Movie Review: "The Underdoggs"- A Comedic and Inspirational Journey with Snoop Dogg

The Underdoggs (2024)

"The Underdoggs," directed by Charles Stone III, is a heartwarming and inspirational movie that tells the story of Jaycen "Two Js" Jennings, played by Snoop Dogg. He is a washed-up ex-professional football star who has hit rock bottom. When Jaycen is sentenced to community service coaching the Underdoggs, an unruly pee-wee football team in his hometown of Long Beach, California, he sees it as an opportunity to rebuild his public image and turn his life around.

The film features a talented cast, including Tika Sumpter, Mike Epps, Kal Penn, George Lopez, and Kandi Burruss, alongside young actors like Jonigan Booth, Adan James Carrillo, Alexander Michael Gordon, Kylah Davilla, and Shamori Washington. Together, they bring to life a heartwarming story about family, friendship, and chasing your dreams.

It's noteworthy that the young actors in The Underdoggs are incredibly talented. Jonigan Booth, Adan James Carrillo, Alexander Michael Gordon, Kylah Davilla, and Shamori Washington all delivered outstanding performances in their first major film. These young stars are a testament to the bright future of Hollywood.

During a press conference moderated by Danielle Young, they shared some of their favorite moments on set, including having rap battles with Snoop Dogg. Snoop, being the playful character he is, had to show the young stars who was boss. "They failed," he said jokingly. "But like I said, I'm a big kid, and I'm loving this right here. This just feels so good. It feels like I'm back in school again. Like, I had so much fun working with y'all. That's what y'all don't know. Like I had more fun with y'all than y'all had with me."

(L to R) Snoop Dogg as Jaycen "Two Js" Jennings in director Charles Stone III’s THE UNDERDOGGS.

When Danielle Young asked the cast if they considered the film a "black film," Tika Sumpter had an interesting response. "I have a friend who's a writer who is not part of the culture or anything like that," she said. "He's like, 'Oh, it reminds me of the Bad News Bears.' And I was like, 'Exactly. Except with more curse words.' And it's great. And he's like, 'Yeah, everybody should watch that.' You know, it wasn't like a thing, right?"

Snoop Dogg also weighed in, saying, "I just think when they say that, when they start saying it's a black movie, that's just trying to limit it, trying to put it to a certain fanbase. So when they do things like that and discredit the fact that it's a great picture with great actors and great people, no matter what walks of life they come from, because everybody in the movie is not black. Everybody that worked on the movie is not black. But the people who are the leads in certain parts are black, but that doesn't discredit any and everybody. So, I feel like it should just be looked at as a great piece of work, like any other project that's not black. So stop trying to put us low and say it's a black movie and just say it's a great movie with a couple of black people in it."

(L to R) Tika Sumpter, Jonigan Booth, and Snoop Dogg in director Charles Stone III’s THE UNDERDOGGS.

As the story of "The Underdoggs" unfolded, it was initially uncomfortable to watch the kids use a lot of profanity. However, as the movie progressed, it was no longer a concern. The film was an enjoyable and unpredictable watch, filled with gut-busting laughter. Despite the initial discomfort, the heartwarming message about hope and resilience made the movie fulfilling and worth watching.

Overall, "The Underdoggs" is a movie that offers something for everyone. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a fan of redemption stories, or simply someone who appreciates a good comedy, this movie is a must-see. Its heartwarming message of hope and resilience will leave a lasting impact on audiences. As Snoop Dogg says, "Giving back to the community through football has taught me so many invaluable life lessons that I've been able to share with kids in situations similar to the way I grew up. Despite the R-rating, there are a lot of lessons about life and family values, so my hope is that this movie sheds light on the realities that kids and adults face in the hood and within the complex world of football."

So mark your calendars for the exclusive release of "The Underdoggs" on Prime Video on January 26th, and prepare to be inspired and uplifted by this unforgettable journey with Jaycen and the Underdoggs.

THAheadline Score (THAscore): 9/10

Trailer Below: