The Foot Fist Way (2006)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  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… More
  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 version) 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.

• Adam M

  
  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.… More
  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. She'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.

• Robert C

  
  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.

• Lenny M

  
  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.

• Lewis C

  
  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… More
  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 more 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.

• Ken S

  
  Not quite as funny as I was led to believe, but definitely worth seeing.

• Luke B

  
  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 equal… More
  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 equal 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.

• E.J. B

  
  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 students.… More
  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 students. 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.

• Aaron N

  
  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 the… More
  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 the 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.

• James A

  
  Entertaining and funny.

• Tim S

  
  This movie is fucking stupid! I know, I know, two of my heroes think it is hilarious, which makes it even more disappointing. I like independent movies and I appreciate the fact that they will have some shitty acting here and there....but COME ON..where the fuck have the standards… More
  This movie is fucking stupid! I know, I know, two of my heroes think it is hilarious, which makes it even more disappointing. I like independent movies and I appreciate the fact that they will have some shitty acting here and there....but COME ON..where the fuck have the standards gone? Danny McBride is funny, but I don't want to have to use this as an excuse so I can watch all of his fucking cousins be in a movie. When your two big jokes are the fact that your wife is a whore and you beating up on little kids and both fall flat you are in serious trouble. Me and my wife kept wondering if this was a fucking student film (and I have seen much better student films). And everyone is surprised when a movie about talking dogs is the number one movie in America.

• Steve K

  
  Amusing throughout, with a few honest belly laughs, but also very slight. While Napoleon Dynamite was quirky across the board, this film has one character shoulder all that burden, and he's not all that likable (if at all). An amusing time waster if there's nothing else… More
  Amusing throughout, with a few honest belly laughs, but also very slight. While Napoleon Dynamite was quirky across the board, this film has one character shoulder all that burden, and he's not all that likable (if at all). An amusing time waster if there's nothing else available.

• moon r

  
  didja ever know a total jerk whose main claim to jerkdom (is that a place? don't answer!) is his absolute total faith in that he's (or she) is really the coolest of the cool? this film introduces us to one such character and we follow him as he disbelievingly faces what we… More
  didja ever know a total jerk whose main claim to jerkdom (is that a place? don't answer!) is his absolute total faith in that he's (or she) is really the coolest of the cool? this film introduces us to one such character and we follow him as he disbelievingly faces what we all know that he must face sooner or later: that he just ain't as cool as he thinks. in fact...he may be just a... but the film engages as it takes a wee step back and we uncomfortably discover that this knucklehead is all too like the rest of us. oh yeah, didn't expect that, didja? oh yeah, the jerk is everyman, get it? not cool. just a schmuck trying to make head or tails of a world (and the people in it) he cannot quite understand. this wee tweak in what first appears to be a joke film about a joke human being...makes this a special one to look for. no explosions, no kung fu, no shiny hardware or aliens, simply a humble look at how merely facing our damnable weaknesses somehow makes us stronger. makes us human.

• Brandon K

  
  Really funny at times, but it wasn't solid all the way through.

• Philip P

  
  Danny McBride is a funny guy. The Foot Fist Way may not be as consistently funny as I had hoped, but for a small film that him and a few friends put together, it is pretty dang good. The one-liners and the way they are delivered by McBride are always funny, its like this guy could… More
  Danny McBride is a funny guy. The Foot Fist Way may not be as consistently funny as I had hoped, but for a small film that him and a few friends put together, it is pretty dang good. The one-liners and the way they are delivered by McBride are always funny, its like this guy could say anything and I would laugh-the story is a little lackluster, but simple enough to allow the main character to have free-reign on his world. The supporting players are simply background for this McBride showcase, the shots are simple but again show McBride in a light that only exudes his comedic rants. I may not have enjoyed this as much as I'd hoped, but it was funny, and definitely worth a watch if you are a McBride fan or even a karate fan.

• Jon O

  
  Good for a few laughs, but it can't even sustain its brief 80 minute running time.

• Marcus W

  
  McBride is hilarious as the self-obsessed tae-kwon-do expert. It's his character (think David Brent and you'll be close) that leads the film. In one way it's a spoof of cheap martial arts movies, on the other it's a clever character study. The running-time is short… More
  McBride is hilarious as the self-obsessed tae-kwon-do expert. It's his character (think David Brent and you'll be close) that leads the film. In one way it's a spoof of cheap martial arts movies, on the other it's a clever character study. The running-time is short so it never outstays it's welcome, or sits still long enough to get stale. One to watch.

• Jim W

  
  The Foot Fist Way is filmed like a Documentary, kind of like the Office. We just watch as ego maniac jerk Fred Simmons (Danny McBribe) curses at little kids and occasionally even beats them up. Sometimes it's funny and sometimes it's just disturbing, which pretty much sums… More
  The Foot Fist Way is filmed like a Documentary, kind of like the Office. We just watch as ego maniac jerk Fred Simmons (Danny McBribe) curses at little kids and occasionally even beats them up. Sometimes it's funny and sometimes it's just disturbing, which pretty much sums up the entire movie. McBride is in good form, but the material could have been better.

• Wu C

  
  I really like Danny McBride, but I didn't find this really funny. Average at best.

• MJS M

  
  I?ve recently discovered the new HBO comedy series ?Eastbound and Down? which was produced by Will Ferrell and which stars a fellow named Danny McBride. The show?s pretty funny so I thought I?d check out McBride?s feature film debut which has been gathering a bit of a cult following… More
  I?ve recently discovered the new HBO comedy series ?Eastbound and Down? which was produced by Will Ferrell and which stars a fellow named Danny McBride. The show?s pretty funny so I thought I?d check out McBride?s feature film debut which has been gathering a bit of a cult following recently. McBride?s shtick here is pretty much the same as his persona on the show, except that his stupidity seems a bit more innocent and well intentioned here than it does on the show. I do like McBride?s performance here, he?s got a lot of energy and he controls his voice in interesting ways. In spite of the good performance, this really just didn?t tickle my funny bone like the show does. I can?t place my finger on the problem, the jokes just don?t really hit for me. Still this was pretty interesting for a micro-budget project and it remained a nice watchable story even if I wasn?t laughing too much. Maybe I just wasn?t in the right mood for it.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings