Little Giants Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two brothers argue over kids’ football, leading to a bunch of misfits hilariously defying expectations and proving that even the nerdiest of us can score a touchdown… or at least trip over the goal line in a heartwarming way.

🍿 Little Giants: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The O’Shea Brothers and the Cowboys

In Urbania, Ohio, former football star Kevin O’Shea coaches the elite Urbania Cowboys peewee team. His younger brother, Danny, a less athletically gifted individual, watches as Kevin’s arrogance leads him to reject Danny’s talented daughter, Becky, simply because she is a girl. This sets the stage for a classic underdog story.

Forming the Little Giants

Motivated by Kevin’s unfairness, Becky and other rejected kids decide to form their own team, the Little Giants, with Danny as their coach. They face the challenge of finding players and instilling team spirit in a group of misfits. The team’s initial lack of skill and experience provides comedic moments and highlights the team’s underdog status.

Training and Tribulations

As the Giants prepare to face the Cowboys, they encounter various obstacles, including low morale and the challenges of learning basic football skills. A visit from NFL personalities provides inspiration and practical advice. Becky struggles with her identity as a football player and her feelings for teammate Junior, leading to a temporary departure from the team.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Danny O’Shea (Rick Moranis): The kind-hearted, less athletic brother who coaches the underdog Little Giants to prove a point and support his daughter.
• Kevin O’Shea (Ed O’Neill): The competitive and arrogant former football star who coaches the elite Cowboys team.
• Becky O’Shea (Shawna Waldron): A talented and determined young football player who inspires the formation of the Little Giants after being unfairly cut from her uncle’s team.
• Junior Floyd (Devon Sawa): The skilled quarterback who joins the Little Giants and becomes a key player and an object of affection for Becky.
• Spike Hammersmith (Sam Horrigan): The intimidating and aggressive player recruited by Kevin to strengthen the Cowboys.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Danny O’Shea: “I’m here to tell you that being a Little Giant isn’t about winning. It’s about heart, it’s about character, and about never giving up!” – Danny’s impassioned speech to rally his dispirited team during halftime.
• Danny O’Shea: “Who the hell do you think you are, Vince Lombardi? These are kids!” – Danny confronts his brother Kevin about his overly aggressive coaching style and win-at-all-costs mentality.
• Spike Hammersmith: “I am the Hammer!” – Spike’s self-proclamation whenever he makes a big hit or intimidating play.
• Kevin O’Shea: “Second place is first loser.” – Kevin’s mantra, reflecting his ruthless competitive nature and disdain for anything less than victory.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $19,306,362
• Worldwide Gross: $19,306,362

💥 Little Giants Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Little Giants’ as a kid and just loving it. I mean, who doesn’t root for the underdog? The whole idea of a team of misfits coming together and actually having a shot was super inspiring. There’s this one scene where they get advice from John Madden, and it felt like *I* was getting coaching tips! Plus, Icebox was awesome – a girl who could totally hold her own on the field. It made me feel like anything was possible, even if you’re not the ‘best’ at something.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with children”
  • “Fans of underdog sports movies”
  • “Those who enjoy lighthearted comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in movies with positive messages”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some slapstick violence”
  • “Brief instances of crude humor (fart jokes)”
  • “Themes of competition and sibling rivalry”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “Little Giants scores with positive messages about teamwork and perseverance. While predictable, it offers good, clean fun for the whole family, making it a solid choice for a movie night. Some may be put off by the humor that does devolve into the occasional fart joke, and the film does over play its hand on sports stereotypes. But if you’re after an inspiring underdog story that celebrates inclusivity, this one’s a touchdown.
• AllMovie: “Little Giants provides feel-good entertainment for the whole family, featuring a strong cast and an uplifting narrative, it is a well made children’s sports movie. It’s a story about outcasts coming together and learning the value of teamwork. Moranis and O’Neill have great on screen chemistry, adding an extra layer of entertainment for adults who may be watching the film with their kids.

Audience Reactions

Fans praise the movie for its feel-good story and positive messages about teamwork.: Viewers appreciate the film’s lighthearted humor and relatable characters, making it a family favorite.

Many loved the character ‘Icebox’ for being a strong female role model.: Lots of regular viewers enjoyed the cast and the good-vs-evil storyline that appeals to kids.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and humorous underdog story that resonates with audiences of all ages, despite being somewhat predictable. It champions inclusivity and sportsmanship.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During the football game scenes, Devon Sawa, who played Junior, was noticeably taller than the other child actors. To compensate, he sometimes wore only socks to appear shorter.”
• “John Madden, along with NFL stars Emmitt Smith, Steve Emtman, Bruce Smith, and Tim Brown, made cameo appearances as themselves, lending authenticity to the football aspects of the film.”
• “The role of Spike Hammersmith was initially conceived as even more over-the-top and aggressive, but the director toned it down slightly to avoid alienating younger viewers.”

🖥️ How to Watch Little Giants?

Little Giants is available for streaming on various platforms including Prime Video, where it can be rented or purchased. It is also available on Apple TV and other digital retailers for rent or purchase. Check your local listings for TV broadcasts, as it occasionally airs on family-friendly channels. Availability may vary based on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Little Giants, you might like these similar films:

• The Bad News Bears (1976): A classic underdog sports comedy featuring a ragtag team of misfits who learn to play together and compete against a more skilled team.
• The Mighty Ducks (1992): Features a similar theme of an unlikely team of young players finding their potential and challenging expectations.
• Rookie of the Year (1993): A lighthearted, family-friendly sports film with a comedic tone, about an underdog kid who makes it to the big leagues.
• The Sandlot (1993): A coming-of-age story centered around a group of young baseball players, emphasizing teamwork, friendship, and summer fun.
• Kicking & Screaming (2005): Will Ferrell stars in this comedy about a father who takes over coaching his son’s soccer team, going head-to-head against his competitive father.

🛒 Little Giants Related Products

• Little Giants [DVD]: Own the classic family film on DVD and relive the underdog story anytime you want. This edition includes bonus features and behind-the-scenes footage, making it a must-have for any true fan.
• Little Giants Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating your room or home theater, showcasing your love for this iconic film.
• Vintage Little Giants T-Shirt: Show off your love for the classic movie with this vintage-style T-shirt featuring the Little Giants team logo. Comfortable and stylish, it’s perfect for everyday wear.
• Little Giants: The Unofficial Companion Book: Dive deeper into the world of Little Giants with this unofficial companion book, featuring behind-the-scenes stories, character profiles, and trivia.

🎧 Soundtrack

Little Giants features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “She Ain’t My Baby Anymore” – performed by Kostas

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Travis delivers the BEST ‘Little Giants,’ impression we’ve seen 🤣

OMG, you HAVE to see Travis Kelce’s ‘Little Giants’ impression! It’s hilarious, and honestly, it’s probably better than anything I could ever do. Click to watch!

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Want to impress your friends with some cool ‘Little Giants’ knowledge? This video drops some seriously interesting trivia about the movie – some of which I didn’t even know!

The Annexation of Puerto Rico: ‘Little Giants’ Definitive Trick Play Explained | The Ringer

Ever wonder how the ‘Annexation of Puerto Rico’ play in ‘Little Giants’ actually works? The Ringer breaks it down in detail, and it’s surprisingly fascinating. You will be surprised!

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