(L to R) Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “2 J’s” Jennings, Mike Epps as Kareem and Tika Sumpter as Cherise in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Jacob Kemp. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Premiering on Prime Video January 26th, ‘The Underdoggs’ is essentially an attempt to build an R-rated, foul-mouthed comedy that borrows heavily from ‘The Mighty Ducks’ around Snoop Dogg.
But is it a format that works in a sphere where such comedies aren’t as prevalent (even with the success of movies such as ‘Joy Ride’ last year)? And even with a jokey disclaimer at the start that advises you to chill about the language because children aren’t supposed to watch anyway, does that justify this essentially being a kids’ underdog sports movie with liberal use of the F-word?
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Does ‘The Underdoggs’ Find the Comedy End Zone?
(L to R) Tika Sumpter as Cherise and Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “2 J’s” Jennings in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Wilford Harewood. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
If you’ve watched any of the ‘Mighty Ducks’ movies (or something in its underdog sports comedy genre), you’ll know instantly what you’re in for here, albeit with a joint-toking, f-bomb-dropping Snoop Dogg at its core.
In its defense, ‘The Underdoggs’ does fully nod towards where it is “drawing inspiration” (wholeheartedly stealing) from, with all sorts of ‘Mighty Ducks’ references, but the biggest question here is whether that’s enough to justify the lackluster other jokes.
‘The Underdoggs’: Script and Direction
(L to R) Director Charles Stone III, actor Adan James Carillo, actor Jonigan Booth, actor Caleb CM Dixon, and actor Kylah Davila on the set of ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Jacob Kemp. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Written by Isaac Schamis and Danny Segal from a pitch by Snoop and Constance Schwartz-Morini, ‘The Underdoggs’ offers little in the way of surprises beyond the main character. If you’ve seen any movie in this genre, the various stories and plot turns are not going to provide much that is fresh.
The trick to scripting something like this finding something new to say, and when you have a basic structure that is as well-used as this one, that’s an even bigger hurdle. It’s not one that ‘The Underdoggs’ always manages.
As per usual, we have an arrogant, dismissive former sports star who unwillingly takes on coaching a rag-tag group of kids. Making the Jaycen character played by Snoop such an unlikeable moron at first is certainly a choice, though not one that naturally fits with his usual style.
(L to R) Tika Sumpter as Cherise, Jonigan Booth as Tre and Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Wilford Harewood. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
There’s also usually a female lead so that the main character has a romantic target, and here ‘The Underdoggs’ does at least layer in some extra interest by having the Cherise character (played by Tika Sumpter) be an old flame –– but only that can do so much.
As for the kids, they’re the usual collection of bratty, nerdy or shy types, with little touches such as one being obsessed with ‘Game of Thrones’ or one being ashamed of his trailer park home. They feel interesting, but hardly revelatory.
On the directing side, Charles Stone III (a veteran of movies such as ‘Drumline’, ‘Mr. 3000’ and more recent underdogs sports comedy ‘Uncle Drew’ wrangles his cast entertainingly enough and stages the games in watchable ways. It doesn’t need flashy cinematography, but it certainly doesn’t exactly push any visual boundaries.
‘The Underdoggs’: Performances
Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Wilford Harewood. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Snoop is obviously the focus here, and as mentioned his Jaycen is something of a challenge for the usually chilled-out performer. No one would accuse him of being an Oscar-caliber actor, but he certainly does his best to bring out the sense of frustration and entitlement in the character. And yes, given that the plot revolves around him being on court-ordered community service, there is a naturally crack about getting “Martha Stewart treatment”, a sly wink towards Snoop’s real life, unlikely friend.
But he certainly does his best to carry the film, even stretching at times during more emotional moments (such as with one of the more troubled kids or a reconnection with his old coach, played by an underused George Lopez).
Mike Epps as Kareem in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Wilford Harewood. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The less said about his interplay with Mike Epps’ Kareem, an old acquaintance of Jaycen who is re-introduced into his life by trying to carjack him, the better. Epps is mostly on farcical autopilot here, making a fool of himself, but rarely providing much in the way of real comedy value.
Tika Sumpter, meanwhile, is somewhat locked into the old-flame-new-potential-love-interest role, saddled also with a predictable single mom storyline. Unless looking disapproving at Snoop, she’s largely sidelined.
‘The Underdoggs’: Final Thoughts
Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Wilford Harewood. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
How much you enjoy the movie might well depend on your level of Snoop Dogg fandom? Can’t get enough of his laidback style –– albeit channeled here through a sweary, arrogant, foolish main character who essential goes through a Scrooge-like revelation and changes his ways (a bit) –– then you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.
Looking for a foul-mouthed comedy that wears its R-rating like a badge of honor? This could be one to watch. But like other recent Prime Video offerings, it all comes across as a budget version of better comedies.
It scores on some levels, but on many others, it fumbles.
‘The Underdoggs’ receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.
“From blunts to runts.”
Jaycen ‘Two Js’ Jennings is a washed-up former pro football star who has hit rock bottom. When he is sentenced to do community service coaching the Underdoggs, an… Read the Plot
What is the plot of ‘The Underdoggs’?
Former NFL player Jaycen Jennings (Snoop Dogg) agrees to coach a youth football team to avoid going to prison, as he tries to relaunch his career.
Who is in the cast of ‘The Underdoggs’?
(L to R) Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “2 J’s” Jennings and Mike Epps as Kareem in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Jacob Kemp. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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