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Double Teamed
By Kat Halstead,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Positive true story of twin girls' rise to pro basketball.
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Double Teamed
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Based on 1 parent review
Great basketball movie
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What's the Story?
DOUBLE TEAMED is the true story about twins Heather (Poppi Monroe) and Heidi Burge (Annie McElwain) and their rise to the WNBA. Pushed by their father Larry (Nick Searcy) the twins are sent to a school in a rich neighborhood that offers a great sports program -- selling up their family home and moving them into a tiny apartment. The sisters soon join the school's basketball team. But not all members of the team are happy being overshadowed by the new recruits. As the team enters an important competition that could catch the attention of college scouts, the twins must stop competing with each other and bring the team together to succeed.
Is It Any Good?
The movie follows the familiar story of a pushy parent walking the line between supporting their children's talent and taking over their life. Though Heather is clearly motivated from the start, Heidi is often portrayed as someone who may have chosen a different path for herself, which takes away from a straightforward "hard work pays off" or "triumph over adversity" narrative. The sports scenes are well executed, and the supporting cast score strong performances. But lazy stereotypes, such as the rich kid whose competitive nature stems from a lack of attention at home, makes the characters feel formulaic.
The main family fails to muster the energy that might have elevated Double Teamed, although the love-hate relationship between the sisters rings true. The plot dribbles along, rolling into clichés as it goes. But it's saved last-minute by a dramatic, high-stakes game in which characters make sacrifices and step up their performance to create a grand finale with a feel-good message and an inspirational nod to future success.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of playing on a team as portrayed in Double Teamed. Why do some of the players act badly towards each other? What makes a good team player? Why is teamwork such an important character strength and how can it be applied outside of sport? How can I use media to teach my kid teamwork?
The movie is based on a true story. Would you like to see more movies about girls and sports? Why do you think there aren't as many as movies about boys and sports? Watching gender: how stereotypes in movies and on TV impact kids' development.
In what ways are the twins different, and what similarities do they have? Talk about your own relationships with your siblings. What makes you similar? What makes you different?
What does the twins' father learn during the movie? What do you think is the overall message of the film?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: January 18, 2002
- Cast: Poppi Monroe , Annie McElwain , Teal Redmann
- Director: Duwayne Dunham
- Studio: Disney Channel Original Movies
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Brothers and Sisters , High School
- Character Strengths: Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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