I’m working on a “creative” project that involves the theme of team building and thought I’d abuse the privilege of being a charter member here at the Straight Dope Message Boards by asking for the titles of movies where people come together and form successful teams. So far my all poor brain has come up with the Lord of the Rings, which is a little obvious, The Bad News Bears, which is old, the Magnificent Seven (ditto), CSI Miami and a bunch of football movies that I didn’t like — a powerful testament to my enthusiasm for this assignment.
Fortunately, I don’t have to sully my hands too often with this kind of stuff or I’d be trying to connive a way to die that would, for the sake of my family, at least have the appearance of being accidental.
My need, truth be told, is downright petty, almost humiliating. Still, here’s a chance to show off how incredibly au currant (down) you are with popular culture so that myself and others can admire your high level of sophistication while also forcing us to desperately cast about for some rationale to stave off the inevitable feelings of cultural inadequacy (how’s that for brown-nosing?).
By the way, this is for a one-time presentation for about ten people so I wouldn’t worry about incurring the wrath of corporate lawyers.
Well, there’s Major League. Or almost any sports movie, really. Ocean’s Eleven, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, or any of a number of other heist movies. I’m not sure if the movie followed the book closely, but if it did The First $20 Million Is Always The Hardest would fit too.
There was a comedy about 4 escaped mental patients that came out a while ago called “The Dream Team” that I think would be perfect for your presentation. Aside from the obvious jokes about these peoples’ conditions, it shows how they are each able to buck up and work together to overcome their common problems.
Other team movies that come to mind are “Slap Shot” (late 70’s) and “Miracle” (sorry about the hockey theme ;-). I also think “Major League” also has good examples of individuals working on their weaknesses for the good of the team. And another older movie that comes to mind is “The Longest Yard”.
Going back even further, what I think of as one of the best examples of delegation of jobs and organization is “The Great Escape”.
IIRC, three made it to safety but escape wasn’t the real goal. Bartlett and Ramsey just wanted to keep the Germans busy looking for everyone and anyone who managed to avoid getting caught, bully for them.
Both X-Men movies would fit the bill. There you’ve got an established team that’s integrating new members (Wolverine and Nightcrawler). Now if only they’d give us that Danger Room sequence!
And let’s not forget it’s western remake: The Magnificent Seven…which I bought at Circuit City last Friday for $5
I’m loving it. The score will be stuck in my head for months, and the dialogue is awesome:
while a battle is taking place between the bandits, and the magnificent seven, O’Reilly crouches down, and leans against a rock to keep an eye open for the enemy. Three boys from the village he’s protecting come running up behind him. O’Relly turns around…
O’Reilly: Get back! Get back! Move on! What’s the matter with you?! Well, get down or stay down!..Crazy kids…you might have got hurt.
Village boy 1: So might you.
O’Reilly: It’s not the same thing!!!..This is my work.
Village boy 3: It’s our work too.
Village Boy 1: Everyone tells us, run, hide, but we are not afraid.
Village Boy 2: We’re very brave.
Village Boy 1: We had a game, we drew straws, and we got you.
O’Reilly: You got me? What do you mean “you got me”?
Village Boy 1: If you get killed, we take the rifle and avenge you.
Village Boy 2: And we see to it there’s always fresh flowers on your grave.
O’Reilly: That’s a mighty big comfort.
Village Boy 2: I told you he’ll appreciate that!
O’Reilly: Well, now don’t you kids be too disappointed if your plans don’t work out.
Village Boy 1: We won’t. If you stay alive, we’ll be just as happy.
Village Boy 2: Maybe even happier.
Village Boy 1: Maybe. Britt has just shot a fleeing bandit off his horse
Chico: Ah, that was the greatest shot I’ve ever seen.
Britt: The worst! I was aiming at the horse.
The Undertaker: I don’t like it, no sir. I’ve always treated every man the same: just as another, future customer.
Henry: Well in that case, get that hearse rolling.
The Undertaker: I can’t, my driver’s quit!
Robert: He’s prejudiced too, huh?
The Undertaker: Well, when it comes to a chance of getting his head blown off, he’s downright bigoted.
As for other team movies…would The Matrix count? How about The Usual Suspects?
