Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Jun 20, 2023

Although each cliché makes its regular, and chronological appearance, the actors are good, and the rapid pace doesn't give you any time to yawn. [Full review in Spanish]

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Feb 11, 2020 3/4

There's little doubt that Necessary Roughness ultimately fares a whole lot better than one might've initially anticipated...

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Andrea Beach Common Sense Media May 19, 2015 1/5

Awful '90s football story with hard hits, profanity, cliches

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John Hartl Seattle Times Jan 24, 2014 2/4

For every sharp one-liner about a pampered college football team that's "so corrupt it could use its yearbook photos as mug shots," there's a brain-numbing plot development that's straight out of a desperate sitcom.

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Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Jan 24, 2014

The film itself is a genial, slight, entirely predictable football comedy, but it serves Bakula well.

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Gary Thompson Philadelphia Daily News Jan 24, 2014 2.5/4

Necessary Roughness has the right kind of rambunctious spirit for this kind of picture -- even if it's not quite as inventive as similar movies like the recent baseball send-up, Major League.

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Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Jan 24, 2014 1/5

As they say in football, pass.

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Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer Jan 24, 2014 2/4

The shameless commercialism and hypocrisy of big-time college football is a target as inviting as a receiver wide open in the end zone. But the muddled huddle that is Necessary Roughness is one long fumble strewn with offensive lines.

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Adrian Turner Radio Times Jan 24, 2014 2/5

An American football comedy which replays all the situations and clichs from the baseball saga Major League, but with a minor-league cast and clumsy direction from Stan Dragoti.

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Jeff Rusnak South Florida Sun-Sentinel Jan 24, 2014

Too bad the lowbrow laughs were shortchanged by a tired script about misfits and loners banding together to gain a little self-respect.

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Kim Newman Empire Magazine Jan 24, 2014 2/5

In the end, and from the viewpoint of a country where polytechnics can barely afford books, it's hard not to identify with the dean who resents all the time and energy wasted on football in his supposed institute of learning.

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Mark Goodman People Magazine Jan 24, 2014

Suffice it to say that Necessary Roughness is not particularly rough and is certainly not necessary.

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Clifford Terry Chicago Tribune Jan 24, 2014 2.5/4

An amiable comedy.

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Variety Staff Variety Mar 26, 2009

This gridiron comedy piles up cliches the way Notre Dame racks up yardage, with an option-variety screenplay that promiscuously pitches the story in multiple directions.

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Susan Granger www.susangranger.com Sep 4, 2006 3/5

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jul 28, 2005 2/5

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Caffeinated Clint Moviehole May 6, 2005 3/5

Kicks goals both as a comedy and sports Pic

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Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Feb 7, 2005 2/5

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Carol Cling Las Vegas Review-Journal Feb 27, 2004 2/5

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Stephen Holden New York Times May 20, 2003

If the movie were a farcical free-for-all ridiculing the hyper-competitive world of college football, it might be amusing. But it can never decide whether to be an athletic answer to National Lampoon's Animal House or icky-inspirational like Rocky.

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