THE UNDERDOGGS – A Review by John Strange
This is a film filled to the brim with f-bombs plus its share of weed smoking. Just saying this upfront because that is the big sticking point that parents must consider before they allow their kids to see The Underdoggs.
The Underdoggs is the story of Jaycen “Double J” Jennings (Snoop Dogg), a former football star whose ego ended his career before his ability ebbed. When he ends up in court following a stupid wreck that cost him an expensive sports car, the judge sentences him to 300 hours of community service. Picking up dog poop at a Long Beach area park.
At the park he sees a team of young men desperately in need a good coach to break their long losing streak. He finagles his way into the coach’s position, but his ego doesn’t look like it will allow him to help these kids.
The film follows Jaycen and the kids as the man finds his way to a type of salvation, despite a manager (Kal Penn as Ryan Kauffman) who won’t talk to him until his press starts to show some progress toward a positive slant. And a sports commentator/coach who is the very epitome of what Jaycen should never do.
For the required love interest, we are given Cherise (Tika Sumpter), the mother of one of the boys. She just happens to also be an ex-girlfriend.
In the sidekick slot, we have Mike Epps as Kareem, a ne’er-do-well who is introduced to us when he starts to carjack Jaycen.
This raunchy film is fun to watch if you can handle the language. That language is why the film is not going to receive my 5-star rating. It fits the story but will drive away a lot of potential viewers.
Director: Charles Stone III
Cast: Snoop Dogg, Tika Sumpter, Mike Epps, Andrew Schulz, and George Lopez
MPAA Rating: R (for pervasive language, sexual references, drug use, and some underage drinking)
Selig Rating: 4 Stars
Runtime: 101 Min.
Release Date: 01/26/2024
Release Locations: Amazon Prime Video
Language: English
Trailer: THE UNDERDOGGS Official Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
