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Parents' Guide to

Underdogs

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Football drama has positive messages but no surprises.

Movie PG 2013 103 minutes
Underdogs Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

eds22
eds22 Parent of 10 and 13-year-old
February 24, 2022
age 12+

Inspiring, interesting story with the parents too

The Underdog QB also has a brainy but underspoken father who tries to get ahead but gets threatened by his boss. The rival football team is of a wealthier school, ultimately sponsored by the boss. Has a positive ending for all the good guys, it's a teaching moment to explain to kids it doesn't always work out that way. The girlfriend is from the wealthy side, their relationship is very sweet. At the beginning she's caught in a changing room, there are a couple of pool/beach scenes - everyone is dressed in bathing suits but no one oozing out of them, it's actually more tame than the public beach. The picture ends with a rather slobbery kiss between them - too bad it wasn't a hug. It's a football movie - there's contact but no gratuitous violence. A nice story overall, lots of underdogs, very inspiring so long as kids can handle the basic girl-boy stuff going on.
RYeagerII
RYeagerII Adult
July 1, 2018
age 10+

Classic story with a feel-good vibe!

This is an excellent movie about a small town Ohio football team that has gotten used to having poor seasons and finally realize that it’s time for a change. A new, well-known and respectable head coach is brought in to help bring the team together at the initial dismay of the priest of the Catholic high school (who happens to be played by my actual high school English teacher!). Needless to say, things turn around for the family of the main character, for the team, and for the community. Great story, family-friendly, no foul language, and teaches a great life lesson. Well worth watching with the whole family!
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The Knights, a losing high school football team, are small, slow, and unmotivated to win. New coach Vince, whose father coached in the NFL, is tough and fair, and, through the usual movie-world techniques of unvarnished judgment and sensitive support, he coaxes the undersized underachievers to their first spot in the state playoffs in 20 years. Quarterback Bobby's dad, Bill, is having trouble at work. He offers his new invention to his wealthy and powerful boss, Mr. Handon, the area's biggest local employer. When it's turned down and Bill finds another buyer, Handon fires Bill and sues him, financially threatening Bobby's family. As payback, Handon sets his son, quarterback of the state champions, in a charity match-up against Bobby's team, the much improved Knights, for a battle seemingly pitting good against evil.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

As yet another in a long line of movies about bad (fill-in-the-blank) sports teams finding the inspiration to finally win, UNDERDOGS gets the job done without much flair. Still, the filmmakers do a satisfying job of presenting the clichéd movie about losers who gain self-respect and drive when a tough but compassionate coach lifts them up to full potential. Although it's inspired by true events, its real inspiration comes from same-old, same-old formulas used in dozens of earlier movies. Character development is minimal, and subplots are straightforward. Neither adds much to the movie's complexity.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Underdogs adheres to the formula of many other sports movies in which new coaches administer tough love and help losing teams overcome weaknesses. Based on that formula, did you know who would win the Big Game at the end? Would you have created a different ending?

  • A seeming bad guy performs a nice gesture at the end of the movie. Does the movie want you to change your mind about him? Do you think people can change their ways?

  • A trash-talking quarterback has a wealthy father who takes advantage of his position and power. Do you think the movie wants to make the point that children learn how to be good or bad people from the examples their parents set? Do you think that is true? Why, or why not?

Movie Details

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