As the brutality ramps up, and the story gains real consequence, for some reason, we actually laugh harder. Goon is a comedy, often a very funny one, but you might be hesitant to call it that once you've actually seen it.

| Jan 8, 2013

A disarmingly sweet descendant of the blood-on-the-ice classic Slap Shot.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 8, 2013

Exuberantly off-color, bloody, and frequently laugh-'til-you-choke hilarious.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 27, 2012

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

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 20, 2012

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.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 12, 2012

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

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 5, 2012

Doug becomes a character you really root for.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Apr 5, 2012

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

| Mar 30, 2012

George Roy Hill's classic Slap Shot may still hold the title as the quintessential hockey comedy, but Goon certainly deserves to be mentioned in its company, juggling charm and grit and raunch and bloody teeth with assuredness and aplomb.

| Mar 30, 2012

Seann William Scott gives a surprisingly engaging, even sweet performance as the title character in the brutal, raunchy hockey comedy.

| Original Score: 3.5/5.0 | Mar 30, 2012

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.

| Original Score: B | Mar 30, 2012

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

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 30, 2012

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.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Mar 29, 2012

Behind the film's brass knuckles are tender fingers.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 29, 2012

It's made with affection both for the ritual of hockey fights and the strain of sports movies that care more about wisecracks and pranks than winning the big game.

| Mar 29, 2012

Goon is crude, violent and deeply enjoyable.

| Original Score: 8/10 | Mar 29, 2012

[Scott is] a talented actor, and it's worth checking out his new dramedy just to get a sense of his wide-ranging skills.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 29, 2012

It's the rare hockey movie to approach violence head-on, without hectoring or hand-wringing, as an essential element of the sport, not some inhumane sideshow.

| Original Score: A- | Mar 29, 2012

The best thing about "Goon" is not the hockey action, or who wins and who loses. It's Doug's rags-to-riches story.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 29, 2012

When Seann William Scott uses his fists, he's a star.

| Original Score: B- | Mar 28, 2012