Minus Matthau and O'Neal, but returning pretty much everybody else, this sequel to the 1976 hit is probably more enjoyable to me because I miss it in the first run while I had seen the original several times. It's more bratty behavior from the surprise little league team of the 1976 Southern California summer season. For some reason, Buttermaker (Matthau) is gone and new coach Dolph Sweet is in, but he doesn't hit it off with the team, not given a break, and they basically fire him, like little league kids would have that power in a league financed by adults.
The team now has the opportunity for National championship, going to the Houston astrodome, so Jackie Earle Haley, the oldest member of the league gets a van somehow and he drives them from L.A. to Houston without any coach whatsoever. 45 minutes into the film, William Devane shows up, and he has a connection to Haley which explains a lot of the kid's anger.
Jimmy Baio is a new addition here, basically playing a replica of Hayley's character, serving little purpose. There are some very funny moments, and the efforts to flesh out the kids is a little better. The crudeness has been toned down a little bit even though there is still some cursing and a bit of racist ranting from the little angry player. Veteran character actor Clifton James has a good minor role as the apparent owner of the astrodome. "Little League Wars" may not have been the blockbuster hit of the summer of '77, and hasn't stood the test of time as well, but it's a good time filler that won't tax your brain.
The team now has the opportunity for National championship, going to the Houston astrodome, so Jackie Earle Haley, the oldest member of the league gets a van somehow and he drives them from L.A. to Houston without any coach whatsoever. 45 minutes into the film, William Devane shows up, and he has a connection to Haley which explains a lot of the kid's anger.
Jimmy Baio is a new addition here, basically playing a replica of Hayley's character, serving little purpose. There are some very funny moments, and the efforts to flesh out the kids is a little better. The crudeness has been toned down a little bit even though there is still some cursing and a bit of racist ranting from the little angry player. Veteran character actor Clifton James has a good minor role as the apparent owner of the astrodome. "Little League Wars" may not have been the blockbuster hit of the summer of '77, and hasn't stood the test of time as well, but it's a good time filler that won't tax your brain.