Champions

source: Champions

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I hate to trash one of the only movies that heavily features people with intellectual disabilities, so the nicest thing I can say is this movie isn't for me. And in many ways, it really isn't. I don't normally go for uplifting, inspirational, heartfelt stories about beating all odds in the face of adversity. Having said that, I still could have enjoyed this if it was done better. But as soon as it started, I wasn't laughing at any of the attempted humor. At all. It has the feel of streaming movie inferiority. One example, in the first basketball scene, they show Woody Harrelson speak. Then he says another line when the camera is zoomed out and he is obscured. But I could clearly tell he wasn't moving his lips. It's a line they added in after. And to make it worse, it doesn't sound the same as his surrounding lines. It sounds like it was dubbed over the final audio track. I rarely quit movies and I've definitely seen a lot worse than this in terms of quality. But I decided to cut bait early and stopped after 25 minutes. I was fully confident that it wouldn't do anything to make me feel differently. (1 viewing, 5/6/2023)

Why are people not seeing this movie? The acting is phenomenal. This is a feel good movie that you will not want to get up from till it's over. There are a few surprises that I thought were going to happen but never did. But the real winners are the special needs actors and actresses, Woody Haroldson was only a bonus especially since it reminded me of his days on cheers. I did not have the chance to find out if they did their own singing but if so this movie deserves an award. Cheech and Ernie should have had larger roles but what part they had I enjoyed. It's not only a feel good movie but it was also great comedy. Never underestimate the power of special needs.

source: Champions

source: Champions

source: Champions

The original film really isn't that old, so I don't know what they bothered to remake it. Felt the story was somewhat predictable. And did nothing to bring the old story further forward with obviously the budget that a Hollywood American production can allow. It feels like the studio ran out of ideas for films to make so just ripped off a heart warming film that is already out there. Best thing to do it watch the original and if you thought that was too good and you want something worse then watch this latest production. A shame really as it could have been so much more, definitely an opportunity missed.

My Review-Champions My Rating. 7:10 Champions was a really pleasant surprise and very entertaining as I know nothing about basket ball beyond the Harlem Globetrotters and that catchy tune. It's a familiar plot about a former disgraced baseball coach Marcus beautifully cast with Woody Harrelson in the lead resurrecting his career and self esteem. Marcus after being charged with a drink driving charge is assigned to community service coaching a team of intellectually disadvantaged players. Coach Marcus soon realises that this team simply called The Friends shows promise and his aloof rough tough exterior and ego soon begins to thaw . Especially when the infectious personalities and warmth of this team simply named The Friends convinces him to take them further perhaps even to Special Olympic status . Marcus also embarks on a casual romantic interest in one of the team members Johnny's sister Alex played delightfully by Kaitlin Olson . This relationship contributes to both Alex and Marcus having to face some soul searching truths about each other and the direction their lives are heading . Apart from Woody Harrelson and Kaitlin Olsen the most enjoyable aspect of this movie are the team members a talented group of young intellectually challenged young people. Standout performance by Madison Tevlin as the feisty female member Cosentino , Kevin Iannucci as Johnny the brother of Alex a wisecracking teen who is adored and protected by his sister. Also Matt Cook as Sonny who shows Marcus the value of friendship and Casey Metcalfe as Marlon the autistic savant who can rattle of amazing facts about any subject to the amazement of Marcus. This is a delightful if predictable story of hope and connection adapted from a 2018 Spanish film titled Campeones which I must try and track down the screenplay writers and director Bobby Farrelly have produced a very entertaining and thoughtful insight into the world of sport for intellectually disadvantaged people of all ages .

Just seen this today and I am pleasantly suprised . Love woody harrelson . Never disappoints me in any of his films . Haven't seen the original but am intending to search for it . Harrleson plays a basketball coach whonafter drink driving is sacked and whose community service is training a team of special needs teenagers in basketball. The team are made up of allsorts of youngsters with different disabilities . The film shows different triumphs they overcome , different issues they have in their day to day life and how they come together as a team. Harrelson overcomes his own issues and bonds with them . It's a mixture of humour and I found myself laughing, feeling some sympathy , empathy and also some anger towards some of the issues the film portrays . Shows how there is still ignorance around . Some fantastic acting by the basketball team. I would imagine this film was a joy to film and it was a joy to watch . A real feel good movie .