Too often Slapshot is mentioned at the top of such lists as: best sports comedy, best sports movie, best hockey movie etc. - sometimes even best comedy. I recently saw it again after many years and it has not aged well. The main problem is with the script and dialogue and that is a very serious problem.
I appreciate the main plot and themes of a minor league hockey team struggling to survive, but the actions and events are very contrived, especially the climactic striptease scene. The other "comic" actions and the "comedic" dialogue don't just fall flat, but they are outright embarrassing. Even Paul Newman manages to induce cringes.
The only redeeming parts of the movie, and the reason for my score of "3" is the appearance of the three "Hanson" brothers. Played by actual pro hockey players, the scenes where they are prominent are a joy to watch. Not only is it obvious that they are very good players and skaters, but their comic scenes are the only genuinely funny scenes in the movie.
The only reason to watch Slapshot is to observe the "Hanson" brothers in action. They don't appear until nearly halfway through and they only have about a half dozen short scenes - so keep your thumb near fast forward.
I appreciate the main plot and themes of a minor league hockey team struggling to survive, but the actions and events are very contrived, especially the climactic striptease scene. The other "comic" actions and the "comedic" dialogue don't just fall flat, but they are outright embarrassing. Even Paul Newman manages to induce cringes.
The only redeeming parts of the movie, and the reason for my score of "3" is the appearance of the three "Hanson" brothers. Played by actual pro hockey players, the scenes where they are prominent are a joy to watch. Not only is it obvious that they are very good players and skaters, but their comic scenes are the only genuinely funny scenes in the movie.
The only reason to watch Slapshot is to observe the "Hanson" brothers in action. They don't appear until nearly halfway through and they only have about a half dozen short scenes - so keep your thumb near fast forward.