Before I go spouting off about what I think of this movie, you have to understand one thing first. Varsity Blues was filmed relatively close to where I live, and I signed on to be an extra for the film. So you can imagine that my hopes are high, since I'm "in" this movie (for about 2.5 seconds). This review is to be taken with a grain of salt, due to my personal bias.

Having gotten that out of the way, I can tell you that this movie, starring James Vanderbeek as John Moxon and John Voight as Coach Bud Kilmer, is a laugh riot that tries at times to be a heartwarming drama.

Not being a fan of football, if I hadn't been an ego-mainiac looking for myself, I would probably not have given this movie a second glance. What ironies fate throws our way, as I found myself hooting and laughing and screaming "There I am!" at the top of my lungs... but I digress.

Moxon (known to his friends as Mox) is not a jock. Sure, he plays football (especially in a town where football is life -- glad *I* didn't grow up in the fictional town of West Canaan, Texas), but he's a second-string quarterback who wants nothing more than to get into Brown University and leave the rink dink town. His girlfriend has similar ambitions.

Kilmer is viewed as a god to all but his team. He has won 22 district titles, and 2 state championships. The football stadium at the high school is named after him, and a statue has been erected in his honor. He treats his team like dirt, and his name is breathed in reverence for it.

Imagine, if you will, a coach who won't let a member of his offensive line get examined after an obvious head injury. Imagine this coach injecting his quarterback with steroids instead of letting a doctor look at his injured knee. This same coach forces the headcase (sorry, bad pun) to play, despite bouts of dizziness. (Billy Bob is a focal comic character, and it was sad to see the treatment at Kilmer's hands.) Because of his injury, Billy Bob passes out right before a snap, allowing the defense to take the opening straight to the QB (that's Lance). Lance lands wrong, snapping his knee like a twig.

This is the same coach that won't let Running Back Wendell make any touchdowns, or write any letters of recommendation for him -- just because Wendell is black. The only person who does NOT receive the Wrath of Kilmer in this movie seems to be Tweeder (probably because Tweeder would just shake it off and keep on keeping on).

Well, with Lance out of the game, in comes second-stringer Mox, who gets caught up in being the town's big star. His girlfriend begins to shy away from this new person Mox is becoming, and Lance's girlfriend starts to get closer, if you know what I mean. (Have you ever seen a whipped cream bikini before? New one on me!)

So what does an anti-football movie watcher see in a movie like this that would make him like it? That's a good question. I've asked myself that a few times. The comedy, for one. Billy Bob is a pancake-dipped-in-peanut-butter eater, who then drinks syrup to wash it down. Tweeder is a party-hardy "who cares" type of guy that's always wreaking havok somewhere. Even Wendell gets his moment as his face is pushed into the chest of a stripper. (It was funny because it was unexpected!)

All of these had me roaring in my seat. But at the same time, it *is* a dramatic piece. It's a statement of how frenzied Texans get over football -- especially in a small town, where high school football can be the only glory they get. It's a story about pushing the limits and testing authority. (Mox and Kilmer never do manage to get along.)

And yes, there's some football footage, too. (I'm at the Hornet's game, myself. The mascot-beaning scene was ten times funnier than it was the night it was filmed, because of some backstory and an added shot.)

Bottom line, this is a good movie. It isn't Simon Birch, by any means. But you could definitely do a lot worse than see this movie.

This movie is rated R for language, sports related violence, and nudity.

SCORE: 7 Hilarious, moving, and a nice statement on Texas football and family traditions. Won't win any Oscars, but if you want an action-packed movie with a moral, you should definitely check this one out. Recommended! Return to top