We Are Marshall (2006)

Just perfect...

Absolutely the worst movie.

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Many great reviews here, film is good, maybe not great, but good. But we feel MATTHEW FOX (as Coach Red Dawson) gave the best performance of all of them. Yes, through most of the characters here we feel the pain of the people, school, the town, the state. But Fox NAILS this role completely! He totally owns the 'emotional portrayal' of the loss that they all feel in each and every scene he's in - and each time he brings us to tears!As an example of one of our favorite scenes: Coach Dawson (Fox) is in the locker room after their first win, crying his eyes out, all alone. And then the elderly team janitor walks in and congratulates the coach on his win. But in an awe-inspiring moment, the coach then, in turn, congratulates {the janitor} on the TEAM's win ('congratulations to you too, Jimmy'). That simple statement is beautiful and priceless just in itself: Everyone plays a part, everyone is important to the team - even the 'lowly' janitor. This wonderful message permeates the film, and it will move you beyond belief when you recognize it for what it truly is . . ."You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." — Malcolm S. Forbes

Based on the infamous 1970 plane crash, in which over 40 members of the Marshall University football team were killed, "We Are Marshall" is a historical biopic by director McG. Opening with the aforementioned calamity, the film charts the attempts of Marshall Univerity to hire a new coach and put together a new team. Other scenes chronicle the difficulties locals have in coming to terms with the deaths of friends and loved ones.Despite some fine cinematography, and a cute performance by Kate Mara, "We Are Marshall" is mostly inept. Actor Matthew McConaughey mistakes exuberance/gimmickry for acting, McG overplays every emotion, the film's overly sappy, and its themes of loss and healing are wholly superficial.4/10 - Worth no viewings. Similar films: "The Sweet Hereafter, "Shadowlands", "Imaginary Heroes", "Ordinary People" and "Cries and Whispers".

The events that inspired the film We Are Marshall are definitely enough to inspire a great story. The trick is avoiding the many sports movie clichés that are potentially lurking behind every turn of the page of any possible screenplay. To its credit, this film avoids a lot of them, and uses its characters and its atmosphere to make the ones we see a little more forgivable. The tragic 1970 plane crash that took the lives of most Marshall University football players, boosters, and athletic department personnel is a story most sports fans are familiar with. This film doesn't provide us with any insight into its cause, or give us many of the details we didn't already know. What it does, and quite effectively, is focus on the survivors and how they attempt to move on. The school very nearly ended its football program, and nobody could have blamed them if they had never played another game. Funny thing about football... its just too much a part of our national passion to ever give it up.This film could have easily been a feel-good vehicle for Matthew McConaughey, but luckily they had the sense to dial his presence down a tad. He certainly still stands out and gives a charismatic performance, but he isn't even introduced until well into the film as Jack Lengyel, the coach who will be the first to lead the Thundering Herd back onto the field. Matthew Fox as the only surviving assistant from the past coaching staff also does fine as the conflicted coach who takes a great deal of convincing before he joins the new staff. Film does a great job detailing the difficulty of blending new players with the few surviving ones who were not on the plane. Even in the heart of a tragedy, boys will still be boys... especially when they play football at a major university.Of course we get the "big game" climax at the film's conclusion, but since this one is based on fact, the cliché is a lot easier to take. The film is visually impressive and seems to give great attention to detail. West Virginia is quite a beautiful place, and there are some scenes where the surroundings on the horizon take on a character of their own. I was generally surprised at how much I liked this film. I was expecting something a little more artificial. Not only is it thoughtful and nostalgic, but it shows us how many lives can be lost and transformed in one instant. 8 of 10 stars.The Hound.

This movie certainly was a surprise. The only reason why I sat down to watch it was because of Matthew Fox. I myself do like sport but not really a big fan of football.I didn't think I would enjoy this movie. I really can't understand the American obsession with college football and how small towns seem to revere their young football players as demigods. I am sure the same amount of reverence would not be given to the chess club or the school band. But the shocking loss of so many lives in one accident is a tragedy in any sense of the word - football team or not.The sheer tenacity and perseverance of Jack Langley (Matthew McConaughey), Red Dawson (Matthew Fox) and the very likable President Dedmon (David Strathairn) really brought the heart into this movie.The movie sends a good message in - if you want to achieve the improbable then you will have to take the road less traveled. This is portrayed through the rise of the new Marshall University football team after losing most of its much loved players, coaches, officials and fans in the horrific plane crash.I am still not a fan of football and this movie certainly won't make you into one either but it will make you believe that anything really is possible.