American Underdog2021

The problem, though, is that American Underdog doesn't ever really connect the modest virtuousness of Kurt and Brenda to Kurt's ascension as a quarterback.

This may be the best film I have seen this year. A film that is good for viewing multiple times for the many great moments and a soundtrack that delivers in those moments. Zach Levi delivers a heartwarming film in the Inspirational True Story category; telling the story of Kurt Warner's rise to football glory in the Rams Super Bowl win. The directing duo the Erwin Brothers directed a proverbial movie touchdown, complete with blue anamorphic lens flares (shot on anamorphic). I also liked their other inspirational sports film titled Woodlawn with the star of Rudy, Sean Astin. American Underdog is the hero's journey of football, to go from grocery store bagger after graduating college to NFL MVP. The portrayal of Hyvee supermarket was accurate, I can attest from living in Iowa. I can imagine Kurt Warner throwing a supermarket item for a superbowl touchdown. What a treat his co-workers must have had to see him toss things on the shelf, of course gently. Practice makes perfect as they say. What's incredible is that this story is all true. As The Great Han Solo would say "It's true, All of it." The casting of characters was terrific! There are many standouts, the blind son is one of them in an absolutely brilliant performance! Also very good were a couple standout scenes where a character may be facing difficulty and looking for mentorship, and the scene where Kurt throws an interception and the Coach Mike Martz portrayed by Chance Kelly delivers in my opinion the performance of a lifetime. The coach gets on the phone and tells Kurt that he knows he was ready to be quarterback, and he pushed him and challenged him because he had to know. And he said "you are ready". A nice touch to the film is the directors also mixed in some real video at the end of the Super Bowl win, and Kurt Warner's NFL Hall of Fame induction where Kurt points up with both hands and says "Thankyou Jesus." I give it 10 out of 10 stars, a very moving film.

American Underdog is a thoroughly predictable yet hugely entertaining sports biopic that is bound to please almost anyone who’s not a sourball cynic or a snarky critic.