Jaycen 'Two Js' Jennings is a washed-up former pro football star who has hit rock bottom. When sentenced to community service coaching the Underdoggs, an unruly pee-wee football team in his hometow...
The undeniable appeal and charisma of rapper-turned-actor Snoop Dogg is the highlight of R-rated comedy “The Underdoggs,” a not half bad inspirational sports film from director Charles Stone III. Loosely based on the Snoop Youth Football League, which was founded by the musician in 2005 to provide inner city kids a place to participate in football and cheerleading, this funny, feel-good movie echoes the values of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and other life lessons, all wrapped up in a mid-level stoner comedy.
Jaycen “2 J’s” Jennings (Dogg) lived the high life as a football superstar, but his oversized ego and bad behavior got him tossed from the sport. With his trademark bad attitude and an even bigger chip on his shoulder, Jaycen gets himself in a bit of trouble with the law. When he goes in front of a judge who’s had enough of his bad boy shenanigans, she sentences him to 300 hours of community service. In a bid to get closer to his old girlfriend Cherise (Tika Sumpter), Jaycen signs on to coach her son’s fledging pee wee football team. With the help of his best friend Kareem (Mike Epps), it takes the pair a while to realize the impact they will have on the lives of these young boys.
There isn’t much more to this basic story, and Stone utilizes a lot of filler because he doesn’t need much time to tell the simple narrative. It’s drawn out with montages, football game action, and other repetitive scenes, and it does start to wear thin. It feels like Snoop isn’t really acting, and he was probably the easiest person to direct. I could see him lighting up a joint, smoking it, and then just riffing in front of a rolling camera. He’s just a lot of fun to be around, and watching as he hurls top tier insults while talking crap to little kids is amusing. And don’t worry — the kids give it back just as hard as they receive it.
If you’re offended by naughty language, especially out of the mouths of children, this isn’t the movie for you. There’s a sarcastic tone that’s set with the funny disclaimer before the movie even begins, and this type of humor won’t appeal to all moviegoers. Underneath all the snarkiness is a genuinely heartfelt message that’s hard not to admire, especially when it’s presented in a way that will reach a diverse audience.
“The Underdoggs” is a cute and fun shakeup of the genre, and it succeeds as a different kind of inspirational sports movie.
