Anyone who grew up in a small, football centered town can relate. Not just to the sports aspect but also to the shenanigans of small town life as well. Though it does have the cliche' win-on-the-last-play ending of every sports movie it really doesn't matter. The movie still wins!

In the small town of West Canaan, Texas, Jonathan "Mox" Moxon (James Van Der Beek) is an academically gifted backup quarterback for the 1A high school Varsity football team, the West Canaan Coyotes. Despite his relative popularity at school, easy friendships with other players, and relationship with girlfriend Jules Harbor (Amy Smart), Mox is dissatisfied with his life. Wanting to leave Texas and attend Brown University, he constantly clashes with his football-obsessed father Sam, and dreads playing under legendary coach Bud Kilmer (Jon Voight), a verbally abusive, controlling authority who believes in winning at all costs. Kilmer's philosophy finally takes its toll when he pushes the Coyotes' star quarterback Lance Harbor (Paul Walker), Mox's best friend and Jules' older brother, into taking painkilling shots into an injured knee. This leads to Lance injuring the knee further during a game, partly because Kilmer had forced offensive lineman Billy Bob to continue playing despite a concussion. At the hospital, the doctors, appalled at the massive amount of scar tissue found under his knee, explain that recovery will take at least a year and a half, costing Lance his football scholarship to Florida State. Mox, who has accompanied Lance, is shocked when Kilmer denies his role in Lance's injury, when in fact he ordered the trainer to provide the painkillers. Needing a new quarterback, Kilmer reluctantly names Mox to replace Lance as team captain and starting quarterback, which brings unexpected dividends for Mox... Rotten Tomatoes consensus states, "This is a predictable football movie that lacks intensity." Roger Ebert noted in his Chicago Sun-Times review that, "Scenes work, but they don't pile up and build momentum." ReelViews online film critic James Berardinelli's summary was that although it "takes a worthwhile detour or two, it ultimately finds its way back to the well-worn track of its genre." Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly also gave a positive review, remarking that while the film "has its shallow gags and cliché characters…it also creates a vivid portrait of a small-town community in the grip of an obsession". (via Wikipedia) I saw "Varsity Blues" many years ago, I guess when it came out, and I thought I should give it a shot again after all these years. It's a truly cliché ridden, quite dumb, shallow and formulaic film to be honest. All the clichés are ticked in this film and it's not a surprise since it´s a M온라인카지노추천 production of the 90s. Despite the fact that the script does try to shine a light on the pressures of adolescence and how a football-obsessed community pushes their players over the limit and endangering their health, this is done in such an average way with truly wobbly acting performances based on a wobbly script. The fact is also that James Van Der Beek in the lead simply can't handle the role as Jonathan "Mox" Moxon as he is simply not believable. He is still Dawson no matter what I am afraid to say and his Texas dialect doesn't fool anyone. Yes, some football sequences are solid and some of the soundtrack songs are very good for sure, but that is hardly enough to give this film more than a 2 out of 5.

Nothing groundbreaking here, a bit of fun from the late 90's. It's an above average teen football flick with enough to keep you engaged. Well shot and some memorable scenes. This movie caught me at the right time all those years ago and remains one of my sentimental faves, even if it isn't more than average for most.

This movie was already shitty but it totally lost me when Scott Caan said "All women are panty droppers" and "You just gotta give them a couple Vicodin, a Percocet and a couple beers and they'll drop their panties". I've never heard anything more disgusting and weird from a major movie. I wouldn't be surprised if this instigated drugging, getting girls drunk and raping them on college campuses.

Great movie, better on rewatch. It was ok back in the day because we were flooded with HS Movies, but I watched it again recently and it’s gotten better with age. Actors like Scott Caan and JVB make it even better

Overall it's a great football movie that captures the essence of highschool football is like a holiday for a small town and what life is like in highschool. Certain characters can be overbearing to watch at some points and the comedy doesn't hit at some points. But the biggest positive out of this movie is that it has a lot of heart.

Not the most well acted film but not bad either. It had a good a good story, was well directed and had a lot of heart, all of which made for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Such a trash movie...20 minutes into it I already hated Vanderbeek and Voight...characters were so formulaic and they didn't even try to be more. Crazy awful movie!

Two words, TONE WHIPLASH. It can't make up it's mind if it's a coming of age comedy like "Porky's" or a sports melodrama like "Any Given Sunday". I don't mind a drama to have a sense of humor, in fact I prefer it. But not when the drama comes out of nowhere then stops without warning. Plus the sheriff, the law is afraid of the High School football coach. Which is so insanely stupid it's not even funny. He's the coach, not the mobster. Plus, the father trying to force the child to follow in his footsteps cliché. Plus there is a ton of underage drinking. I know football stars get away with a ton in these spit towns but I think in this movie they would get away with murder. But it is slightly better than "Any Given Sunday". But not by much.

Ali Larter's portrayal of Darcy Sears in "Varsity Blues" is a standout performance that shines in this coming-of-age sports comedy-drama film. Despite being surrounded by a talented cast, Larter manages to capture the attention of the audience with her effortless charm and natural acting ability. She is a breath of fresh air in a movie filled with testosterone and football, and her character's story arc adds depth to the film. Larter's chemistry with her co-star James Van Der Beek is undeniable, and their on-screen relationship feels authentic and genuine. Her character, Darcy, is a cheerleader who is tired of the small-town life and wants to leave West Canaan to start anew. Larter's performance perfectly captures the frustration and desperation of a young woman who feels trapped by her circumstances. What sets Larter apart in this film is her ability to convey so much emotion without saying much at all. Her subtle facial expressions and body language speak volumes, and she is able to convey a sense of vulnerability and strength at the same time. When Darcy attempts to seduce Van Der Beek's character with a whipped cream "bikini," Larter makes the scene both playful and poignant. Overall, "Varsity Blues" is an entertaining and engaging film that has gained a cult following over the years. Ali Larter's performance is a major reason why the film is so memorable, and her talent shines through in every scene she is in. It is no surprise that Larter went on to have a successful career in Hollywood, and her performance in "Varsity Blues" is a testament to her acting ability.

Extremely flawed movie, but the intrigue I have with Texas highschool football outweighs it 2.9

It's hard to argue in favor of the movie's artistic merit, but underdog sports movie is most definitely my favorite subgenre and I've still yet to see a football one that I didn't like. The only dated part for me was knowing that people aren't really out playing injured with cortisone shots anymore; the comedy and the plot itself all held up well 22 years later. Beek's character shouldn't have embarrassed his dad at the party, but I liked the rest of the cast of characters!

Impressive reality of high school football. Both the game and players alike. Real looking athletes and hits. Story is predictable but probable.

For the most part, Varsity Blues is toothless, though it does capture the hazy, fanatical feel of Texas high school football and definitely has some elements of a cult sports film.

This is one fun movie. And it also has a great performance by Jon Voight.

Ok mediocre but cringe football high school movie starring who knows and who cares and I legit already forgot about this movie a day after I watched this.

Fun and sometimes dark sports film with a likable cast and some good performances.

Ok mediocre but cringe football high school movie starring who knows and who cares and I legit already forgot about this movie a day after I watched this.

90s classic with all the football and teenage cliches about growing up in a small town

"Lacks Intensity," says RT. How wrong is that? Well very, in terms of mainstream high school FB films this is one of the better ones by far. It's nowhere as pretentious as Remember the Titans or cheesy, it's a realsitic and fun yet brutal at times look into high school football and how it's both fun and rough to deal with, more on the former. This movie is a 90's flick to it's core but it's unashamed of it. It manages to never let up and make the most of what it had. Vanderbeek manages to work extremly well and has that QB poise to him. All of the players do. Larter steals the show as the babe of the movie.. damn it's a shame she never had more big sexpot roles. Voight's the key that makes the movie work. He's such a dick that no matter what he does it's rievting and when he finally goes down at the end it's gold. One of his better roles. He works well with the then kids and doesn't steal. In terms of Football films it's def in the top 5 with '74 Longest Yard and the Replacements.. RIP Billy Bob!