The Underdoggs on Prime Video

THE UNDERDOGGS is hard to root for. It is true that everyone loves an underdog story. Sadly the writers decided to go the crude humor route instead of focusing on the important and vital part of community. The Underdoggs streams on Prime Video January 26th. Rated R for pervasive language, sexual references, drug use, and some underage drinking. Regardless what the disclaimer says at the start of the film, this is not something your kid should watch. Or strive to be for that matter.

There are a few films that have popped up over the decades like The Underdoggs. Obviously the most well knows was 1976’s The Bad News Bears. In this one legendary rapper Snoop Dogg stars as a Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings, a washed out, former NFL super star receiver. When a string of circumstances lands him in trouble Jennings is sent back to his old neighborhood for some community service. While there he discovers a rag tag pee-wee football league in need of a coach. And Jennings is in need of some good public relations.

One of a long list of issues with this story is the believability. It is sad because Snoop Dogg actually does a lot of incredible things in real life in the area of sports and disadvantaged youth. His Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL) has helped a number of young people. It would have been nice to see that in action here.

What we get instead is a crude, foul, and unrootable script that is neither funny or encouraging. The film tries to convince us that these kids learn something through the journey. It is doubtful. A basic synopsis: Jennings is a punk. Shows up. Is a punk to the kids, his old friends and everyone else. He gives one horrible speech, has a hallmark moment, and we are all expected to cheer.

There are several cameos in this from the sports world including a nice endorsement from Fox NFL Sunday. More than likely to encourage Snoop for his off stage work. After seeing the film they are more than likely regretting the decision to be in this at all.

Anything that is remotely funny is in the trailer. In the context of the film it is lost in a river of failed one liners and lazy writing. The kids get the worst end of the deal. If this is the best mentoring and encouragement they get in the real world; in a film about underdogs, they most certainly are.