12 Mighty Orphans

Who could resist a Depression-era sports drama involving Texas orphans and a gentle, do-gooder head football coach named Rusty Russell?

It's an up-from-struggle story tailor-made for an old-fashioned, family-friendly, earnest, feel-good movie, and that's exactly what Roberts delivers,

12 Mighty Orphans and 1,200 not-so-mighty clichés.

"12 Mighty Orphans" tries so hard to be inspirational that it trips itself up on its way out to the field. Great story, but the telling is second-string.

"12 Mighty Orphans" is a feel-good football film. It's just not very good. But at times, it is good enough.

Nothing that happens in "12 Mighty Orphans" is unexpected, but these two pros still react with infectious wonder as the messages they send to their students take root and then sprout.

If formulaic sports movies based-on-true-stories are your bag, you'll enjoy 12 Mighty Orphans just fine.

12 Mighty Orphans is a welcomed addition to the sports film genre. It is a feel-good indie film that is sure to find its audience with its performances and overall message of hope.



12 Mighty Orphans is a ragamuffin to Texas football glory tale that’s a welcome surprise. Ty Robert’s film earns its “incredible” true story tagline.

Football? Orphans? Why this movie could practically write itself! And if it did, it would probably do a better job than this one's trio of screenwriters.