Champions Review: Hits Just the Right Shots! 🏀

Basketball movies have always found a way into the hearts of audiences, whether that be Hoosiers, Coach Carter, and even Like Mike, to name a few. They usually either hit us with dramatic tension or fun filled comedy that is hard to resist. Champions, directed by Robert Farrelly, follows Marcus (Woody Harrelson), a minor-league basketball coach that is forced to forgo 90 days of community service coaching individuals with intellectual disabilities after he is arrested for drunk driving. Even though the film isn’t able to hit all of its three point shots, it is a harmless good time with enough laughs and heart to make it worthwhile.

At its core, Champions is an enjoyable family film featuring a cast of charming young actors. The movie does a good job of showing the chemistry between them while also giving each one the opportunity to shine on their own. The movie is at its highest when the young actors are on screen together and the basketball elements are in full swing. Woody Harrelson’s storyline was a little underdeveloped and would have benefitted from the script having better character development on his part.

His love life storyline fell a little flat and using its runtime to focus more on his relationship with the basketball team would have made the film score higher. Champions’ alternative focus on the fulfilling lives the players live as opposed to focusing on what they lack is one of the highpoints of the movie. It gave audiences a different perspective on the lives of those with intellectual disabilities and the joys of friendship and community.

As someone who loves films full of drama and tension, it was refreshing to go to the movies and just be entertained in a comforting way. The film always has its heart in the right place and the energy in the film is a constant joy. Champions will be released on March 10 for anyone who wants to go see a feel-good film and to leave the theater with a full heart.

‘Champions (2023)’ Rating – 3/5

Follow Steph (the Author) on Socials
Instagram – @cinemasteph_7
Twitter – @Stephanie23_23


Robert Arcidiacono

Rob is a 20-year old film lover living in the Big Apple. He fell in love with films at the age of 10 and hopes to be a film writer someday.

Recent Posts

Captain America: Brave New World Review – Faltering Future!

This is a “brave new world” of Marvel Cinematic Universe that Kevin Feige is trying… Read More

3 days ago

Sundance 2025 Review: “Sorry, Baby”

For the first 22 years of our lives we are told constantly to enjoy our… Read More

1 week ago

Realm of Shadows Review: An Ambitious Blend of Fantasy and Horror!

Realm of Shadows dives deep into dark fantasy horror, blending multiple supernatural tales into a… Read More

1 week ago

The 4 Points Review: A Gritty Crime Drama!

Los Angeles is a city of divisions—between wealth and poverty, law and crime, past and… Read More

2 weeks ago

War and Justice Review: An Unprecedented Look Inside the ICC!

The International Criminal Court (ICC) stands as a crucial institution in the pursuit of justice,… Read More

2 weeks ago

We use cookies, just to track visits to our website, we store no personal details.