There's no way to predict what you're going to get when you see a National Lampoon movie.

Tucked in the racks between classics such as "Animal House," Chevy Chase's "Vacation" series, and even "Van Wilder," are comedic flops that leave you shaking your head. If anyone sat through every sketch from "Lost Reality," they'd know what I mean.

With "Blackball," I don't even know where to begin.

There's something about it that is begging to be loved, especially given a small role from college favorite Vince Vaughn - who has starred in "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" - and notable "Six Feet Under" star James Cromwell. But something is missing from "Blackball," which could be considered the bad British lawn bowls equivalent to "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" or "Happy Gilmore." It's as if you're still waiting for the moment of shiny comedic glory when the credits roll, and wonder if you're the only one who felt that way.

Paul Kaye, coming off a stint playing a background zombie in "Shaun of the Dead," is reputable bad boy Cliff Starkey, who makes news in the sports world by besting several great English bowls players with his unconventional playing style. His problems arise not only when he falls head over heals for Kerry (Alice Evans), the daughter of reigning bowls champion Ray Speight (Cromwell), but also when his newfound fame alienates his rough-and-tumble friends.

Unfortunately, the plot moves much too slowly, leaving viewers restless and completely unconcerned for Cliff's fate.

You know he's considered a "bad boy," he likes playing bowls and he doesn't seem to fit in with the older, pretentious bowls fraternity.

But other than those small facts, Cliff's character development is nonexistent. His relationship with Kerry, which seemingly comes out of nowhere, is difficult to imagine and ultimately emotionless.

Likewise, the film's climax, where Cliff and former foe, Ray, team up to fight an Australian bowls duo, is more like another movie's initial developing action.

The stakes of the match are unclear -there's no championship pin on the line - and you're simply not sure if you want to sympathize with irritating Cliff at all.

In a good sports film, audiences have to believe that there is something at stake for the central character; or, at least, they must feel a strong distaste for the opposition.

Here, we don't know these Australian contenders at all - the only time they ever truly slight Cliff and Ray is when they refuse to shake their hands at the start of the match.

If you're a die-hard National Lampoon fan, or a bowls fan at the very least, you might want to catch "Blackball" in theaters. Otherwise, wait until you can rent it on video or DVD and make sure you're good and loopy before you press play.

"Blackball" opens at Lansing's Celebration Cinema, 200 E. Edgewood Blvd., on Friday.