Top Five Kids Sports Movies from the 90's
My childhood would not be the same without these movies. Though their plots were extremely predictable, and the actors were pretty terrible (see: Michael Jordan), these movies collectively have had a positive impact on my life.
There were two requirements to be on the list. One was that they had to made for kids, which throws out Rudy, Hoosiers, and Love and Basketball (though those are all great sports movies). Secondly, these movies had to have come out on VHS. Because VHS is trendy and old-school, and I want to make this feel like an "I Love the 90's" episode on VH1.
Here are my five favorite kids sports movies from the 90's (in no particular order):
The Sandlot (1993)
"Heroes get remembered, but legends never die"
Told through the voice of Scott Smalls, better known as "Smalls," we witness the narrator's transformation from being clueless to falling in love with America's past times. This is one of those movies that you'll never get sick of. It's witty down-to-earth plot and memorable one-liners help make this movie an instant classic. There are certain scenes in this film that we can all vividly remember from it. Mine happens to be when the group is trying to retrieve the ball through intricate and complicated ways; each ending up in complete failure. This is one film that I'll appreciate FOREVER, FOR-EVER, FOR-EVER.
Space Jam (1996)
"You ever heard of the Dream Team? Well, we're the Mean Team, wussy man."
As the Looney Tunes are threatened to be captured for a theme park, they resort to challenging the "Nerdlucks" to a game of basketball to save themselves. Who would actually think that combining Looney Toons and Michael Jordan could produce a decent movie? It may seem a little bizzare. But for whatever reasons, it works. It is funny, it is real, and you end up buying into the whole thing. Count this as a sort of a redemption for M.J., especially because he is willing to recount his failures in the Minor Leagues for the film.
D2 The Mighty Ducks (1994)
"And when the wind blows hard and the sky is black - Ducks fly together! "
Coach Bombay is on a mission to lead Team USA to a title in the Junior Olympics goodwill games. But the fame and fortune tempt him into caring more about other things. On top of that, half of the team is made up of new faces. Can the Ducks still Quack? Though, this is a sequel, I think most people my age would agree that this film stands out the most to them among the the three Might yDuck films. The knuckle puck, the evil european hockey team, and Coach Bombay's rise, fall, and comeback are all reasons why this movie so memorable.
The Little Giants (1994)
"What a hunk. Wait a minute? What am I saying? I'm the Icebox. Icebox doesn't like boys. Except for that one... "
This movie is about Danny and Kevin O'Shea, two brothers that are coaches of pee-wee football teams in a small town. Kevin is a local football hero and has a pee-wee team with the best players. Danny on the other hand, has always been second place to his brother, as a result, he puts together a team to challenge his brother. Maybe I like this film because it reminds me a little of my freshman football experience. Either way, this is a great movie, because for a change a girl plays a central role in it. The main character is Becky O'Shea, better known as "Icebox," she is the daughter of Danny O'Shea. Icebox is a nice representation of all tomboys around the world. It's okay to like sports if you're a girl, even if its a football.
Rookie of the Year (1993)
"You're the best thing to happen to baseball since Cracker Jack!"
Not to be confused with Dennis Quaid's inspirational "Rookie", this movie is a fictional depiction of every kid's dream, playing baseball in the major leagues. As a result of a freakish injury to his arm, Henry Rowengartner is blessed with an ability to throw a wicked fast ball and soon finds himself putting on a uniform for his hometown Chicago Cub at the ripe age of 12. We get a human look at what it takes to be in the Major Leagues, with the main character battling between his childhood and his responsibilities as a professional baseball player. Oddly enough, the main character has an interesting resemblance to Tim Lincecum. One of my favorite scenes is when one of the coaches for the Cubs ends up locking himself in between the two doors that separate neighboring hotel rooms.
Others in the running: Air Bud, Angels in the Outfield, Big Green
