Second String (2002)
American football coach Chuck Dichter has worked wonders with the Buffalo Bills, and is even confident to crown his career with a Super Bowl victory, but before the play-offs an oyster food-poisoning wipes out his first team for a month. Dan Heller, an insurance salesman and former college quarterback, who was hired -relactantly, but his wife twisted his arm- just for practice, now has to captain and train a bunch of rookies and old-timers against the hardest adversaries. Dichter decides to sign up triple Super Bowl-winner Tommy Baker in Dan's place...
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Craptastic! This movie is as wonderfully predictable as it is cheesy. Primarily because the characters are fairly enjoyable. Set your expectations low and you will not be disappointed.This is not a rip-off of "The Replacements" it is far superior. Instead of watching a bunch scabs, (the lowest life form on the planet-read Jack London's definition of a scab), the audience is treated to a much more inventive, though highly improbable, reason as to why the the starting squad is not available to play football. The story takes you away with groans and yeah rights. Chances are you will laugh out loud at the contrivances and trickery.On an added note of actual production value. The cinematography is actually pretty awesome during the game play, especially since the budget was far less than an actual feature film.Not worth renting, not worth planning to watch, but definitely worth your time. I would have much rather seen this whilst trapped on a plane than The Replacements.
This was a good football movie, it showed whats its like to be at the bottom of the ladder on a football team, and then be thrust into the starting roll. I really liked the idea that it had an overall bigger lession to teach as well.
(SPOILERS) This movie was watchable, but not very good. My main problem with the film was the uncanny resemblance to the movie "The Replacements," starring Gene Hackman et al. This becomes most apparent in the final game, the Super Bowl. Every aspect of the game mirrors the final game in "The Replacements."They even ripped off the whole plot involving a hotshot QB being brought in to win big game, but not listening to the coach. Even some of the dialogue as this QB complains about the second stringers is almost exactly the same. Oh, and the ending (SPOILER) is the same as well. The hotshot QB is sent walking, and replacement player Bellows comes in and brings his team back from the brink of failure to win. Big surprise there. My advice? Rent "The Replacements." Much better.
A delightful little movie about getting a second chance. No real BIG names except Jon Voight of course. Perfect for the small screen. The cameos by the real players were well done and not too hammy. Football fans will enjoy the "trick" plays.