Underdogs

7.6 stars.

This is a sequel in one aspect alone: it's a backstory for Red, the billionaire from the first movie. Every other aspect of this film is different and exclusive from the first and should not be compared. If you've seen the first one, you might be tempted to look at this as a sequel, expecting something similar with the same feel and background, but you would be disappointed (possibly the opposite) if you take this approach. I am in the latter group. I did expect something like the first, but realized after 20 minutes I must shift my reckoning to a fresh perspective.

We are taken back to the 1940's before the war, Red is a young man with massive aspirations to be a billionaire like Carnegie. He starts from rock bottom, homelessness, working on a ranch for a pittance, skipping high school to follow his dream of being rich, doing whatever it takes. He's smart, and soon he's also smitten by a girl. They love each other dearly and as the story continues the epic adventure and life of this man unfolds. We are taken into her attempts to get him to attend high school, then their courtship, into his experiences in World War II, digging for oil after the war, hitting paydirt, getting filthy rich, winning lawsuits, becoming an oil tycoon, and leaving competitors in his wake. It all spans about 30 years. Unfortunately, he becomes one of the most greedy and ruthless men in the industry.

This is an absolutely marvelous standalone film. Unlatch yourself from 'The Ultimate Gift', because it will be the ultimate gift for yourself in order to fully understand and enjoy the originality and adventure this movie offers. If you are stuck in the tracks of the first installment, comparing, taking notes, differentiating, rating the performances, placing emphasis on the actors and not the quality of writing...you will miss the obvious: 'The Ultimate Life' contains a superior setting and background than that explored in 'The Ultimate Gift'. The former film utilized a higher budget and the production value appeared larger, but this sequel presents a much fuller story and is easier to follow. I think people got caught up in the casting choices and lack of marital focus. The romance is predominantly absent, but in its place is an inside look at a rags to riches story of a man and how he was shaped from hard-hearted to compassionate.

This is a sequel to the 2006s 'The Ultimate Gift'. The story commences from where It ended in the first, but after opening few minutes it takes us to the flashback story in the earlier decades. It was not a bad story at all, but it did not have any valuable film stars in it to lighten up. Especially failing to bring back Drew Fuller was the biggest drawback for this sequel. Other than that it was well filmed in beautiful places in the United States. This movie was not bad as you heard about it. If you try it once, you will realise what I was saying. It is a fine B movie.

✰✰✰✰✰✰½/10

My family loved' The Ultimate Gift' so we were looking forward to this squeal (which actually provides a backstory for the original movie and is more of a prequel.) The first movie wasn't a huge box office hit or high-quality film but was an enjoyable, heartwarming, family movie with a great message, good acting, and a decent script...along with some familiar, well-liked actors. On the other hand, this movie came across as very low budget and amateurish. The movie had some very unrealistic, even silly, scenes and was completely predictable. Those things in and of themselves wouldn't be all bad but the writing, acting, direction, and pacing were also pretty bad. This film tells the story of Red Stevens, the grandpa, played by James Garner, from the first movie, and how he became the man he was, and why he passed The Ultimate Gift down to his grandson, which was interesting and we did watch it to the end but this movie was very disappointing and not as pleasant to sit through as the first movie, In My Humble Opinion!

Jim Stovall wrote more than 50 books. Out of which 3 became famous films Ultimate Gift 2006,Ultimate Life 2013 & Ultimate Legacy 2015. This sequel is about a tenacious,diehard,strong-willed American Businessman Red Stevens(James Garner)who leaves behind a huge fortune for his Grandson Jason. All 3 films are worth watching & make the complete sense. Here is true American values culture & morals. After he earns inheritance in hard way,he makes Hospital,Oil rigs & investments. He is big & rich but looses his love. His wife finds niche in nursing in a distant Hospital. He hates to be just a money making Robot. In the confusion,his Grandfather's journal helps him. He gains love &ultimate life. Request please first see the Ultimate Gift,later the Ultimate & last the Life. If you are American or Global citizen you will yourself & your life. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 6/30/21.

For a feel good Christian values movie this one is a little odd, the protaganist has it in his mind to be the next Andrew Carnegie and goes about it with single-minded determination. Is becoming a billionaire so important for the evangelicals? Whatever happened to the old "eye of the needle" proverb?