Here Comes the Boom

In “Here Comes the Boom,” high school biology teacher Scott Voss (Kevin James), declares that some things are worth fighting for. Literally.

Faced with severe budget cuts, the principal of the failing high school at which Scott teaches announces that they have to cut $48,000. His solution: cancel all extra-curricular activities, cancel the music program, and lay off the music teacher, Marty (Henry Winkler). Although the 42-year-old Scott is usually quite apathetic, the realization that “everyone has quit on these kids” spurs him to action. “We’ll raise the money!” he declares – and then starts trying to figure out how he’ll do so. His rather unlikely fundraising idea: to start moonlighting as a mixed-martial arts fighter! After all, he was a wrestler in college. How hard can it be?

Of course, everyone thinks that Scott is crazy, especially Bella (Salma Hayek), the school nurse for whom Scott has the hots. Scott gets repeatedly injured, the school principal gets angry with him, and things just don’t seem to be going well. Until the unexpected happens, and Scott’s foray into the mixed-martial arts world ends up turning him into a sensation that rallies the entire school.

Directed by Frank Coraci from a screenplay by Allan Loeb and Kevin James, “Here Comes the Boom” is a sports comedy. The film is set for release on October 12, 2012 by Columbia Pictures (Sony). Rated PG for bouts of MMA sports violence, some rude humor and language.