The Longshots (C or 2/4 stars)
Just when I thought I'd get to write a fun, scathing review of one of the most cliched, trite, formulaic genre films of recent times, it has to go and be good enough not to bash. Nearly every scene in 'The Longshots', directed by Fred Durst (yes, THAT Fred Durst) is a variation of every other sports drama that's come down the pike. There is almost no originality, and yet, none of it is bad, either. 2 things are for sure. Ice Cube surprised me in this movie. I'd never thought much of him before. And Keke Palmer really needs to find more challenging roles. She is great. But she needs to stretch herself now; she's that good.
'The Longshots' tells the true story (aren't they all?) of Jasmine Plummer (Palmer) who, at age 11, became the 1st female to play in the Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-yr. history. Down-on-his-luck, drunk slob, Curtis Plummer (Ice Cube) recalls the days when he was the star football player for his Minden Illinois high school team. Asked to babysit his niece Jasmine (who aspires to be a model one day), Curtis hopes to bring her to life by turning her into the new quarterback of the school team; in doing so, he'd also start to get 'his' life back in order (blah, blah, blah). As fate would have it, Curtis becomes new leader of high school team ... can Curtis ignite them to victory? {eye rolls}
From beginning to end, this film is LITTERED with familiarities: the worrisome mom who has to work 2 jobs to get by; the selfish father who's left the family ... I wonder if he'll show up for the big, last game? {eye rolls}; the slovenly uncle who's trying to get his act together; the lazy town lay-abouts who watch the all the school football games; the bitchy girls making fun of Jasmine at lunchtime; the slowww-motion football sequences; the by-the-numbers sports drama musical score; the will-they-win(?) climactic game; the amber-tinted cinematography; I could go on & on.
The reasons why I don't recommend this film (personally) is because it ultimately failed to inspire me. I also am not wild about football. And the story becomes increasingly uninteresting. You always want a crescendo with this type of film. But that said, it 'will' have its supporters. I particularly enjoyed one segment where Curtis uses large blow-up photos of Beyonce, Foxy Brown, & Tyra Banks as Jasmine's throwing targets. 'The Longshots' has good intentions & is a sweet-natured story. But Jasmine Plummer deserved a much stronger film to praise her "true story".
'The Longshots' tells the true story (aren't they all?) of Jasmine Plummer (Palmer) who, at age 11, became the 1st female to play in the Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-yr. history. Down-on-his-luck, drunk slob, Curtis Plummer (Ice Cube) recalls the days when he was the star football player for his Minden Illinois high school team. Asked to babysit his niece Jasmine (who aspires to be a model one day), Curtis hopes to bring her to life by turning her into the new quarterback of the school team; in doing so, he'd also start to get 'his' life back in order (blah, blah, blah). As fate would have it, Curtis becomes new leader of high school team ... can Curtis ignite them to victory? {eye rolls}
From beginning to end, this film is LITTERED with familiarities: the worrisome mom who has to work 2 jobs to get by; the selfish father who's left the family ... I wonder if he'll show up for the big, last game? {eye rolls}; the slovenly uncle who's trying to get his act together; the lazy town lay-abouts who watch the all the school football games; the bitchy girls making fun of Jasmine at lunchtime; the slowww-motion football sequences; the by-the-numbers sports drama musical score; the will-they-win(?) climactic game; the amber-tinted cinematography; I could go on & on.
The reasons why I don't recommend this film (personally) is because it ultimately failed to inspire me. I also am not wild about football. And the story becomes increasingly uninteresting. You always want a crescendo with this type of film. But that said, it 'will' have its supporters. I particularly enjoyed one segment where Curtis uses large blow-up photos of Beyonce, Foxy Brown, & Tyra Banks as Jasmine's throwing targets. 'The Longshots' has good intentions & is a sweet-natured story. But Jasmine Plummer deserved a much stronger film to praise her "true story".