American Underdog 4K 2021 Ultra HD 2160p

Story Movie

The story of the life and career of professional soccer player Kurt Warner.

Review 4K Movie

I am only 4 years younger than Kurt Warner. And saw the path of which caused one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in American football history. I recall watching him zip a football so fast the camera couldn't follow. Corny as it may sound, I saw a guy who was desperate to win. Throughout the championship season, I kept hearing how in arena football there are no first downs. That this training embedded in Warner caused a massive shift in how we consume the sport. That the "west coast offense" overtook the ground and pound of previous years. His level of play stood out. It is also a credit to head coach Dick Vermeil (played here by Dennis Quaid) allowed this style of play to take over. Never mind the ball buster which was offensive coordinator Mike Martz (whom I kept thinking what a disaster of a head coach he was).

That said, the movie itself is schmaltzy and corny. Two things I love in movies. There is nothing more sickening than when filmmakers today have to let their sucky life overpower their films. Life sucks for them, therefore, they need to express that suckiness onto you. Not this film. This movie is a very safe movie. Nothing cruel or hateful about it. Only made with a good heart.

Now, I also recall Kurt Warner himself being a complete square. I can clearly recall how corny he was with his Christian beliefs. Very distinct in that you never saw a player more demonstrative of his faith. I thought "Man, can this guy get any more lame" This is as a result of the early 2000's. Now, as an adult I can see it was what righted his ship. As "lame" as Warner was, he gained the respect of everyone who ever doubted him.

It's hard to get a gauge on how true this story really is. Almost seems phony. But the way actor Zachary Levi plays the man shows me the complexity of his situation. The climb to get to the top came with having a good heart. A true heart. And that is infinitely more respectable than fictional Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) in "Any Given Sunday."

As most have mentioned there is little football in this movie. True. The true underdog part is paralleled with his girlfriend/future wife Brenda's (Anna Pacquin) son who is blind. The inspiration there is that he overcomes his malady to do the things that everyone doubts in him. The son doesn't know what he doesn't know and therefore presses forward in his own pursuits to do things in life a blind person cannot. It wouldn't surprise me if this observation isn't made in the book this movie is based on.

Kurt Warner does deserve a film. Oftentimes we are saddled with biopics that seem to fall short of interest. I believe that is why most of the focus isn't on the football but on life. Because most won't know or care about the importance of professional football. It wasn't the football that Kurt hung his life on. That was pure icing on the cake. He overcame ageism to become one of the best in what he wanted to do. To many of us, this will tell you to get something you want to do and pursue it with all your heart. And, by the way, be sure to have someone to share it with. Because otherwise that victory is hollow.

A wonderful message to hang a movie on.

Those of you who are opposed to Christian messages may be turned off by the vanilla content. There are no guns being fired, no drug or alcohol abuse. It's wholesome as Hell. They are just simple Iowa natives who overcame adversity to prove to the "big city folk" country folk are talented as well (this is made very clear, Kurt's adverse reaction to country music).

It is a nice simple story about simple people.

Very nicely made flick.