Review: Baitshop (DVD)
Comic Bill Engvall, one of the key members of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, is the star of Bait Shop, a good-natured family comedy about the modest owner of a small, local bait shop who is struggling to make ends meet and keep his shop open when hotshot pro fishing celebrity Hot Rod Johnson (Billy Ray Cyrus) moves in and opens a huge, Cabela’s-style sporting goods store across the street from him, threatening his livelihood and his Vegas vacations (OK, maybe that last part’s an exaggeration).
Engvall is surrounded by a group of friends who, while usually reliable, are as tempted as anyone by the lure of Hot Rod Johnson’s glitzy sporting goods shop. Worse, his own son, who has looked down at his dad’s way of life, is lured into Hot Rod’s circle of friends, becoming a sort of apprentice to the celebrity fisherman, even though there are few differences between Johnson’s life and the life of Bill Duggan (Engvall) at the most basic level, aside from success.
A huge celebrity fishing contest is scheduled, and soon becomes the focus of the film; to save his Bait Shop, Duggan must enter and win the fishing contest, but the odds against him are long, especially with the escalating rivalry with reigning champ, Johnson.
The general tone and feel of the movie is family-oriented and relatable. Engvall’s comedy celebrates the blue-collar working hero without looking down on their culture as so much of Hollywood tends to do. Anyone who enjoys fishing will find something likable in this film.
Of course, the film isn’t without its Hollywood contrivances. The underdog overcoming long odds against him is a standard movie formula, long typified by films as diverse as The Mighty Ducks and Rocky. And the ending is a typical Hollywood “happy ending” that celebrates the victory of the moral common man over the corrupt celebrity.
That being said, the film is pleasingly lacking in crudity or foul language, making it safe viewing for the entire family. While mired in cliché and corny, predictable humor, the core of the film is appealing and fun to watch. Though hardly a classic, Baitshop is certainly a good popcorn movie on a weekend afternoon at home.