There's certain emotional resonance surrounding sports flicks akin to watching a live game in rising spirits, but cinematically profoundness thankfully differentiates to not only accommodate non-sports fans when also wanting to satisfy their seeking that this specialized inspiration has to offer. Even though occasionally focusing across different sports based on the fitting platforms, or fields, it's become a basic formula that mostly predicted the outcome as conventionally expected, unlike statistical reliance being less predictable. Different sport, same structure, building up to two different outcomes: the less likely favored wins by beating the odds against the given obstacles seen as initially hindered curveballs thrown, or loses at the end but the thematic leverage persuades a rather more significant message polishing its overarching story besides the subject. Intimately accessed off-field observations insightfully ponder what sort of motivation is driving the players' focus with a personal edge pushed empathetically. "National Champions" is a partial scope that took a detour before its big game, which the film closes off before the kickoff. About 72 hours before the championship game, Missouri Wolves Heisman-winning quarterback LeMarcus James vanishes with his best friend, tight-end Emmett Sunday. LeMarcus drops a televised bombshell: issuing a strike in boycotting the game, demanding that student athletes are to be equally and respectfully regarded and fairly compensated as employees considering how much body and health the encouraged players push. The gist of the argument is that the coaches and executives earned more money off of the players for attracting large crowds into watching the game, putting their promised education and wellness as unimportant, even afterwards when left as a broken shell. This isn't factually based as aesthetically mimicked, but rather based off of a play which the writer Adam Mervis transitions onto the screen as the argumentative relevance is perfectly weighed among other professions outside sports in general. In this form, it's provocative on both sides, though diegetically within, and thought-provoking over solidifying points that can be shared and agreed applicably under experienced retrospect. Director Ric Roman Waugh tautly coordinated a politically-triggered game between two sides: one who is the most struggling and advocates change for their health, and the other boasts in knowledge but financially blind due to close-minded greed and ego. Tensely engaging to that of courtroom drama, positioning us viewers being constantly fed with each side's leverages and flaws, including drama that eventually become top priority outside of the topic despite the maintained extent. The separated dramas are shown to be connected amidst the occasional twists adjacent to ill-advised turns for sake of their argument, not strengthened when decided defenseless to counters alongside stubbornly contradicting their own viewpoints. Things get worn thin as it progresses whilst supportive of the overall cause but not alongside the unlikable personalities spearheading claims. Stephan James exceptionally embraces LeMarcus' convictions with convincing nuances remaining unspoken as he built the character's crippling stance and prepped intellect. Only his scenic bookends show his true self, not given much more material in between to further his self-proclaim leadership position in his own cause, as well not much to pull off the sympathetic figure he believes in. His polar opposite costar J.K. Simmons as his Coach James Lazor initially has better recognition prior, and he pulled off the surrounding pathos till the climatic meeting whereas being spaciously constricted from a better conversation regarding the established bond. He doesn't speak from the heart to convince his character's reaching perspective as it feels scripted and unfocused – he's a generic victim to marrying the sport over his own wife's misdirected affair. Purist performances on neutral grounds goes to Lil Rel Howery being the other coaching voice this picture needs aside from the triggering strikes, and Uzo Aduba displaying higher strength in her performative deliverance when conversing, and feeling, with both sides professionally. The film reaches its minimal necessity albeit how partially scoped when the buildup should've justify highlighting the championship to at least display the kind of impacts it's reckoned. Most sports flicks are formulaically split into two outcomes with similar builds, but the territory in this one score uncertainty. Proven itself unconventional by unforeseen effect, with impressively simplistic production setting, but the playbook, as it slightly deviates the frequently seen tropes, consists of turns that doesn't intend to score albeit the strategic handling. Minus the concrete details, the narrative should've been better developed in balancing and polishing its "game", then conclude with the actual game than just ending it with gimmicky ambiguity. Of course considering it's based on a play, but film can contribute to the established storyline by furthering its reach. "National Champions" can only pass as a moderate session beneath the higher ranks of its associated topical genres, evocatively lingering over its thought-provoking message with general senses applied. (B+)

I did not expect to like this movie as much as I did. Sure, I expected a tight performance from J.K. Simmons but Stephan James and Alexander Ludwig shine here too. The direction and editing keep the drama at a healthy pace but the underlying storyline is one that resonated with me.

Joke of a movie. It is a puff piece and just makes football look like a joke. It also is unrealistic also makes coaches look horrible. Definitely didn't like it.

I heard no "cheesy dialog" or saw any "gimmicky plot twists." This is an exceptionally well acted, tightly crafted film that delivers a power assessment of the state of college football and the ethics of those that control it.

This movie was so bad. Good cast that never materialized. It was like an hour and half promo for the r/antiwork sub Reddit and communism. It never got “better” very flat boring story.

Excellent movie highlights the exploytation of players health with zero support if injuryed or disabled and dropped. Not necessarily agreeing the should be paid but they should all be looked after as plenty of money in the system to do so.

Excellent powerful movie and such an eye opener to why the American College Football needs reviewed.

Surprisingly nuanced, subdued, but engaging story that helps bring to life a very nuanced debate about college sports.

Good acting, got my attention for the full 2 hours but the plot and dialogues were bordering the absurd . Could have been better.

Unless your passionate about rather college athletes get paid, and your passionate that they do, don't see this movie. It was horrible.

One of the worst movies I've ever seen. It felt like fan fiction from a freshman who just learned what a union did in the early 19th century. Honestly, how they could find such a talented cast and waste it on such a bad script is inexplicable. Never watch it, may it go down in history as the waste of time it is. When I wrote this review, this movie had less than 50 audience reviews. Clearly, more cast, crew and producers were writing reviews than the public.

Best movie out and it's not even close. Great acting, and great movie over all. A true David vs Goliath movie

A sports drama, without, well, any sports. As a 116 mins long sports drama, I was expecting to see at least one game. But instead it was scenes in and out of hotel rooms with some soap-opera melodramatics and twists. I will say though, this did feel very real, and I'm curious if this story was conceived as a slap in the face to college football et al. The performances by all were excellent and captivating, especially J. K. Simmons, and the only reason I sat through the entire film. The ending was underwhelming, and I never did get to see any game, but the film was still unique and well put together. This may not be for everyone, especially if you don't follow college football or sports in general. It's a generous 7/10 from me.

Wish it showed some actual football 🏈

Great movie, great actors!!

With emotional monologues in just about every other scene, the punch that "National Champions" hopes to deliver by the end of the movie feels a little worn out.

National Champions is a flawed but mostly engaging drama. The film is very well acted. Everyone is great, especially J.K. Simmons and Uzo Aduba. The film puts up an interesting debate about student athletes. I do think it can get a bit to preachy at times. The message hits home, but the journey to get their can sometimes be too melodramatic. Some of the twists are a bit ludicrous, but they do entertain. I also think the references to COVID were incredibly unnecessary and were a distraction to the narrative. Still, the film did keep me interested throughout. Overall, this was fine. It’s not the best sports movie but it mostly works. If you like football definitely give this a watch.

Every time I think they scraped as much as they can from the sports movie genre.....

So I'm a diehard College football fan. The entire plot about fighting for unionization and pay for university athletes is a big deal and needed. And this movie gets some staggering numbers across that is involved in the NCAA, college sports, money made and spent, and of course lack of it for the players. Where this movie fails so horribly is the HORRENDOUS plot twists that are not needed or WANTED to make this movie good. All of that RUIN the movie and the message it's trying to get across. And because of that it ruins the ending and the whole damn movie. Don't pay to stream this, wait until it's free. Avoid it in the theatre as it fails to pay off. The actors do a fine job- but the script twists kill everything the movie had going for it. Such a shame.

Greatest movie of the year