Although each cliché makes its regular, and chronological appearance, the actors are good, and the rapid pace doesn't give you any time to yawn. [Full review in Spanish]

| Jun 20, 2023

There's little doubt that Necessary Roughness ultimately fares a whole lot better than one might've initially anticipated...

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 11, 2020

Awful '90s football story with hard hits, profanity, cliches

| Original Score: 1/5 | May 19, 2015

For every sharp one-liner about a pampered college football team that's "so corrupt it could use its yearbook photos as mug shots," there's a brain-numbing plot development that's straight out of a desperate sitcom.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jan 24, 2014

The film itself is a genial, slight, entirely predictable football comedy, but it serves Bakula well.

| Jan 24, 2014

Necessary Roughness has the right kind of rambunctious spirit for this kind of picture -- even if it's not quite as inventive as similar movies like the recent baseball send-up, Major League.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jan 24, 2014

As they say in football, pass.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Jan 24, 2014

The shameless commercialism and hypocrisy of big-time college football is a target as inviting as a receiver wide open in the end zone. But the muddled huddle that is Necessary Roughness is one long fumble strewn with offensive lines.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jan 24, 2014

An American football comedy which replays all the situations and clichs from the baseball saga Major League, but with a minor-league cast and clumsy direction from Stan Dragoti.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 24, 2014

Too bad the lowbrow laughs were shortchanged by a tired script about misfits and loners banding together to gain a little self-respect.

| Jan 24, 2014

In the end, and from the viewpoint of a country where polytechnics can barely afford books, it's hard not to identify with the dean who resents all the time and energy wasted on football in his supposed institute of learning.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 24, 2014

Suffice it to say that Necessary Roughness is not particularly rough and is certainly not necessary.

| Jan 24, 2014

The cast and crew quite obviously had a good time making this movie and that sense of good cheer radiates from the screen.

| Jan 24, 2014

An amiable comedy.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jan 24, 2014

This gridiron comedy piles up cliches the way Notre Dame racks up yardage, with an option-variety screenplay that promiscuously pitches the story in multiple directions.

| Mar 26, 2009

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 4, 2006

Cue endless football montages, interspersed with a load of drivel about finding fulfilment, making real friends, and rediscovering the joys of pure sporting endeavour.

| Jan 26, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 28, 2005

Kicks goals both as a comedy and sports Pic

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 6, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 7, 2005