For the least demanding moviegoers (and there's nothing wrong with that), Champions will prove to be a feel-good flick with endearing performances and sweet messages. And good for them. This is a film that has its heart in the right place, and I don't fault anyone involved in its making.
For me, though, I want to see something special and different. I want to see a story with power, subtlety, and something unique about it. And...this is not that at all.
Yeah, it's sweet and it made me smile quite a bit. But I felt just about nothing besides occasional mild amusement or charm. Because this story follows the sports-drama narrative to the absolute letter. No surprises to be had.
There is no visual style; the film is shot like a Lifetime channel original movie. No memorable images to be seen.
There is no subtlety. The film's antagonists are cartoonishly rude and the script's attempts to preach a message of tolerance and love for the disabled come across as patronising because there are almost no interactions these characters have that feel real.
It's cheesy, contrived, and very poorly edited, with a plurality of scenes lasting significantly longer than they should.
But if you don't demand anything besides a heartwarming, occasionally crass comedy, this is your movie.
For me, though, I want to see something special and different. I want to see a story with power, subtlety, and something unique about it. And...this is not that at all.
Yeah, it's sweet and it made me smile quite a bit. But I felt just about nothing besides occasional mild amusement or charm. Because this story follows the sports-drama narrative to the absolute letter. No surprises to be had.
There is no visual style; the film is shot like a Lifetime channel original movie. No memorable images to be seen.
There is no subtlety. The film's antagonists are cartoonishly rude and the script's attempts to preach a message of tolerance and love for the disabled come across as patronising because there are almost no interactions these characters have that feel real.
It's cheesy, contrived, and very poorly edited, with a plurality of scenes lasting significantly longer than they should.
But if you don't demand anything besides a heartwarming, occasionally crass comedy, this is your movie.