Underrated

I was the same way as a kid, thinking this to be the Rocky II of the series (big loss, then winning the title). Plus I fixated on the Houston Astros for my baseball card collection in my early teens, so the movie had that connection with the team going. Then my son got into little league and they gave me the box set about ten years ago, so I got to relive the first two with him (we skipped Japan). Finally, you get the great William Devane and Jackie Earl Haley working it out in the freaking AstroDome. I even got to tour the dome in '81 and Don Sutton tossed me a ball. I have a 'Stros hat in my office while I type deep in Red Sox county. So that's my connection to this little piece of 70's history, a place where we'll always Let Them Play.

I, too, enjoy this movie whenever I stumble on it while channel surfing in the middle of the night (much like Tanner does in the middle of the night at the team's much too cramped Houston motel room while he is visibly moved by the "Gipper" speech on some random UHF channeling ). For me, it's "HBO Signature 2 in HD" at 3am.

I couldn't sleep, so I decided to re-visit this sequel again and as I am watching the last few mins, I realize I watched the whole movie again. Jesus, what is wrong with me? (I hate you Platinum Tier Premium All Access Movie Package!) By the way, what a ridiculous 1st world problem to struggle over. Anyway, what struck me differently this time around was/is Devanes' ever-present "field army jacket" (recall, this movie was released in 1977).

So, presumably it was filmed in '76 or maybe even in '75. Obviously overlapping with the end of our Vietnam "peace keeping" mission. And as I am sitting here watching Devane in the obvious political-statement-jacket during the last stages of this widely unpopular war, I am surprised I didn't see this or think about it the countless times earlier I (re-)watched this.

Or perhaps it isn't worth dwelling over at all? I always lean towards the idea that anything filmed has a reason to be in the frame and yes, even "fashion" shots on a 'B movie' is likely mulled over by the director/writers/producers/etc. So, why was there a conscious decision to have Devane wear this polarizing jacket throughout a light pre-teen comedy? Granted, this is more of a "coming-of-age" film vs. campy comedy. Your thoughts on this narrow issue would be most appreciated. Thank you.

Just rewatched this (thanks MLB Channel), and yeah, it IS underrated. I remember it being a bit of a letdown orignially, but that was the loss of Matthau and Foster. On its own merits, the sequel was charming and often genuinely funny.