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Danny McBride, Mary Jane Bostic, Ben Best, Spencer Moreno, Carlos Lopez IV ... see more see more... , Jody Hill , Ken Aguilar , Collette Wolfe , Sean Baxter , Jeff Hoffman , Deborah Loates , Danielle Jarchow , Juan-Carlos Guzman , Nicholas Stanley , Jonathan Ewart

A new hero of martial arts rises from a North Carolina strip mall in this independent comedy. Fred Simmons is one of the world's most gifted practitioners of the Korean fighting style known as Taekwon... read more read more...do -- or at least that's what he likes to tell people. Despite his supposed skills, Fred teaches students out of a shabby dojo, where for the most part, he browbeats kids into learning the aggressive points of the martial arts without having much understanding of the philosophy or reasoning behind it. Not that most folks care -- in the small town where he teaches, Fred is considered to be the real deal, and his talent as a fighter earns him plenty of respect. But Fred's reputation (and ego) takes a serious blow when he learns his wife, Suzie (Mary Jane Bostic), has been fooling around with another man, and Fred challenges him to a fight that doesn't go well. Falling into an emotional tailspin, Fred goes on a pilgrimage to meet his hero and role model, martial arts celebrity Chuck "The Truck" Wallace (Ben Best). The Foot Fist Way was the first feature film from writer and director Jody Hill. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

46% liked it

4,194 ratings

Critics

52% liked it

84 critics

R, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Jody Hill

Release Date: June 24, 2006

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DVD Release Date: September 23, 2008

Stats: 1,032 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,032)

  • SirPant
    June 10, 2011
    SirPant
    I'd heard nothing but good things about this film but after watching it I'm not sure why. It reminded me of the original Office but done badly and in a martial art school. That's basically what it is, I'm not a huge fan of the original Office (although I quite like the American v... read moreersion) and this wasn't even as good as that. I can't believe Danny McBride is almost the same age as me either but that's beside the point. He has been much funnier than this, although well done to him for playing it straight for the entire duration and well done to the film makers for making it for under $20,000. It's just a shame it wasn't very funny.
  • adammahler1
    November 27, 2010
    adammahler1
    The filmmaking brings out a lot of nuances, about our fantasies about personal victory and the fantasizing in American fight movies. Some of the humor might not be as upfront as in most of the higher-budget vehicles.

    Collette Wolfe's disappearance from the story is beguiling. Sh... read moree's attractive and sympathetic and open-minded, and you realize that one thing movies tend to do for an audience is to keep charming people like this around to light the place up, when in real life the hijinks would feel as homey as your best friend's 10-day manic episode.
  • RCCLBC
    July 9, 2010
    RCCLBC
    An ammusing film in a pathetic/painful sort of way.
    And impressive when you take into consideration that it was made for about $79,000 dollars.
    Though it's never quite as funny or clever as it THINKS it is.
  • Chiefilms
    April 13, 2010
    Chiefilms
    Low budget comedy with a good intro performance by McBride, extremely one-dimensional but original delivery. Lot of filler and obviously a lot of first time actors, but it wasn't bad for a movie with a $79,000 budget.
  • lewiskendell
    March 3, 2010
    lewiskendell
    I'm a big fan of Danny McBride. I could just sit and watch him making stuff up and being ridiculous, which is good...because that's basically what The Foot Fist Way is about.

    The film low-budget and shot like a mockumentary, which makes the whole thing seem more real and even m... read moreore absurd. Yeah, there's a basic plot in here, but the movie's really about watching Danny say ridiculous things and wear ridiculous clothes. If you like Eastbound & Down, or Danny's roles in movies like Tropic Thunder, The Foot Fist way may be worth your time. Just don't expect a whole lot from it.
  • kenstachnik
    September 7, 2009
    kenstachnik
    Not quite as funny as I was led to believe, but definitely worth seeing.
  • kiriyamakazou
    August 8, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    Jody Hill offers up this independent comedy that follows a man trying to run a Tae Kwon Do school while dealing with his cheating wife. McBride often comes off as the American Ricky Gervais (as David Brent), creating awkward moments and relying on his arrogance and ignorance in e... read morequal measure. There are some funny moments, mainly involving people getting hit, but the film fails to keep the laughs going or offer an interesting story between these chuckles. McBride should stick to being the show stealing sidekick as his general mannerisms just don't translate to big star power.
  • MovieGeek13
    May 27, 2009
    MovieGeek13
    Like Napoleon Dynamite, this is another MTV produced indie comedy that just falls flat. The film is all one joke and the joke is only mildly funny the first time you here it.
    Danny McBride plays a karate instructor who takes out the failings of his private life out on his studen... read morets. He's dry and blunt. Sometimes, you want to sympathize with him, because he cares for his wife, who is constantly cheasting on him. But other times, you feel like he deserves it, especially after he sexually harrasses one of his students and allows a kid to snort cocaine. I don't get the appeal of a movie like this.
    The extra star is because I like Danny McBride. As much as I hated his character, I liked him.
  • DrZeek
    January 30, 2009
    DrZeek
    Fred Simmons: Derek, have you got your cup on? Because I will hit you there.

    This is certainly the type of comedy that will split audiences down the middle. I really hated Napoleon Dynamite, but this movie, which is basically a much vulgar version, made me laugh and appreciate ... read morethe art of punching through wooden boards and concrete.

    Danny McBride, who has been slowly building up an assortment of characters in the various big comedy films in the past couple years, stars as Fred Simmons, a head instructor at a small Tae Kwon Do Studio (some trivia - The title is a literal English translation of Tae Kwon Do).

    There is no real plot as much as a series of situations revolving around the ways of Fred Simmons, whether it involves his adulterous wife, his teachings, or his attempts to land a big Tae Kwon Do celebrity at one of his classes.

    Fred Simmons: Meditation is terrific and all, but I've never heard of it saving anyone from a gang rape type situation.

    The humor stems mainly from Fred's attitude towards Tae Kwon Do and the way he lives his life around it. He gets frustrated like a man would, but applies that to his spirit in the foot fist way.

    The movie also features a number of quirky elements, including some of Fred's supporting players, the structure of the film, and the soundtrack.

    What further helps this movie is how well made it is. This is no doubt very low budget stuff, but its done well. The camera incorporates some clever editing and slo-mo stuff to actually make the Tae Kwon Do seem exciting in its own way.

    The key ingredient is once again McBride. If you look past some of the more ridiculous elements, you can really see some good acting here. He is fully in this role, not putting any winks at the camera and it certainly helps the movie. It is also important to note that he is not simply a bumbling guy attempting to do Tae Kwon Do, but is portrayed in the film as a legitimate fighter who just also has a quirky personality.

    Certainly a film that works for the right audience.

    Fred Simmons: Let me think about that for a second. Ok, I've thought about it and I think my answer to that question would have to be "fuck you". I don't care if you wake up in a ditch with grown men shitting on you and jumping on top of your head. Maybe your nose will turn into a big ole dick and you can stroke that all the time. I hope your hair turns into dog shit one day. You wake up and you run your comb through it and all that it is, is little trundles of dog shit. The worst shit that you could imagine. AIDS... it's cool. Everything comes around sweetheart.
  • Godless
    October 18, 2008
    Godless
    Entertaining and funny.

View All The Foot Fist Way Reviews

Critic Reviews

Michael Phillips
October 18, 2008
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

It's almost funny, or theoretically funny. It's just not actually funny. Full Review

Roger Moore
June 20, 2008
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

If I had my way, every indie comedy would be done The Foot Fist Way. Full Review

Steven Rea
June 12, 2008
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A very cool comedy based on character -- real, and really self-deluded characters -- and not on shtick. Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz
June 12, 2008
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

Boasting outrageous laughs and a performance with real heart beneath its dim-bulb exterior, The Foot Fist Way is a ragged delight. Full Review

Peter Hartlaub
June 6, 2008
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

Morning zoo radio DJs can rejoice: You'll be mining quotes from this movie for the next several decades. Full Review

Colin Covert
June 6, 2008
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Once we relax into the fact that not much is going to happen, we can enjoy the film's little moments of nutso inspiration. Full Review

Tom Long
June 6, 2008
Tom Long, Detroit News

It's also pretty funny at times, even if its central joke wears thin. Full Review

J. R. Jones
June 6, 2008
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

It plays exactly like a Will Ferrell comedy, but better, because Ferrell's not in it. Full Review

Roger Ebert
June 6, 2008
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I cannot recommend this movie, but I can describe it, and then it's up to you...What it does, it does well, even the point of its disgusting final scene. Full Review

Gabe Oppenheim
June 5, 2008
Gabe Oppenheim, Washington Post

Just as the dish begins to sizzle, Foot Fist turns off the burners. This is fare meant to be served cool. Full Review

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