What makes a "True Underdog"

I must say I have seen a great deal of sports movies. Most movies based on stories based on sports triumphs or victories are very serious and keep you on the edge of your seat. "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" really exemplifies what makes a great film. Yes, it is a comedy with senseless humor and a few vulgar acts. But the plot line behind this movie is certainly among one of the best for sports movies that I have seen. How can you do much better than a group of grown men playing a typical high school gym class game competitively to save the place that love with everything in them, Average Joe's Gymnasium.

When big gym business manager "White Goodman" (played by Ben Stiller) tries to acquire the property of Average Joe's and wants to tear it down to build a parking lot, due to Average Joe's $50,000 debt to the bank, manager Peter LaFluer (played by Vince Vaughn) and his group of loyal misfits try to defend to place they love with the best idea that they could come up with. Enter the Las Vegas Internation Open Dodgeball Tournament. An event that I am not sure even takes place. However with all that being said, the story of Average Joe's making it to the top of the dodgeball world is a truly epic and heroic story of an underdog coming together to defeat all odds.

Average Joe's team consists of a grown man who claims to be a pirate, Steve the Pirate; a typical high school kid...who was distraught over not making the cheerleading squad, Justin; ex airport employees Dwight and Owen. And not to mention the bank lawyer who Globo Gym (owned by White Goodman) had on their case to overtake Average Joes, Kathrine Veech. Watching this movie, you really see what a true group of misfits this Average Joes team is, especially compared to a dominantly athletic team from Globo Gym, the Purple Cobras. After Average Joes sneaks into the tournament in a qualifying match due to a girl scout that took steroids, they rattled off five straight victories against competitive teams from around the world.

Before the championship game against Globo Gym, long time dodgeball coach Patches O'houlihan is killed in a freak accident at the bar. Team captain, Peter LaFluer is distraught by the loss, and White Goodman tried to pay him off $100,000 to throw the championship game. Peter initially accepts the bribe and books a plane ticket home. However, after searching inside himself, and with a little help from supporting actor, Lance Armstrong, Peter decide to join the team at the last second, and they end up defeating Globo Gym in sudden death to win the championship, and the $50,000 prize. Peter took the $100,000 that White offered him to throw the game, and bet it on Average Joes to win. Being 50 to 1 underdogs, Peter ends up winning over 5 million dollars. Enough to buy Globo Gym. Yes, this movie is absolutely hilarious and a very unrealistic comedic movie. But the obstacles overcome by the Average Joes team with a cause behind them, really does make a true great sports movie. You find yourself rooting for them throughout the whole tournament especially with rival Globo Gym being the favorites. I would personally not make a  pitch for "Dodgeball" to be in the category as best sports movies of all time, however if your looking for a  good laugh and a great story line, this is a movie I would highly recommend.