The later 70s were not a fun time in the United States, the ending of industrial production was placing a severe strain on the economy, a gas crisis was still overhanging, Watergate remained a fresh memory, and the country was on a low ebb. A lot...
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The later 70s were not a fun time in the United States, the ending of industrial production was placing a severe strain on the economy, a gas crisis was still overhanging, Watergate remained a fresh memory, and the country was on a low ebb. A lot of dark, satirical comedies were the norm, and George Roy Hill was all over the idea. Some of the odd character types typical of these films can still be seen today in movies by the Coen Brothers, etc.

"Slap Shot" is a good balance of comedy and issues, not as good as "Network" but still, taking advantage of minor league hockey mired in the "goon era" brought to its highest form by the Philadelphia Flyers (and threatening to make the sport a slightly more serious version of roller derby). What the movie does effectively is integrate the serious issues of keeping a team afloat with the broad laughs of the Hanson brothers, the conniving of owners, and smarter, more worldly players (such as the good-humored Newman here) to add more depth. I also like the numerous scenes played in actual arenas of the teams of the northeast, I had actually been to many of these buildings at the time to watch "old time hockey".

Hilarious! Funnny movie. It was funny from start to end. It wasn't slow either, which is always a good thing in my opinion. Before I watched it I thought the Hanson brothers were like the whole movie but I was surprised how they were only a good...
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Hilarious! Funnny movie. It was funny from start to end. It wasn't slow either, which is always a good thing in my opinion. Before I watched it I thought the Hanson brothers were like the whole movie but I was surprised how they were only a good fraction of it. The coach/player Reggie and Ned Braden were also very funny. I thought the movie was a great sports movie. Probably 1 of the Top 25 sports movies of alltime, 50 all-time no doubt!