(July 1977, U.S.)
I saw this film in the summer of 1977 at the age of 10 before I ever saw the original one. I didn't feel all that lost in the story, though. That's simply just an FYI.
There are two things that have always puzzled me about this sequel. First, even after 33 years, I'm still not entirely sure what "IN BREAKING TRAINING" is supposed to mean. Anybody have any idea? Second, if you recall at the end of the first film, the Bears LOST the championship. So exactly how and when did they qualify to play the game that they play at the Houston Astrodome??? Clearly, there must have been some victory in the span of one year that the filmmakers conveniently decided to skip over.
Well, that loophole aside, the sequel proves to be just as entertaining as the first one, depite the traditional cliches of the underdog sports team defying all odds and challanges and going on to win the big game (yeah, that's what happens!). The subplot of Kelly Leak (played by Jackie Earle Haley) and his tense relationship with his estranged father (played very well by William Devane) is a touching piece of drama in an otherwise traditional wild family comedy. The film's also been toned down a bit in its profanity and raciness, which is probably just as well. Small children should NOT be hearing the things that little Tanner Boyle says!
Favorite line or dialogue:
Ahman Abdul-Rahim: "You betta back up, sucka! I feel good!"
By the way, one year later in the summer 1978, I was real hot to see the third Bears film, THE BAD NEWS BEARS GO TO JAPAN. But even at the age of 11, it was very easy to see what a terrible, terrible movie this was. What a waste of Tony Curtis' talent!
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