Underdogs (2013 Argentine film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Underdogs
Original Argentine release poster
Directed by	Juan José Campanella
Produced by	Juan José Campanella Mercedes Gamero Gastón Gorali Mikel Lejarza Jorge Estrada Mora Victor Glynn Manuel Polanco
Screenplay by	Juan José Campanella Gastón Gorali Eduardo Sacheri
Story by	Eduardo Sacheri Gastón Gorali Axel Kuschevatzky Juan José Campanella
Starring	Horacio Fontova Fabián Gianola Lucía Maciel David Masajnik Pablo Rago Diego Ramos Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Coco Sily
Music by	Emilio Kauderer
Cinematography	Félix Monti
Editing by	Juan José Campanella Abel Goldfarb
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	July 18, 2013 (2013-07-18) (Argentina)
Running time	106 minutes (Argentina/Spain) 97 minutes (UK)
Country	Argentina Spain
Language	Spanish
Budget	$21 million
Money made	$34 million

Underdogs is a fun 3D animated comedy film from Argentina. It's also known as Metegol in Argentina and The Unbeatables in the United Kingdom. The movie was co-written and directed by Juan José Campanella, who has won an Oscar for his work.

The story is based on a short story called Memoirs of a Right Winger by an Argentine writer named Roberto Fontanarrosa. The film was a big success in Argentina when it came out in 2013. It even set a record for how many people watched it on its first day!

Underdogs was the most expensive Argentine film ever made at the time, costing about $21 million. It was also the most expensive animated movie from Latin America. Later, in 2014, a company called The Weinstein Company bought the rights to show the movie in North America. It was released on DVD in July 2016 and was also available on Netflix in the United States.

The movie has different famous voices depending on where you watch it. In the American version, you can hear stars like Ariana Grande, Nicholas Hoult, and Matthew Morrison. The UK version features voices from actors like Rupert Grint and Ralf Little.

The Story of Underdogs

The movie begins with a father telling his son, Matty, a bedtime story. He tells Matty to use his imagination as he listens.

Jake's Big Challenge

Many years ago, there was a shy boy named Jake. He was the best foosball player in his small, quiet town. Jake secretly liked a girl named Laura, who worked at the local bar. One day, a bully named Ace came to the bar and challenged Jake to a foosball game. Jake didn't want to play at first, but he ended up winning! Everyone at the bar cheered for him.

Outside the bar, Ace met a manager who offered to help him become a famous football player.

Ace's Return

Seven years later, Jake's peaceful life changed completely. Ace had become the best football player in the world. He returned to their small town to get revenge for his only loss – that foosball game against Jake.

Now famous, Ace announced that he had bought the entire town! He wanted to build a giant football stadium. But more than that, he wanted to own the foosball table where he lost to Jake and destroy the bar where he was defeated. Ace also wanted to win Laura's affection.

A Magical Team Forms

With his town, the bar, and even his spirit feeling crushed, Jake discovered something amazing. The little foosball players from the table could talk and plan! Together, they decided to go on an adventure to save Laura and their town.

On their journey, the foosball players and Jake became a real team. Ace turned the town into a huge stadium and created his own football team. Jake, with the help of his new foosball friends, also formed a team to challenge Ace.

The Final Game

In the big game, Ace's team quickly took the lead. But the magical foosball players helped Jake's team tie the score. With only seconds left, Ace purposely hurt Jake, making it impossible for Jake to stop him from scoring the winning goal.

Ace celebrated his victory, but the crowd didn't cheer for him. Instead, they praised Jake for his good sportsmanship. Ace's fans turned against him because he was selfish, and his manager left him. Even Ace's teammates congratulated Jake. In the end, Jake and Laura reunited. Jake, Laura, and their friends built a new town to honor their victory.

The Secret Continues

Jake, now the father telling the story, finished and left Matty's room. But Matty couldn't sleep. He heard voices from the shed outside. When he went to investigate, he found Jake and the foosball players talking at the foosball table! Happy to see them, Matty joined their secret conversation.

Meet the Characters

See also

In Spanish: Metegol (película) para niños