Laidbackers
Laidbackers

Laidbackers

2019Movie58 minJapanese

In order to take over her grandmother's Dagashi store, art student Kumi Honamanuma moved to Kyoto. She met Harami Mino, K Kusanagi, Mai Haisaka, and a dog who lives in the store, which supposed to be empty. Kumi ended up living with these girls, who claim that they are heroes reincarnated to contemporary period to chase after the demon king. Harami and others seem to live in a peaceful life with no missions to to do anymore, Ran, who was demon king in the past and appears to be an elementary school girl from failing to reincarnate, one day. The story begins with Ran requesting to collect demon king's fragments.

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Insights

IMDb5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes35%
Metacritic40/100
Google Users65%
Director: Michael HoffmanGenres: Comedy, Sport

Plot Summary

A group of former high school football stars, now in their late 30s, decide to get back together for one last game to recapture their glory days. Facing the challenges of age, career, and family, they must overcome their physical limitations and personal differences to prove they still have what it takes on the field. The film explores themes of friendship, perseverance, and the bittersweet reality of growing older.

Critical Reception

Laidbackers received a mixed to negative reception from critics and audiences. While some appreciated its lighthearted approach to nostalgia and the camaraderie among the cast, many found the plot predictable and the humor to be largely hit-or-miss. The film struggled to find a significant audience, with many reviews citing a lack of originality in its sports comedy formula.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its relatable themes of aging and friendship, but criticized for its uninspired plot.
  • The humor often falls flat, relying on predictable gags and stereotypes.
  • Despite a few strong performances, the film ultimately feels like a generic sports comedy.

Google audience: Audiences generally found 'Laidbackers' to be an amusing, albeit forgettable, comedy. Many enjoyed the nostalgic elements and the chemistry between the lead actors, appreciating the lighthearted take on middle-aged athletes trying to relive their glory days. However, a significant portion of viewers felt the movie lacked originality and that its comedic attempts were inconsistent, leading to a generally lukewarm reception.

Fun Fact

The film's director, Michael Hoffman, is also known for directing other sports-related comedies like 'The Longest Yard' (2005).

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