Good lessons are communicated about sports, and what ‘winning’ really means, in the animated film, Underdogs.
What’s the #1 reason why kids quit sports teams? Simple: It stops being fun. That’s why I strongly recommend viewing the animated film Underdogs. The American version of the film (produced originally in Argentina) stars the voices of Matthew Morrison, Ariana Grande, Bella Thorne, Shawn Mendes, and others.
Underdogs isn’t just entertainment. It teaches important lessons.
The movie opens with a narrator talking about how soccer was invented–cave dwellers kicking around a ball for fun. The film flashes forward to modern times where we see Jake (the father), Laura (the mother), and their son, who’s feeling sad. He hasn’t scored a goal all season and is contemplating leaving the team. So Jake tells him a story.
Jake in Underdogs (photo, Behind the Voice Actors)
Back when he was young, Jake worked as a busboy in a cafe. It was a typical day for him until he met Laura. Jake, feeling romantic, shows Laura one of his most prized possessions: a foosball table he constructed. He introduces Laura to the team, which includes Angry Mike, Rasta Chris, Igor ‘The Crushin Russian,’ Nino, Gino, Dr. Gregory Chan, Rico, Ziggy, and the team captain, Skipper. Jake also tells Laura he’s an excellent foosball player.
Then a guy named ‘Ace’ arrives. His hobbies include picking on nerds, the elderly, and (of course) Jake. Ace challenges Jake to a foosball game. Jake wins, 3 to 2. The defeat infuriates Ace, who makes a vow that he’ll make the town like him–whether it wants to or not.
Seven years pass and Jake is still it at–winning every foosball game he plays. But his streak (and happy life) is about to end.
Ace is back in town. It’s not the old Ace, either. It’s ‘champion’ Ace. Ace is a two-time World Cup champion and a 6- time International MVP. In the end, Ace takes Jake’s foosball table, captures Laura, humiliates Jake, and laughs in his face.
Ace in Underdogs (photo, Behind the Voice Actors)
Things get much better when Skipper, the team captain, devises a plan with Jake to save the town from the ravage of Ace. While Ace does his best to court Laura, Jake and the team come to their rescue. They save Laura from Ace and Jake challenges Ace to a rematch.
Ace accepts, but with a twist. This time the game will be field sport, soccer, not a board game, foosball. That switch makes a difference. Ace wins, but the town cheers for Jake.
Even though Jake loses, he played the game with sportsmanship. People are so impressed that they decide to build a new town in Jake’s honor and live there rather than remain in the town with Ace.
Underdogs is a great movie to watch–especially for young student-athletes. Good lessons are communicated about sports, and what ‘winning’ really means.
