Second Chances Bring Lessons, Laughter, and Legacy
Jaycen “2J’s” Jennings (Snoop Dogg), once a football star with fame bigger than his game, now finds himself on the sidelines of life after his career hits a full stop. In his desire to redeem his name, but forced into community service, Jennings takes on coaching a football team in his old neighborhood. Directed by Charles Stone III and written by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis, The Underdoggs stars Snoop Dogg, Tika Sumpter, Mike Epps, and Jonigan Booth.
‘The Underdoggs’
The Underdoggs brings back sports comedy to the big screen with a story about community, redemption, and second chances. The film follows Jaycen “2J’s” Jennings (Snoop Dogg), a once-great NFL player who lost almost everything at the cost of his arrogance and mistakes. After surviving a crash caused by his arrogant behavior, Jennings is sentenced to coach a misfit football team of kids in his old neighborhood. At first, Jennings saw it from the surface for exactly what it was, which is punishment. But what begins as a punishment soon becomes a journey of growth, as Jennings learns humility and purpose while helping the kids escape their circumstances. The Underdoggs has a storyline that ignites viewers’ emotions, due to the choices Jennings has to make: saving pride or saving people, and whether fame is more important than legacy.
Snoop playing the lead role is significant because it allows him to showcase to the audience that he’s more than a musician, as he blends humor and authenticity in his role in this film. His natural wit and cultural presence make The Underdoggs not only a comedy but a feel-good story and a message about redemption that resonates far beyond the football field. Cherise (Tika Sumpter), the mother of one of the players, serves as not only a grounding presence for her son and Jaycen but also a motivator and a mother for all. Her performance balances toughness with warmth, portraying a woman who refuses to be swayed by Jennings’ past glory but recognizes the strength in his effort to change. The young players, who are the true heart of the story, bring raw performances that reflect the underdog spirit that the film celebrates. MGM applied the traditional underdog sports formula by making the central figure not the kids, but a fallen football star tasked with leading them. It was a brilliant move for the film, as it gave the story spices of originality.
The Directors and The Cast
The Underdoggs was written by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis, and directed by Charles Stone III, the filmmaker known for Drumline and Paid in Full. Aside from Snoop Dogg and Tika Sumpter, The Underdoggs cast includes Andrew Schulz, Mike Epps, and George Lopez. The legendary rapper, Snoop, proves his ability to command the screen in a hilarious yet heartfelt role. His performance in The Underdoggs portrays a man torn between his ego and a strong desire for change. Snoop brought humor and sincerity to the role, with his natural charisma, which makes Jennings’ journey both believable and entertaining. Jennings’ relationship with the kids as a coach reflects mentorship, and his chemistry with Cherise adds an aspect of emotional core to The Underdoggs. Sumpter’s character, Cherise, is commanding, grounded, and authentic. Her role extends far beyond a mother to not only her son and the team, but also in pushing Jennings to become more than just his past mistakes. In one scene where Jennings is lashing out at the kids for losing a game, Cherise excludes him from the crowd to reveal to him the wrongdoings in his style of scolding the kids.
This is one of the scenes where Sumpter’s performance stands out.
Another standout character in The Underdoggs is Jonigan Booth (Trey), one of the kids in the film. Booth embodies the role of a boy with fire and arrogance, an identical character to Jennings. Trey appears to be tough on the outside, but beneath that exterior is a child who wants guidance and belief. His contribution to the film’s dialogue, even though it’s way above his age, is significant. Trey drives many of the film’s turning points with his swift comebacks and emotional moments with Jennings and his teammates. One of his most telling scenes is when he directly challenges Jennings’ authority during a game with the same words Jennings used to say, “I don’t owe nobody shit, I’m self-made.” This is a good element in The Underdoggs because it allows Jennings to understand how he made his peers feel when he said those words, paired with his arrogant behavior. The Underdoggs has an engaging dialogue that blends humor and emotions, thanks to Snoop’s delivery and facial expressions, and the kids’ humorous insults, which are significant.
The Framing
The Underdoggs find its rhythm not just in the narrative but in how it looks and sounds on screen. Cinematographer Mitchell Amundsen (Transporter 2) frames the film with contrast between Jennings’ past life and his new reality. The opening sequences with polished broad shots of Jennings’ flashy but empty lifestyle, bleak and distant, show how hollow his fame had become. Conversely, once he begins coaching the kids, the film moves to tighter handheld shots on the football field. This style adds an energetic feel to the kids’ practices and matches. The lighting is one element that supports the film’s message. The early scenes have heavy interiors that dim the light a little, highlighting his isolation. But the coaching aspect of his life is shown in brighter natural light, especially in daytime scenes, representing hope and renewal.
The music composer, Joseph Shirley, added soundtracks that tie the visual elements together. The use of hip-hop, West Coast rap, and playful beats drives the comedic tone while also paying homage to Snoop’s roots, giving The Underdoggs an authentic cultural setting. In emotional scenes, softer instrumentals are used in place of heavy beats, indicating Jennings’ personal improvement. One memorable moment comes when the team is having a pool party: the song that plays in this scene (“Friends and Family” by the Isley Brothers) is heartfelt and celebratory, which is exactly the purpose of the team’s gathering. This captures the spirit of victory in a way that resonates with the audience. The Underdoggs reinforces central themes of redemption, community, and second chances through its cinematography, lighting, and music. The choices behind the camera and music cross the border of background details. The choices actively support the emotional aspect of the storyline, turning a straightforward sports comedy into something more vibrant and emotionally relatable.
In The End
The Underdoggs mixes a relatable story with marvelous acting paired with music and visuals, making it both funny and uplifting. In the end, viewers would agree that it’s more than just a sports comedy. It’s a film about second chances and finding purpose in places one would hardly expect. The Underdoggs stands out because of Snoop’s performance and the hilarious dialogue the kids brought to the screen. It’s the kind of movie that’s fun to watch several times.
Stream The Underdoggs on Prime Video now!
The Underdoggs (2023) Official Prime Video Trailer
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Author
Precious Osagie
Elke Simmons' writing portfolio includes contributions to The Laredo Morning Times, Walt Disney World Eyes and Ears, Extinction Rebellion (XR) News/Blog, and Dead Talk News.