UNDEFEATED is a documentary film produced in 2012 about an inner city high-school and their football team. Manassas High-school located in Memphis, Tennessee is followed throughout their season as they try to make the playoffs for the first time in their school's history. At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to the main characters; the head coach and a few seniors who started with him since the end of their eight-grade year. During the player's entire high-school football careers, the team has not had a single winning season and the documentary follows these young men into their final season with the guidance of their head coach.
As we are introduced to each character, we are also introduced to their own specific story and how it plays a part on who they are today. This theme is supported by the development of each persons as the season goes on. The coach is a moderately wealthy man that owns a business but his real passion lies with football. He spends more time with the football team than his very own business and family. His compassion for his players is continued when he welcomes one of them into his home to be tutored. We are also introduced to the seniors on the team; all of which have grown up in the rough neighborhoods of Memphis but each with their unique trait about them. One senior with a violent past goes through a great personal battle with another player but later in the film comes to terms with not only his anger but with his team. He of all the characters makes the biggest transformation. Another player struggles with academics while trying to pursue his dream of going to college and eventually makes a high enough score on the ACT. Going through a season ending injury and doing whatever he can to play in his last high-school football game is the hardest battle one of these players goes through. As the season goes on, the team being mentored by their head coach, develops into game winning team and not only clinching a playoff seed but also home-field advantage. The overall athleticism and skills of the players increase as well as the team begins to win and have momentum. One thing the film does really well is showcase the development of the characters and the team as a whole. At the beginning, the team struggles to perform simple passing plays but now is a 2nd half come-back team and on a winning streak. But when the team faces a loss, the team handles it professionally with their chins held high. Also the film builds great suspense by showing the importance of winning a game because a loss would mean an end to the season. Suspense is also built with one of the players suffering an injury and his ability to heal so he could play in his last football game.
Overall, UNDEFEATED is a good film. It isn't a potential threat to Remember the Titans as the best football movie but it does a good job. I really enjoyed the journey the team went through and the hardships they endured. The director does a good job with scenery and putting the audience on the football field with the team. The film is raw, meaning there is profanity and real emotions being showcased like in the real world. The film also does shows the hardship of life by referencing the closure of the Firestone plant and how it affected local economy and way of life. The city of Memphis suffered tremendously and many of its citizens became unemployed. The audience's hope for success is satisfied at the end of the film when the characters graduate and go on to their respective paths. UNDEFEATED can be watched by anyone; however, with the film will be most enjoyed by people who follow sports and especially football
As we are introduced to each character, we are also introduced to their own specific story and how it plays a part on who they are today. This theme is supported by the development of each persons as the season goes on. The coach is a moderately wealthy man that owns a business but his real passion lies with football. He spends more time with the football team than his very own business and family. His compassion for his players is continued when he welcomes one of them into his home to be tutored. We are also introduced to the seniors on the team; all of which have grown up in the rough neighborhoods of Memphis but each with their unique trait about them. One senior with a violent past goes through a great personal battle with another player but later in the film comes to terms with not only his anger but with his team. He of all the characters makes the biggest transformation. Another player struggles with academics while trying to pursue his dream of going to college and eventually makes a high enough score on the ACT. Going through a season ending injury and doing whatever he can to play in his last high-school football game is the hardest battle one of these players goes through. As the season goes on, the team being mentored by their head coach, develops into game winning team and not only clinching a playoff seed but also home-field advantage. The overall athleticism and skills of the players increase as well as the team begins to win and have momentum. One thing the film does really well is showcase the development of the characters and the team as a whole. At the beginning, the team struggles to perform simple passing plays but now is a 2nd half come-back team and on a winning streak. But when the team faces a loss, the team handles it professionally with their chins held high. Also the film builds great suspense by showing the importance of winning a game because a loss would mean an end to the season. Suspense is also built with one of the players suffering an injury and his ability to heal so he could play in his last football game.
Overall, UNDEFEATED is a good film. It isn't a potential threat to Remember the Titans as the best football movie but it does a good job. I really enjoyed the journey the team went through and the hardships they endured. The director does a good job with scenery and putting the audience on the football field with the team. The film is raw, meaning there is profanity and real emotions being showcased like in the real world. The film also does shows the hardship of life by referencing the closure of the Firestone plant and how it affected local economy and way of life. The city of Memphis suffered tremendously and many of its citizens became unemployed. The audience's hope for success is satisfied at the end of the film when the characters graduate and go on to their respective paths. UNDEFEATED can be watched by anyone; however, with the film will be most enjoyed by people who follow sports and especially football