First of all, this is for those who love inspiring underdog stories. That being said, let's dive right into it.
Sypnosis
A former minor league basketball coach is ordered by the court to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. He soon realizes that despite his doubts, together, this team can go further than they ever imagined.
So stories like this are not new or unique. In fact, Champions is a remake of a Saudi Arabian film that came out in 2021. But aside from that, if you've seen The Mighty Ducks, then you've seen the structure and the concept of this film.
I'm not saying that as a negative, but if you're looking for a wholly original story, this isn't it. Woody Harrelson plays a basketball coach who gets in trouble with the law. So for his community service, he has to spend 90 days coaching a basketball team made up of people with intellectual disabilities.
I think the thing that keeps this from going off the rails or becoming a distasteful story is that while Harrelson's character is flawed, he's never a terrible person. He's not rude or condescending to the team members, but he's still able to show a level of frustration with the players from a coaching perspective.
The cast that makes up the basketball team, they are hilarious in a very pure and joyful way. I mean, they still display disappointments, frustrations and the regular gamut of emotions that everybody experiences. But they also showcase a positive outlook that tends to be their default state of mind. And that's refreshing to watch.
My take on the movie
I love the genuine snark that's captured from so many of the team members and then the straight face comedy that they can deliver when a character will do something just very bizarre. Like for instance, one character only ever shoots granny style, but also backwards. So no matter where he's at, he tosses the ball that way and then he celebrates even if he misses.
This is a conundrum for Harrelson, but it makes total sense for the team because they're all about supporting each other. And this arc, it does weave its way throughout the story. So while it may start out just feeling like a shtick or maybe a gimmick, it actually has a meaningful point within the story.
Caitlin Olsen also stars in this, and she has a great dynamic with Harrelson. She's kind of no nonsense, but this helps when she's delivering her deadpan sarcastic humor. And while I'm not sure I ever laughed out loud with a belly buster from her, I did chuckle at their interactions and I was definitely amused by the banner.
The filmmaking captures the basketball games really well, creating a sense of excitement and energy that picks up the pace of the story when these things are going on. And there's not an overwhelming amount of basketball games shown, but there is enough to see the players in action and to get insights into each of their personalities, as well as watching growth take place within Harrelson.
Downside of the movie
The biggest downside of the movie is that it's too long. This is just a bit over two hours, and it definitely does not need to be that length. The arcs and the progressions, they are very predictable and obvious. And while that didn't bother me, when those are then combined with a story that's taking too long to tell, it does become a detractor for enjoyment.
Many portions can be cut out and removed to just tell this more efficiently. I think had this stayed around the 90 minute mark, it would have been way more engaging and enjoyable. Now, I was still having fun with the story, thanks mostly to the characters.
But when you know where the story is headed and yet it refuses to push forward to get there, that's when the watching moves from entertaining to a chore. And despite the too long runtime, the movie's got a bunch of heart to it that absolutely made me smile. And a big part of the movie focuses on the dynamic between Harrelson and player Kevin Iannucci.
They have a great connection that's witty, but also heartfelt. And they have good chemistry.
What I loved about the film
I really like how the story actually reverses their roles at times, making Iannucci the coach for Harrelson, giving him new perspectives and then challenging him to grow as a person.
Predictability aside, everything about this movie makes it a feel good winner, except for the runtime. And that really did impact the enjoyment.
In conclusion...
The acting is fun and it's filled with cheerworthy characters, many of whom will create legitimate laughter at their pureness of delivery. And then the action, I think it's captured well, too, creating urgency during games as well as showcasing the talent of the players.
The themes and messages of the film are certainly some of the bright spots, never creating an atmosphere or even a feeling that the actors with the disabilities were lacking or less than. I mean, they're shown as equals and more than capable, which is refreshing and inspiring. That being said, I give Champions 7 out of 10.