Up, Growing Apart, and Growing Into Something New

 Bad News Bears in Breaking Training is one of those sequels that didn’t try to repeat the magic of the first film — and honestly, that’s okay. Walter Matthau and little Amanda were completely written out of the script, and instead of trying to force a copy‑and‑paste version of the original, the filmmakers shifted gears. What we got was a Father and Son story, and I’m perfectly fine with that. Sometimes life hands you a new chapter, not a repeat of the last one.

The Bears themselves aren’t quite the filthy‑mouthed scamps we remember. They’re still rough around the edges, still kids trying to figure out the world, but the tone is different. And yes — that does look like Scott Baio’s brother in there. The seventies were full of those “Wait… is that who I think it is?” moments.

Hollywood clearly saw potential in the Bears. You can tell they were testing the waters for more — maybe a small series, maybe a franchise. And while this sequel isn’t a masterpiece, it’s not bad if you’re watching it as a “guy film,” or even better, a Father and Son film. Growing up as a teen or pre‑teen boy is tough. Trust me, I’ve been there — the awkwardness, the bravado, the magazines hidden under the mattress, the whole messy journey. Just not a smoker, thank you. The seventies tried hard to make that look cool.

What stands out in this movie is how it brushes against real life. Kids trying to grow up too fast. Adults trying to reconnect. Mistakes being made. Lessons being learned. It’s not the same Bears, but it’s still the Bears — still that scrappy spirit, still that underdog charm.

Breaking Training isn’t about perfection. It’s about transition. It’s about the moment when childhood starts slipping away and you’re not quite sure what comes next. And for that, it earns its place in the Bears legacy.