Review- The underdogs

How "Little Giants" sets itself apart

"The Mighty Ducks," "Little Giants" and "Kicking & Screaming" have very similar themes of underdog teams that are rallied to victory by an unexpected coach who has felt athletic defeat previously as a child. 

Three different sports, different rivalries, different actors and actresses. 

All the same plot lines. 

Do any of these films draw you in and surprise you? Or do they only appeal to children who are too young to realize the cliches of the coming-of-age childhood victory?

                                                                   IMDb

"Little Giants" can be streamed

for free on Tubi and bought or rented

on Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango.

"Little Giants," which is directed by Duwayne Dunham and released on October 14, 1994, showcases a peewee football underdog story through the rivalry of the O'Shea brothers. Rick Moranis plays Danny O'Shea, the younger, dorky, unathletic brother and Ed O'Neill plays Kevin O'Shea the cocky, obnoxious former football star who has won the Heisman among other accolades. 

After Kevin O'Shea cuts his niece Becky "Icebox" O'Shea, she takes it upon herself to create her own team, the Little Giants, with her dad as the coach. The film demonstrates coming together as a team and a coming-of-age story as a band of rejects come together to compete in a peewee football game for the chance to represent their hometown Urbania, Ohio in Ohio's peewee football playoffs. 

The town isn't big enough for two football teams, and someone must go down. 

Of course, the underdogs win. How could they not?

Critics have expressed that the movie lacks originality because the underdog story is overused. Perhaps it's even a tad unrealistic as NFL legends John Madden, Steve Emtman, Bruce Smith, Emmitt Smith and Tim Brown get lost in town and give the team tips and afterwards they magically can somewhat compete with the best of them. The film also includes the romance between Danny O'Shea and his childhood crush, Junior Floyd's mom. The romance between a dorky coach and beautiful single mom is nothing new in underdog films. 

Nonetheless, the movie is appealing and inspiring to children because of the toddler-like humor of the young characters, the immaturity of the adults and the fact that even the doubted can become champions.

The movie sets itself apart because Becky O'Shea is only cut because she is a girl. She's the most talented athlete but her uncle doesn't believe that girls should play sports. She doesn't mind being "like" a boy, until she develops a crush for Junior Floyd and her cousin flirts with him. She becomes a cheerleader, hoping that she will grab Floyd's attention. 

However, the message that young girls can dominate on any athletic field shines through as Becky O'Shea rejoins the team and saves the day. This film shows that women can do anything as good as men, if not better, and helps push the idea that young girls don't need to prioritize their looks to succeed.

"The Mighty Ducks" and "Kicking & Screaming" share the same childish humor as "Little Giants" that makes kids laugh for hours. Both films also highlight the importance of family, hard work and banding together for a common goal. 

However, they have many underdog cliches that make the films predictable. 

The angle of a father and daughter relationship add a different perspective to "Little Giants," and offer young girls the opportunity to see that girls are tough and don't have to be princesses to do whatever their hearts desire. 

Even if it's geared toward children, as a woman, it never hurts to see a girl come out on top and prove everyone wrong.

Akeana Rootes is an aspiring sports journalist and the oldest of four daughters, whose mom and dad have always taught them that the sky is the limit. She has been an athlete her entire life and her father is the assistant varsity coach for girl's basketball at her high school. He has been teaching his daughters how to be athletes and is proud to be a girl dad.

Obituary

Jolene McHargue (October 5, 1970 - December 14, 2014)

Jolene McHargue died due to a stroke on Sunday, December 14, 2014, at Albany Medical Center Hospital in Albany, N.Y. She was 44. She was the daughter of Linda Rootes and Thomas R. Rootes Sr. Much like her parents, she lived in Green Island, N.Y. her entire life. She had a spunky attitude that was contrasted by her bright smile.

Mrs. McHargue graduated from Heatly High School and graduated with a degree in nursing from Hudson Valley Community College. As a registered nurse, she started out in the emergency room of St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, N.Y. She took great pride in her job and was proud to have the opportunity to help others. She started her family in 1997 and transitioned to being a nurse case manager for Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, so that she could make time for her family. She held this position for 15 years.

She loved her career as a nurse and was happy to make the sacrifice of switching careers for her family. She loved watching sports, especially NASCAR. She was a huge fan of Dale Earnhardt, the New York Giants and the New York Rangers. She also shared a special bond with her niece and Goddaughter Akeana over their love of watching WWE. She held a special place in her heart for furry friends, as she provided a loving home for four rescue huskies.

Mrs. McHargue was preceded in death by her aunts, Sandra Claus and Bernard Rootes; and by her father, Thomas R. Rootes Sr., who passed on October 14, 2013. She is survived by her mother, Linda Rootes; her husband, Victor Scott McHargue; her three sons, Tyler, Josh and Jacob McHargue; her brother, Thomas R. Rootes Jr. (Kerra); her four nieces who knew her as "Aunt JoJo," Akeana, Mahala, Kalana and Zakala; and her aunts and uncles, Margaret and Darryl Leggieri, Barbara and Don McGivern, Susan and Mick Slupski, Charles Claus, Frances Rootes and Ronald and Joanne Rootes. She will be cherished by the rest of her family and friends.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, from 4-7 p.m. at the McNulty Funeral Home, 147 Hudson Ave., Green Island. A funeral will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will succeed at St. Mary's Cemetery in Troy, N.Y. Due to Mrs. McHargue's love for animals, instead of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204.