Avis Metacritic

Taking the inspirational sports movie template, then infusing it with so much weed and foul language that it deserves its own MPAA rating, The Underdoggs is a good example of what happens when Snoop Dogg steps into an otherwise familiar tween-age comedy to wreak havoc.

So there’s not a single surprise along the way. But there is the comfort of familiarity operating in the movie’s favor. And it’s fun.

There’s only so much that director Charles Stone III can do with the script’s “head held high” cornpone.

The film is funny, but the drama doesn't fully work.

Snoop is funny, in all his unfiltered fury. But the problem with shock-value comical profanity is its numbing effect. It stops being funny after awhile. We get used to it.

It certainly is a throwback, but it not only stops far short of being a comedy touchdown, it barely feels like it brings anything new to the field.

The kids in the film are simply too young to make an impact, and Snoop, who is fine enough as an actor, ultimately doesn’t possess the charisma necessary to elevate a lazy script.

The underdog formula doesn’t work in this film. Highlighted by Snoop Dogg’s ham-fisted acting, the script really doesn’t allow for any sort of forgiveness of his character’s oversights.

Snoop has obviously made a real-life impact in his community. Too bad he couldn’t make one in reel life as well.