The Big Green

Before this movie was released, The Sandlot and The Mighty Ducks had already been released. Two good Disney movies dealing with kids and sports. The way I saw it, The Big Green was just another attempt to cash in on that trend. Sadly it failed.

The movie isn't exactly bad. But if you have a choice to watch it, it be best to skip it. If anyone would find it the least bit enjoyable, it would be children which was the original target audience to begin with.

But if you must watch a kids soccer movie, instead watch Rodney Dangerfield's "Ladybugs." Alot more enjoyable plus the kids should like that one. I did when I was kid.

If you're looking for a sophisticated piece of art, "The Big Green" is not it. This is a family film for elementary school kids. I watched this movie for the first time when I was nine, and I absolutely loved it. I loved cheering for the underdog, and from my nine-year-old point of view, all the events were realistic and all the characters were believable. I especially loved Larry, who was hilarious in his delusions. I watched this film again tonight and realize that it is a clichéd film, but only because I'm much older and more cynical. However, this does not take away the fact that it brought back the days when I resolutely believed that the harder I worked, the more it would pay off and that anybody could be a winner. It is optimistic, heart-warming and uplifting for that inner nine-year-old.

A bunch of losers all band together and join the sports team and slowly turn from disjointed misfits into a cohesive group that cares and grows together. It's remarkably unoriginal in it's plot but I give it points for having some fun characters. Also, there's this really great visual thing they do where the goalie sees the opposing offense as various monsters and warriors. It's a creative way of presenting fear and anxiety in a child friendly way.

The students in a small Texan town have a new teacher from England (Olivia D'Abo). She is trying hard to motivate and communicate with her pupils, with only limited success. Limited, that is, until she gets her students excited about soccer. She assembles a ragtime team, with no uniforms, and teaches them about the fundamentals of soccer. The team, with a mixture of girls and boys, begins playing matches. They lose. The teacher enlists the help of the local sheriff (Steve Guttenberg) and, together, they help the team improve. But, will they succeed in winning soccer games? This is another stroll down Mighty Ducks lane but it is still a good film for children. It's themes of hard work and teamwork are undeniable and very worthwhile. The actors, the script, and the Texas setting form a touching and funny film. If you want to find a good family film for a night at home, try this one. Big grins will pop up over The Big Green.

I had not watched this since I was a kid and honestly hardly remembered anything about it . We recently watched it on Disney plus and it was great ! I smiled the whole way through . I felt like it took some great life lessons and packed them into a very entertaining and funny story .

I think it's a great reminder of what a family movie should be : simple , clean and leaving you with a great moral lesson . Great for all ages .