The Longshots (DVD)

You can call me what you want, but I’m a sucker for movies like this. I’ve grown up enjoying films such as Hoosiers, The Mighty Ducks, Rudy and Remember the Titans, and this movie is no exception to that rule. Yes its full of clichés and sure it borrows from many other films in its genre, but so what? The Longshots does exactly what it sets out to do. It makes you feel good and its a family feature that everyone can enjoy.

What impressed me the most about The Longshots was the excellent acting and directing of the film. The characters are very calm and collected, and I found everyone to be very likable. Ice Cube is definitely the star of the film playing the role of a dead beat uncle who finds the right path through the love of his niece Jasmine, played by Keke Palmer (Akeelah and the Bee). Cube makes for a surprisingly lovable character and role model that children can look up to.

Director Fred Durst, (yes, the dude from Limp Bizkit) does a fantastic job directing his first feature film and I’m actually surprised he did so well. The pacing was good, the storyline was easy to follow, and the length of the film was just right.

Overall, this film it just a great family feature. Its kid friendly and inspiring as well as uplifting. Although this film will never win any awards, its right up there with the other movies in its genre and teaches us life long lessons which most of us seem to take for granted.

Synopsis:

Based on a true story, a poor Illinois town comes together behind the local Pop Warner football team and their unlikely quarterback, Jasmine Plummer, the first female in Pop Warner football history. Under the tutelage of her uncle Curtis, a former high school football star, Jasmine leads her team, the Harvey Colts, to the Pop Warner Super Bowl and inspires the town of Wallace to reclaim some of its former glory.