Goon: Last Of The Enforcers

"Goon: The Last of the Enforcers" is the worst kind of sequel. First and foremost, it follows in the footsteps of something unexpectedly great -- a 2011 film that found Seann William Scott in arguably his best role since "American Pie" as a bouncer with a heart of gold turned minor league hockey enforcer (a.k.a., the guy whose main job is to fight anyone giving his team trouble on the ice). This out-of-nowhere gem had surprising amounts of heart and laughs (and unsurprising amounts of blood), along with some mindful and engaging direction by filmmaker Michael Dowse. Now comes the completely unnecessary sequel, which at once feels like tone-deaf karaoke of the original and a sad reminder of what once was.

Directed by Jay Baruchel, who co-starred in the first film and makes his directorial debut here, viewers can feel "The Last of the Enforcers" straining to be relevant with every advancing frame. However, in its ultimate execution, everything feels as if it's being reflected to us via funhouse mirrors. The heart feels sappy and insincere. The humor is vulgar and excessive, with non-hitting gags that range from homeless hand jobs to self-induced erotic asphyxiation. Long gone are the brilliant quotable lines of the first film and the vivacious energy that carried the original from one scene to the next.

The component most missed is the camaraderie of the hockey team at the story's center. Again, we're following a team of underdogs, but everything about their journey feels calculated and worn. There's not much to root for in this film -- the direction is messy, the writing sloppy, and the performances feel phoned in at best. Everyone on screen looks as if they owed Baruchel a favor, and nobody seems as if they genuinely wanted to take part in this sequel.

The result, in the end, is a sad one for those familiar with, and fans of, 2011's "Goon." My advice to those who have seen and enjoyed this film? Just skip its sequel and pretend it never existed. Your curiosity won't do you any favors here. For those who have never even heard of "Goon," seek it out. And if you end up being a fan, take my aforementioned advice. This movie is dead on arrival.