Champions (2023) User Reviews

As a retired SPED teacher, loved the realness!

[aumufan24 · 8/10 · 14 March 2023]

As my title states, I am a retired high school SPED teacher and I was also a Special Olympics coach for several years in different sports. When I read an interview with Woody Harrelson about this movie, I was intrigued to see it because I wanted to see how Hollywood would portray these very real people with intellectual disabilities.

While there are certainly and understandably elements of Hollywood in this movie, the realness of the Friends team was very authentic. And all throughout the movie it's the authenticity of the Friends team that makes this such an enjoyable movie. Personally, I thought it was just a bit too long, but that aside, I just kept saying to myself, "Yes, that is exactly what probably would happen in that situation." The absolute clincher of this was at the very end of the championship game and the team's reaction to the final shot. I promise you, that was very realistic. I've seen that play out in my classroom and in the field or court dozens of times. So, I hope many will watch this movie and enjoy these folks for who they really are, warts and all. Isn't that really what we all want?

Feel Good at its best

[milts-22133 · 8/10 · 10 March 2023]

Comedy, Drama, Heart Warming. This film ticks all the boxes. Has you laughing, has you cheering, has you annoyed and gets you gripped.

Managed to get to an advance screening of this with my 11 year old boy and we were both unsure of what we was about to watch, was it a comedy, was it an underdog story, was it a drama, was it a sports film and we were both amazed at what was a well spent hour and half. It was all of the above. We laughed, we teared up, we were engrossed in it all. The acting is superb the jokes are both laugh out loud and chuckle to yourself. You love the characters at times you hate them at times and you enjoy the ride.

It's not going to win any Oscars and it's not going to get rave reviews but if you want to escape from the troubles of life and have a damn good time you can't go wrong with seeing this.

Oh, and Woody plays the role perfectly.

A sweet film

[Padreviews · 7/10 · 10 March 2023]

Got to see this on an early limited screening

Had no idea what to expect

Liked it - it's a sweet film with a unique ending - no spoilers here as always but it left you with a really warm feeling and faith in human kind

If I was to compare it to another film it's a bit like Eddie the Eagle or Cool Runnings - with a touch of Dodge Ball - it's a story of the underdog.

It's a human story of triumph over adversity but also a story of people realising what's in their soul and what really is success - success comes in many forms

Acting was top notch , Woody Harrelson on form as always and backed up by Kaitlin Olson playing a strong female role who's real life husband is a kind of Ted Lasso character by co owning with Ryan Reynolds a minor league UK football ( soccer ) team so there's a bit of art imitating life here !

Seeing the team who are ... I never know the correct pc term this week ... a team of 'special needs' really warms your heart and it's their individual characters and styles that really draw you in - it's a truly lovely story - it's directed by 1/2 of the Farrelly brother so the humour is there too , I haven't seen the original Spanish / Saudi film but I'd love to see it now .

It's not perfect but it's really good and it's a feel good film that leaves you with a warm feeling .

The fact that the coach wasn't there voluntarily but you can see that the experience changed him makes you feel good and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

A sweet film

Pad. A 7/10.

Enjoyable and beautiful movie...

[paul_haakonsen · 7/10 · 31 March 2023]

Now, when I sat down to watch the 2023 movie "Champions" from director Bobby Farrelly, I was sort of expecting that I would be in for a good movie. Why? Well, the movie's synopsis just has that to it, the concept of the storyline here it just is something that you can't help to take to heart.

And I will say that writers Mark Rizzo, Javier Fesser and David Marqués didn't disappoint. The script for the movie was every bit as entertaining as it was heartwarming and beautiful. I was genuinely entertained by this movie from start to end. Sure, it was predictable, but the storyline just worked on many levels.

And the cast ensemble in the movie was good. Of course I was familiar with the likes of Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson, Cheech Marin and Ernie Hudson. But the movie definitely had a lot of other good acting performances to it. All members of The Friends basketball team here were putting on some rather real and lovable performances.

If you can't enjoy a movie such as "Champions", then I don't really know what to say. I warmly recommend you to watch "Champions", especially if you enjoy a movie that sinks right in and sits with you for some time. This is definitely a feel-good movie.

My rating of "Champions" lands on a well-deserved seven out of ten stars.

Enjoyable heart warming tale of Connection

[tm-sheehan · 7/10 · 12 March 2023]

My Review-Champions My Rating. 7:10

Champions was a really pleasant surprise and very entertaining as I know nothing about basket ball beyond the Harlem Globetrotters and that catchy tune.

It's a familiar plot about a former disgraced baseball coach Marcus beautifully cast with Woody Harrelson in the lead resurrecting his career and self esteem.

Marcus after being charged with a drink driving charge is assigned to community service coaching a team of intellectually disadvantaged players.

Coach Marcus soon realises that this team simply called The Friends shows promise and his aloof rough tough exterior and ego soon begins to thaw .

Especially when the infectious personalities and warmth of this team simply named The Friends convinces him to take them further perhaps even to Special Olympic status .

Marcus also embarks on a casual romantic interest in one of the team members Johnny's sister Alex played delightfully by Kaitlin Olson .

This relationship contributes to both Alex and Marcus having to face some soul searching truths about each other and the direction their lives are heading .

Apart from Woody Harrelson and Kaitlin Olsen the most enjoyable aspect of this movie are the team members a talented group of young intellectually challenged young people.

Standout performance by Madison Tevlin as the feisty female member Cosentino , Kevin Iannucci as Johnny the brother of Alex a wisecracking teen who is adored and protected by his sister.

Also Matt Cook as Sonny who shows Marcus the value of friendship and Casey Metcalfe as Marlon the autistic savant who can rattle of amazing facts about any subject to the amazement of Marcus.

This is a delightful if predictable story of hope and connection adapted from a 2018 Spanish film titled Campeones which I must try and track down the screenplay writers and director Bobby Farrelly have produced a very entertaining and thoughtful insight into the world of sport for intellectually disadvantaged people of all ages .

Special powers rather than special needs

[gazmar62 · 7/10 · 10 March 2023]

It's a remake of Spanish film Campeones (2018), the Americanisation is possibly quite an easy cross over though due to the universal nature of the characters.

Making movies about people that are generally misunderstood can be difficult at the best of times so here the bunch of mentally challenged basketball players has a fine line to tread, one slip and its good message can be lost or maligned, I must admit I didn't think Bobby Farrelly would make such a good job of it.

Woody Harrelson plays Marcus, a minor league basketball coach but following a drunk driving charge he is ordered to do 90 days community service with a 'special' basketball team.

Coaching a misfit bunch of sportsmen isn't exactly new, here the intellectually challenged basketball team with dreams of making the special Olympics brings in a social message that hasn't been explored very much.

Marcus is a single man, a seasoned and good coach for ball skills but his lack of people skills has held him back, understanding his players is more important than ever, each player has his/her own disability, due to Down's Syndrome or brain injury for example, each player also has special abilities and Marcus is the one with learning difficulties of how to connect with them and people in general. With their new coach the 'Friends' basketball team go from strength to strength and make their way up the regional and national championship league, as they all progress, Marcus learns a lot about himself and also falls in love with the sister of one of the team.

The supporting cast add the glue that holds it all together making it heartwarming and a fun journey of discovery for all, the humour works well and didn't seem exploitative, or overly sentimental , it's more feel good than feel sorry, a worthwhile watch.

Warm, fun, uplifting, inspiring, charming (if unoriginal) sports dramedy

[danieljfarthing · 7/10 · 30 March 2023]

Veteran director Bobby Farrelly's warm basketball dramedy "Champions" (remaking Spain's 2018 "Campeones") twists an over-used theme to charming effect. Thru impersonal surliness coach Woody Harrelson's career's slumped to being Ernie Hudson's assistant at a minor Iowa team - which he's fired as, then arrested, then forced via community service to coach Cheech Marin's team of learning disabled misfits inc Kevin Iannucci, Madison Tevlin (hilarious) & James Day Keith. Clichés of course ensue, but Mark Rizzo's writing blends them in well, and support from the likes of Kaitlin Olson (so good) & Matt Cook add fine polish. It's fun, uplifting and inspiring.

A straightforward story, well told.

[reaperbob · 7/10 · 12 March 2023]

I wasn't sure what I was in for. Had to kill off a few hours before my tickets to Scream, so I figured I'd get tickets to this while I waited. I wasn't disappointed. It didn't need big twists, just a good clean story, with every character living their niche. It delivered on that.

Straightforward film, with Harrelson's character very easy to predict, and easy to dislike (in a good way) at times. The movie had a successful Chekovs gun in Showtime's big moment, and followed the storyboard plotline seamlessly. Having seen it, I can see myself stopping scrolling through cable if I see it listed there just to casually watch it through again.

An absolute delight!

[TDKBestFilmEever · 9/10 · 10 March 2023]

Despite mixed reviews, I absolutely loved this. What a delight. Woody is excellent in the lead and the film is frequently funny and charming.

It really shouldn't have been 2 hours in length and it won't be everyone's kind of humour, but it was a great cinema experience, with the entire audience laughing throughout.

Maybe I'm biased. As a huge NBA fan I liked all the basketball references and as a huge Always sunny fan, I loved seeing sweet Dee on the big screen.

But either way I think everyone should give this film a chance. This is a real crowd pleaser and one of my favourite films of 2023 so far.

Heartwarming

[stevendbeard · 7/10 · 12 March 2023]

I saw Champions, starring Woody Harrelson-Triangle of Sadness, Solo: A Star Wars Story; Kaitlin Olson-It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia_tv, Vacation_2015; Ernie Hudson-Quantum Leap_tv, Grace and Frankie_tv and Cheech Marin-Shotgun Wedding, From Dusk Till Dawn.

This is a feel good movie that is based on a 2018 Spanish film called Campeones. Woody plays an assistant coach to Ernie for a basketball team and Woody has anger issues. When Woody gets into trouble-a DUI hitting a police car-he gets a 90 day sentence of community service, which consists of being a coach for kids with intellectual disabilities. All the kids are played by real kids with disabilities. Kaitlin is the big sister of one of the kids that gets romantically involved with Woody and Cheech runs the center Woody is working at and also keeps an eye on Woody during his parole. It's a heartwarming story with the usual buttons pushed but not too maudlin, so you hardly notice.

It's rated PG-13 for language and sexual content-no nudity-and has a running time of 2 hours & 3 minutes.

I enjoyed it and it is a good one to stream.

Great feel good film

[masonsaul · 8/10 · 14 March 2023]

Champions follows the tried and tested formula for most underdog sports movies, offering a nice reminder of how fun and enjoyable it is to watch a great feel good film that's jokes mostly land and uses it's accessible nature to inform and educate as well as entertain.

After a few years of supporting performances, it's great to see Woody Harrelson back in a lead role, flawed but still likeable and always charming. Kaitlin Olson thankfully isn't wasted and gets plenty of screen time and depth.

However, the films strongest aspect is the friends (and title characters) themselves, always a joy to watch and the film wisely gives them to time to shine on their own a few times, proving they're just as funny and talented.

Robert Farrelly swaps genres just as well as his brother did with 2018's Green Book, balancing the humour and heartfelt moments really well, keeping the film moving at a nice place with a fair few montages and plenty of needle drops (maybe too many) to make it more enjoyable.

"I have Down Syndrome, I'm not deaf." Cosentino

[TxMike · 18 May 2023]

A very warm, smaller movie about a group of rag-tag basketball players with various intellectual and physical challenges. By strange luck they get a recent former professional basketball coach who helps them not only learn how to play better but also to have pride in their "championship" accomplishes, even if they never actually win a championship. My favorite was Madison Tevlin as Cosentino, a fiery character that can motivate the guys when needed.

Woody Harrelson is the professional coach, he is very good but gets fired as the movie starts. Seems he is a bit too insistent towards the head coach. Then he unwisely starts to drive home with a few too many beers in him, crashes into a parked police car, and has to go before the lady judge who detests drunk drivers. He will either get 18 months in jail, or do 90 days of community service. Coaching the local basketball team made up of special needs individuals. Easy choice, given the two alternatives.

The first 30 minutes or so are hard to get through, there is a lot of foolishness as the situation and characters are established. In fact my wife abandoned it about 30 minutes in, she said it was too slow. But it picked up right after that and the whole movie turned out to be quite entertaining with good messages.

At home , streaming on Peacock.

A sentimental film of underdogs with heart!

[blanbrn · 7/10 · 18 March 2023]

"Champions" is one of those films as you watch you feel entertained with fun and your touched along the way as you cheer for the forgotten. The movie set in cold and snowy Iowa has Marcus(Woody Harrelson) as a raw and go against the grain stubborn minor league basketball coach who has high hopes of bigger and better things, yet as his life is derailed with a DUI. So his punishment is community service which involves him coaching and mentoring a local basketball team, however this team is a group of kids with slow learning disabilities. The odds are stacked yet all grow and play hard along the way, as this along with Marcus's no strings attached one night stands with care free spirited colored bra wearing Alex(the sexy Kaitlin Olson) help keep Marcus afloat. Thru it all this is a wonderful sentimental film of the underdog that shows they play hard with love and determination as it's always not about winning or losing, but about learning life and love.

"Look at how accepting I am!"

[jasonsbainbridge · 5/10 · 14 July 2023]

This movie started out really strong for a cliche type of premise ya know?! Woody Harrelson can elevate any material really, the dude is a master of his craft.... Though this one gets a little lacklustre in execution once we are introduced to the friends basketball team.

They really play the whole concept dead on the nose, like "look at this group of intellectually challenged folks, here are all the regular quirks and behaviours you see in most people with those challenges and here are the challenges they face in their day to day life"... That's pretty much the entire movie.

There isn't much nuance in the way their day to day struggles are portrayed really, there's a boss who very openly mistreats an employee with Down's syndrome, there's a scene where an ignorant person calls the team the R word and coach reverts to violence to rectify that situation, there's a woman with Down's syndrome that thinks everyone is hitting on her and they just present that info in a very straightforward manner like "here ya go, this is indeed a movie".

Overall it was a decent movie but it lacked any layers whatsoever, they just hand you the information like an uninterested activist trying to raise awareness about global warming.

That's all.

Many joyful moments and smiles aplenty

[Rastas · 7/10 · 10 October 2023]

I watched this without explanation and expectation. I found the delightful cast with genuinely truthful moments that were surprising and not a comedy for comedies sake.

I would encourage you to give this a go and while it isn't high theatre, it has an authenticity that the casting and storyline gives!!

I enjoyed this far more than I expected that I would, and caught myself smiling widely and hoping for the best for all of the characters.

The blossoming relationships between the coach and all of the team are reasonably complex and wide range of intellectual disabilities give truth to the story.

One of the best special needs comedies I've ever seen.

[ohthatguyproductions · 7/10 · 12 May 2023]

My title sounds a little bad but its hard to clarify a title IN the title. This was a charmingly simple comedy that has actual autistic and special needs actors in it and they're fantastically funny. You never feel like you're making fun of them or their disabilities. They're just funny with what they do as who they are. So great to have a movie that allows them to be who they are and still act. Nothing ground-breaking but just a solid comedy that deserves a solid 7*. The movies could have focused on some dumb lesson like "he learns that they're people too" or nor does it set unrealistic expectations for them to achieve. This story is better than that. It feels more like that Keanu movie Hardball but with autistic kids. Solid watch.

A Very Fun and sweet family comedy

[shakeel-arshad · 6/10 · 10 March 2023]

I'm leaving this review as i was stunned no one had reviewed this yet, it's very much in the same vein as The Ringer which starred Johnny Knoxville and was a based on a true story and it was a comedy about the special olympics. Champions stars the ever excellent Woody Harrelson as an assistant coach for a basketball team, still stuck in the past and very un-pc he get's himself suspended from the team and get's caught drink driving, at his sentence in court the judge appoints him 3 months community service in which he needs to coach a special needs basketball team. The team are a close knit bunch and put coach through all the trials and tribulations that come in every movie like this, from trust to the coach having to come out his comfort zone in dealing with the teens, it's all in here but what this film does have in abundance is charm and wit, well written and acted this is a very fun film about the underdog coming good and a normal person learning to love, listen and care more for all that are around him, a good family friendly comedy that everyone will enjoy, a solid 6.5/10 for me.

Champions

[RobTheWatcher · 7/10 · 29 April 2023]

Champions was an actually very good sports comedy full of fun, laughter and feel good moments. I was actually very surprised it was that well produced and filmed. It had a a great story with a positive message and theme behind it. It follows a coach who has his own issues but through the love and support of this team, becomes a better person and coach. It was just a really good and heartfelt movie. It was also absolutely hilarious. It wasn't just politically correct humor either. It was absolutely crude and over the top humor. Highly recommend this movie to anyone. IMDb get rid of this character minimum.

Formulaic, but fun.

[jonathan_millet · 7/10 · 1 June 2023]

Formulaic story, but fun. The players are the real stars and it's a fun movie to watch. Each player has character development and the story moves at an easygoing pace. Wanted a positive, uplifting, fun movie, and this fit that. Some crude remarks, some sexual situations between the main character and his love interest (and references to the players being sexually active). Not a hard PG-13, though. I found it respectful of the players. Unlike many sports movies, there was actually a fair bit of basketball being played. My guess is the opposing team at the championship game is probably more typical of Special Olympics play. But come for the special spirits and uplifting attitudes.

A film with genuine heart and humor

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 8/10 · 24 March 2023]

Another sports comedy film I thought to myself, well, was I pleasantly surprised how enjoyable this little gem was. It actually had many laugh out loud moments, even a few rolling on the floor laughing moments, but it also had tons of heartwarming moments. Literally all casting and performances were spot on, and kudos to Harrelson for the excellent portrayal of his character. The directing was on point, but the writing had some dragged out scenes that made the 124 min runtime feel much longer. A faster pace and/or some scene trimming would've gone a long way, but nevertheless, the story had great cohesion and flow to it. If you're looking for a movie that will tear you up - both through humor and heart, this is a must see. It's a well deserved 8/10 from me.

Inspirational and worth your time

[jkb2012 · 7/10 · 19 October 2023]

As someone who Has a disability I personally found this movie very inspirand And Funny and full of heart And I also thought the cast was very good And if you Want film, that will make you smile and happy, this is a good one Also, it was nice to see a A film that is full of life And the message This film Tells is That anybody who has a disability can do anything. They set their mine too. And I personally thought that was fantastic. I also thought that the actors who played the players were very funny And inspiring I highly recommend this movie It is so worth your time Plus The end Credits are pretty funny, too.

I have autism and I loved this movie! I wish Bobby Farrelly would hire me!

[UniqueParticle · 9/10 · 16 March 2023]

My experience was mostly superb except had a slightly creepy guy named Ralph stare at me and talk to me afterwards that might've been innocent but was uncomfortable interaction I'm sure if it there wasn't cameras/public hallway something weird might've happened or maybe I'm entirely wrong I couldn't tell. Anyways about the movie absolutely loved it a lot especially the friends group I'd love to be part of they're group autistic folks don't have enough opportunities at least in my experience I don't. Champions is so wonderful sorry for my mixed review the movie is definitely spectacular very heartwarming and unique all around. Woody Harrelson is a gem of great being that deserves a lot of praise.

Predictable & Formulaic, But Sweet & Fun

[deepfrieddodo · 6/10 · 14 September 2023]

An enjoyable film following the formulaic rhetoric of a selfish guy being forced to help a group he wouldn't usually associate himself with. In this case, Harrelson, an ambitious basketball coach, is ordered by a court to manage a team of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Through a change in attitude, he discovers a kinship with this team, developing friendships and a more caring way of applying his trade.

It is very light-hearted, due to the lovable nature of the players, and ultimately a lot of fun. It, however, does not break any new ground, and every arc can be predicted easily, early on. Harrelson plays a familiar type, and does it well, Olson the romantic interest with more depth to her character, and the roster of players led well by Iannucci, each with their own defining characteristics and endearing quirks.

A very familiar plot, with no outstanding features, but equally still a fun remake enjoyable for all.

Heartwarming, but formulaic and dull.

[benjaminskylerhill · 4/10 · 15 March 2023]

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.

Light-hearted fun

[steiner-sam · 7/10 · 19 March 2023]

It's a comedic sports redemption movie set in modern Des Moines, Iowa. It follows a coach compelled to do community service after a DUI conviction.

Marcus Marokovich (Woody Harrelson) is an assistant coach on a minor league professional basketball team based in Des Moines. He has anger management issues, has been fired from several prominent college coaching positions, and is psychologically focused only on basketball with little regard for the lives of his players. After a run-in with the head coach, he gets drunk and hits a police car on the way home, and ends up sentenced either to prison or 90 days of community service coaching a team at a local center for intellectually-challenged youth.

The movie follows Marcus's work with the basketball team, composed of mostly boys and one girl who have a wide variety of challenges. Key players are Johnny (Kevin Iannucci), Marlon Casey Metcalfe), Darius (Joshua Felder), Showtime (Bradley Edens), and Cosentino (Madison Tevlin), who each bring differing limitations and relationships to Marcus. Johnny's 40-something older sister, Alex (Kaitlin Olson), is overly-protective and has met Marcus once before on a Tinder hookup. However, their relationship changes over time. The film climaxes at a regional Special Olympics tournament in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

For me, "Champions" was light-hearted fun. Some reviewers believe the film doesn't respect the intellectually challenged actors enough. On the contrary, their diversity is evident, and their keeping Marcus in his place is clear. "Champions" is not heavy drama, and Harrelson's character reminded me of his early role on the TV series "Cheers." Harrelson and Olson have good chemistry.