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Ms. Fenris Watches "The Mighty Ducks"
5 years ago
When it comes to sports movies, there is a... ...mmm, how shall one say... A 'formula' of sorts?
Now, I could go into the nuances of that formula in its entirety, but instead I'd like to focus on one aspect of that formula. Sure, I know you could point out deviations left and right, but BASICALLY, in every sports movie, there are only THREE sports teams.
First, there's our protagonists, the lovable underdogs. They start off at the bottom, they're losers, but they work their way up to become champions.
Then of course there's 'Team Evil'. They're the bad guy team, the ones who are on top, the final champions to beat.
BUT, did you know about a third team that shows up in sports movies every so often? A little team called 'The Jerkass' team?
The jerkass team are the first opponents of the good guys. Their job is to provide the initial obstacle to overcome. They're hardly top tier material, but they're certainly tougher than our good guys. They're rude to the good guys, they sneer at them, they make fun of them, and for the first couple innings they have our good guys beat.
But then, miraculously, something happens (they decide to put in the kid with the rubber arm, they give the dog a chance, the angels show up, etc) and the good guys, against all odds, win! They've found what they need to triumph! Proceed with the 'victory montage', of the good guys beating one team after another as they rise through the ranks.
The Mighty Ducks is an interesting movie in that it made the bold choice NOT to have 'the spunky underdogs' as their protagonist team, but instead focused on "the Jerkass Team" as their main heroes. It has the uniqueness not to have its heroes be likable at all. You might hope "Well, they're a little rough around the edges, but with time their plight wins you over!" BUt instead, rather, you come to dislike them MORE as the movie goes on as they resort to underhanded methods to achieve their goals. You actively begin to root AGAINST them, and wish them nothing but failure for their shitty behavior.
And, most startling of all, if you watched 'The Mighty Ducks' in a 'kids sports movie marathon', you experience the mind-boggling sensation of realizing that, out of everything you watched, "Angels in the Outfield" was actually the one with the most nuance and heart. ...What a fuckin' surprise THAT was.
Now, I could go into the nuances of that formula in its entirety, but instead I'd like to focus on one aspect of that formula. Sure, I know you could point out deviations left and right, but BASICALLY, in every sports movie, there are only THREE sports teams.
First, there's our protagonists, the lovable underdogs. They start off at the bottom, they're losers, but they work their way up to become champions.
Then of course there's 'Team Evil'. They're the bad guy team, the ones who are on top, the final champions to beat.
BUT, did you know about a third team that shows up in sports movies every so often? A little team called 'The Jerkass' team?
The jerkass team are the first opponents of the good guys. Their job is to provide the initial obstacle to overcome. They're hardly top tier material, but they're certainly tougher than our good guys. They're rude to the good guys, they sneer at them, they make fun of them, and for the first couple innings they have our good guys beat.
But then, miraculously, something happens (they decide to put in the kid with the rubber arm, they give the dog a chance, the angels show up, etc) and the good guys, against all odds, win! They've found what they need to triumph! Proceed with the 'victory montage', of the good guys beating one team after another as they rise through the ranks.
The Mighty Ducks is an interesting movie in that it made the bold choice NOT to have 'the spunky underdogs' as their protagonist team, but instead focused on "the Jerkass Team" as their main heroes. It has the uniqueness not to have its heroes be likable at all. You might hope "Well, they're a little rough around the edges, but with time their plight wins you over!" BUt instead, rather, you come to dislike them MORE as the movie goes on as they resort to underhanded methods to achieve their goals. You actively begin to root AGAINST them, and wish them nothing but failure for their shitty behavior.
And, most startling of all, if you watched 'The Mighty Ducks' in a 'kids sports movie marathon', you experience the mind-boggling sensation of realizing that, out of everything you watched, "Angels in the Outfield" was actually the one with the most nuance and heart. ...What a fuckin' surprise THAT was.
They fight villains with hockey themed weapons. The 90's were a wild time...
Also, I like Angels in the Outfield.
There's also Ladybugs and Little Giants. The original formula movie AFAIK is Bad News Bears.