OK for kids 11+
Inspiring football documentary about the power of teamwork.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this inspiring football documentary includes a few uses of strong language ("s--t") but is otherwise a great example of how one fatherly mentor can make the difference in the lives of many young men. Even better is the fact that Coach Bill isn't a fictional movie character; he's the real deal -- a successful businessman who wants to show underprivileged teens that with discipline and teamwork, they can rise above their surroundings and make it to college and beyond.
- Families can talk about Undefeated's messages. Are they all positive? How about role models? Who do you find most inspiring?
- Discuss the movie's inherent race and class issues. Does race a play a role in how the team relates to Coach Bill?
- How does Undefeated compare to other inspiring football films about underdog teams? Did the movie end how you expected?
- Why are sports films so compelling, even if you're not a fan of that particular sport?
The good stuff
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Messages: Positive messages about the transformative power of team sports, the importance of a father figure in young men's lives, and the idea that when you do what's right with integrity and character, good things will follow. Coach Bill is instrumental in teaching the young guys that character isn't about how much you have, but how you handle life's failures. Even in the face of defeat, the Tigers are encouraged to stand tall.
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Role models: Bill is an amazing role model. He's a generous, caring businessman who coaches low-income teens whom others have underestimated. Although it means his own immediate family has to sacrifice time with him, Bill dedicates himself to helping the guys on the Manassas football team reach their potential. And the guys themselves are also inspiring, despite a few flaws: OC rises to the challenge of studying and practicing to meet the requirements necessary to play college ball, Money stays true to the team even after an injury makes him question whether he's part of it, and Chavis learns from his mistakes and becomes a leader in the team.
What to watch for
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Violence: Two players push each other, and one calls the other "gay." Chavis is known for having anger management problems, and he's suspended from playing for a portion of the season for his behavior. The actual game can get fairly violent, and one fall injures a key player.
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Sex: A brief mention of a girl whom OC is trying to impress.
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Language: A few uses of "s--t," "damn," "ass," "hell," and one pejorative use of the word "gay."
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Consumerism: A couple of players are shown wearing Nike athletic wear or sneakers.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
4
No Sandra Bullock, but who cares by iknowbest
I liked this very much. It did get slow in a few places, but largely moved along well.
This is a pretty fascinating film, and terribly depressing within the context that there is an awful lot of good among, and for individuals. It is a sad commentary on the poverty and near hopeless circumstances that should not exist in the United States. It is heartwarming when concerned only with those who are the focus of the film, but what about all the others on the team, and those not on the team. Whatever the college placement for those about whom we have been told, what then?
It also made me understand those 'prayer huddles' so prevalent every Sunday when watching the NFL. It made me think that maybe I should be a little more tolerant of those huddles. They are not really what they seem on the surface, but really only a part of being a team.
4
Undefeated by TheBlackEbert
With all of the Oscar buzz it got I checked out Undefeated with all expectations that it would be great and it really was. Think BlindSide in documentary form that gives it all the realness without all the hollywood bells and whistles. I really enjoyed it! B+
5
A MUST SEE FILM by donnavanderbilt
This movie was awesome! I'm so glad I decided to take my 8yo son (who's dad also has bailed). This was the best story of what it means to become a man and be the best man you can possibly be. Thank u for making this movie and for rereleasing it so more people's lives could be touched by it. Fantastic!!!
4
Undefeated by Peneflix
At the risk of being pejorative I still prefer "Pina"...
Coming from a family of football fanatics; ingrained from birth, intrinsic in our genetic composition, male/female, there was no cure or escape from the game. Oh, the magnetic, magnificent, spellbinding, addictive oeuvre...
There is nothing more compelling than the "underdog", the omnipresent "defeated", rising like a phoenix from the ashes of their humiliation, accomplishing the unrealized, illusive winning season. Such is the Cinderella story of the Manassas Tigers (Memphis, Tennessee) a high school entrenched in archival losses; seasons without a win, hired by other schools as fodder to pound, plummet, and practice against. Along comes Bill Courtney, a mildly successful white businessman willing to pump and plunder the talent he envisions lurking beneath these tough, inner- city, frustrated, angry young men...
FOUR STARS!!!!
***For full review please visit peneflix.com
5
Great Movie by lynbrook
Undefeated was one of the best and inspirational movies I have ever seen. The documentary made me feel like I could conquer the world.
4
Worth The Ticket For Just One Of Its Scenes. by Alon Patterson
Yes, there's a formula here. Too bad it barely exists in real life. This is a documentary whose subject is far less, diminuitive by comparison, than the people it introduces to the world. One more football team overcomes long odds to win the big game? Not even close. In fact, one scene about two-thirds of the way in literally moves even the toughest among us to tears, it's so poignant. See this. It technically play like a documentary but it sure doesn't seem like one. You won't be disappointed.
4
Undefeated by Stanley Loeb
This is the real 'Blind Side' For genuine passion for football, biracial love of man, and affection and understanding, there have been very few to match this movie about Coach Courtney at Manassas Higjh School in North Memphis and his team. Uplifting? You bet. Feel good? Of course. But time well spent.
Stan Loeb, Portland, OR
5
Undefeated by sirvalle
Great movie! Reminded me of 'Friday Night Lights' and 'Blind Side', but seemed more realistic. I think its a good movie for high school kids and adults.
3
Great Story, Questionable Editing by uruguayzinger
The story is a typical comeback-kid, sports movie story. It's pretty amazing that it's a true story and a documentary because it seemed straight out of [insert stereotypical sports movie here]. My only issue was the editing. There was a lot left out, and the amount of time that had elapsed was always questionable. They left out a lot of details, like their record the two previous years, and it seemed as if it was all set up to be a picture-perfect, neat little tale of people rising to meet the demands put upon them. It had its moments, but left me with a lot of questions regarding some important information that was left out.