar 1,2 directs this film, and he has a good eye for what makes a funny comedy. Although vulgarity is used to elevate the films comedy, it doesn't tend to overdo it. The film has plenty of funny scenes which will make you laugh hard, triceps, biceps, arceps hard (if you see the film, you'll get the joke). Goon is a great comedy that really brings back excitement in a sports comedy. This film is our generations Slap Shot, and if you're wondering why I gave this flick a perfect score, it's because it made me laugh from start to finish. Best sports comedy to come around in a long time.
  • phubbs1
    March 13, 2012
    phubbs1
    I was quite surprised to find out this was based on a true story and the events that take place in the film are based on reality...including the fights!
    Now I admit I have no clue about ice hockey being British but I must ask, is fighting actually part of the sport!? I realise t... read morehings can get heated like in any sport but are the fights actually allowed in ice hockey? they have players who just come on for fights!!?

    It all seems rather bizarre to me but this is the basis of the story, a guy who is hired simply to fight during the games, I thought the film was a kind of silly spoof type comedy, especially with Scott in the lead, so the fact its actually a reasonable bio flick is quite amazing.

    I do enjoy most sport films and this was fair, nothing special and nothing overly emotional, Schreiber was probably the best performance and actually came across pretty strong and grizzled. Not bad but hardly stunning, take it or leave it.
  • fb733768972
    March 2, 2012
    fb733768972
    Hilarious, bloody, sexual, and downright rude, "Goon" is the type of sports film that you will remember for a very long time. It may have a very simple premise, the humour may be dry, and the fight scenes may be laughably over-the-top, but that is what makes "Goon" so awesome! As... read more a bouncer at a bar is hired in professional hockey to do one thing only, fight, he begins to discover that his only way to prove his talent is to beat the worldwide champion in a fight. The film is very light hearted and sweet on the inside, but it is brutally hilarious on the outside. Sean William Scott is funny as hell and I can easily recommend this to hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike. This film is made for anyone willing to have a good laugh. It may not be perfect, and you can see Canadian filmmakers lurking through every frame, but damn is this film entertaining. "Goon" is great!
  • fb100001592288964
    February 25, 2012
    fb100001592288964
    An often funny sports comedy that thrives off of Seann William Scott's surprisingly stellar performance as a dimwitted, but loveable "goon" for a Canadian hockey team, "Goon" isn't poised to be one of the most noteworthy comedies of the year, but as a Friday night rental with fri... read moreends, it works to great effect.

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Critic Reviews

Michael O'Sullivan
April 20, 2012
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

[Scott] is reason enough to see the film, which otherwise is a by-the-book sports comedy. Full Review

Tom Russo
April 12, 2012
Tom Russo, Boston Globe

The movie's unlikely sincerity can't completely offset its ugliness for less bloodthirsty viewers, but it helps, and it does smooth over some narrative rough edges. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
April 5, 2012
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The movie is harsh, nasty and vulgar like you wouldn't believe. And often, it's hilarious. Full Review

William Goss
March 30, 2012
William Goss, Film.com

It's an underdog story that doesn't take itself too seriously, tender as a bruise and about as blue. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
March 30, 2012
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

All it wants is slapstick violence and "Slap Shot" profanity. And it delivers both - albeit not much else. Full Review

Tom Long
March 30, 2012
Tom Long, Detroit News

What's somewhat surprising is you don't have to give a hoot about hockey to enjoy the movie. This is just a guy living his dream: Hitting people. Full Review

Kyle Smith
March 30, 2012
Kyle Smith, New York Post

"Goon" easily takes the title of second-best hockey comedy I've ever seen. Full Review

Robert Abele
March 29, 2012
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times

Scott isn't bad: He sells the comedy of his character's ingrained politeness as much as the aggression. But "Goon" feels like a movie starring a gimmick, not a person. Full Review

Colin Covert
March 29, 2012
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

The fact that a movie as harsh and despicable as "Goon" can be promoted as a comedy says terrible things about the state of the American film industry. Full Review

Stephen Holden
March 29, 2012
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Behind the film's brass knuckles are tender fingers. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Doug Glatt: That's because it's a juke-box Jerry.
    • Ronnie Hortense: Glatt, you're riding pisshole.
    • Doug Glatt: There's only 2 rules: don't touch my percocets and do you have any percolates.
    • Doug Glatt: Only beer and soup for me thanks.
    • Xavier LaFlamme: You're a crazy mother fucker. Tabernac BAM! You fucking beat him.
    • Doug Glatt: Really?
    • Xavier LaFlamme: Yea.
    • Doug Glatt: Thank you!
    • Doug Glatt: It's not the first time the wind blew garbage in my face.
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  • In "A man apart" what does Sean Vetter use to kill the drug peddling goon that talks badly about his deceased wife?  Answer »
  • In the movie Youngblood, what was the name of the goon who Dean Youngblood (Rob Lowe) fights in the movie?   Answer »
  • Superbad 2007 Two goon cops eager to recapture their youth explain   Answer »
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