Alley Cats Strike

Coming two years after the Big Lebowski, four years after Kingpin, this is a kids attempt at cashing in the attraction of bowling. East and West Appleton have a long standing sporting rivalry that's gone on for decades. Each year they have gone up against each other in just about every sport that each has a team for, but for some reason the two schools are going to become one, meaning that this year is the last "Big Apple". The two mayors keep upping the ante over who wins, not helped by West Appletons mayor also being the father of their star player, who's helped them win at pretty much every main stream sport, until East Appleton proposes bowling and he has to team up with the losers - "Only losers bowl," - to win the big prize. Add to that, a connection between the Mayor and the bowling alley owner and a gradual change in the lead bowlers (who's also the bowling alley owners son) attitude, it's a standard Disney feel good film that fills all the tick boxes. The music is of an era, the 50's vibe adds to the relaxed vibe the losers have, while there are no chase scenes, so the camera work is pretty standard point and shoot. It took me ten minutes to realise that was Kaley Cuoco - it is two years before 8 Simple Rules - and it was funny that Mimi Paleys first acting credit was playing a young Buffy the Vampire Slayer, considering the roles Cuoco would go onto. The main characters - Kyle Schmid (Alex Thompson) and Robert Ri'chard (Todd McLemore) and basically 90's kids, even if Kyle has such an affinity with the 50's, but the dialogue is stilted at times as they try to make the premise of a bowling match being so important to a town, though as other reviews have said; the bowling technique could have done with some work, and did they actually finish the last match? A fun, very child friendly film, with a good message and obvious story line.

Good cast and heartwarming ideas about outcast teenage bowlers being called upon to win for the sake of their school and to prove they "belong".

Spotty on plot. You mean to tell me that during the (presumably) weeks leading up to the basketball game that would tie the battle for the Mighty Apple, no one checked to see what would happen in case of a tie? Not even Sweet Lou, who lived and breathed Appleton sports? By the way, why all the stress on junior high school sports? They don't have a high school to care about?

I can't imagine that my town, when growing up, would have cared much about a competition against the next town on the jr. high level. Still, it's for kids.

This is a really great story about a towns teen sport jock who gets involuntarily teamed up with local bowling square pegs.

A long running tradition between two rival towns is about to be retired and it is up to this odd bunch to take home the prize. With no time to spare Todd McLemore, town jock and son of the mayor, must learn how to bowl. But he has a thing or two to teach the group of overly confident teen bowlers.

Alex Thompson, leader of the brat, learns that change can be a good thing. Between Todd and Alex they come up with an idea to save the unpopular bowling alley. A great story of team building and friendship. Definitely a must see!

This movie was really good. I especially liked the fact that there was so much team effort and spirit in the movie. That gives people a good idea as to how one should play on a team with people they don't know very well. It was pretty funny too!

Alley Cats Strike, a film that mixes hip swing music with bowling, concerns the athletic rivalry between two highschools and a group of retro outcasts who love to bowl.

East and West Appleton have an intense sports rivalry. They've gone head to head against each other in just about every sport imaginable until East Appleton proposes bowling. Of course, none of the jocks can bowl. "Only losers bowl," claims the West Appleton mayor.

The West Appleton athletic council confronts the outcasts about bowling for the school. The kids don't really care about the school or winning but since no one else can bowl as good as them they do step up to the plate. As they film winds down, the group who were once the brunt of jokes, gain the respect of the school and the "real" jocks.

The film, although simple and predictable, is very good. The young cast including Schmid, Ri'chard and Cuoco, are excellent. The director, Rod Daniel's seems to have been influenced by Scorsese. At times throughout the film, the action pauses while the narrator(Schmid) explains to the audience what is really happening. I loved that!

I didn't expect much from the film going in but I was surprised. Check it out!