Still Here to Do the Super Bowl Shuffle

Read Time:6 Minute, 6 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Shuffle
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Genre: Documentary, Sports
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 40m
Director(s): Jeff Cameron
Where to Watch: available now on HBO Max

RAVING REVIEW: Some sports documentaries feel like they’re just there to inform, and others feel like coming home again. THE SHUFFLE easily falls into the second category, wrapping itself in Chicago pride and decades-old memories of a team that didn’t just win — they dominated, they entertained, and they embraced a swagger the NFL had never seen before (or since.) For anyone who grew up with the 1985 Bears as mythology or who still references “The Super Bowl Shuffle” as if it were a sacred text, this short documentary plays like a time capsule cracked open at exactly the right moment. And with the Bears finally having a good, if not great season again (not on the level of the ‘85 Bears, but beating the Super Bowl champs from last year ain’t nothing), watching this film feels like a celebration more than a history lesson.

The documentary wastes no time reminding you just how unique the ’85 Bears were. Even people who weren’t alive at the time know about that iconic rap video. That alone tells you something about the cultural footprint of the team — a defensive powerhouse recording a song before they even secured their Super Bowl bid, daring the league to try and stop them. THE SHUFFLE revisits that daring with clear affection. The film’s tone is built from equal parts admiration and awe, and it becomes impossible not to get swept up in it.

Seeing Willie Gault, Mike Singletary, Jim McMahon, and Gary Fencik reflect on the making of the video is the heart of this documentary. They’re older now, grounded, reflective, but still fiercely proud of what they accomplished. Their interviews have a warmth that gives the entire film its backbone. Singletary in particular feels like the soul of the piece, and the film leans into his leadership in a way that reinforces why the Bears’ locker room worked as well as it did. He wasn’t just a great linebacker — he was the gravitational center of that team.

The behind-the-scenes footage is where the nostalgia hits hardest. Anyone who’s watched the original video enough times can’t help but smile watching these players stumble through choreography, joke around, and momentarily drop the intimidating personas they carried on the field. It humanizes legends without diminishing them. Seeing Singletary try to wrangle the team, or watching McMahon and Payton go missing during the initial shoot, feels like glimpses into a private world fans rarely get access to. These moments aren’t framed as gossip or criticism — they’re affectionate reminders of how personality-driven the team truly was.

The documentary also digs into the internal debate surrounding the song’s timing. Recording a victory anthem weeks before the Bears had officially locked down their Super Bowl and a week after their only loss of the season created tension even within the organization. Was it arrogance or confidence? THE SHUFFLE lets you draw your own conclusion, though the players’ pride makes the answer feel obvious. What comes through clearly is the team’s unity. Even when things were chaotic or their season took unexpected stumbles, they trusted each other completely. The video wasn't just a marketing stunt — it was a bonding moment disguised as entertainment.

What makes the film especially charming is its grounding in Chicago culture. The documentary remembers how deeply the Bears meant to the city, especially during that era. This wasn’t just a football team; this was an identity. The Shuffle wasn’t just a video; it was a moment of collective joy that stretched far beyond football. The film captures that without ever overselling it. Instead, it treats the moment with respect, letting the images and interviews do the work. But the strongest reaction you’ll likely have — especially as a diehard Bears fan — is simple: this should have been longer.

At only 40 minutes, the film hits the emotional highs but can’t explore every angle. The impact on pop culture, the players’ reactions to the backlash, the production quirks, the way the video has aged, and how it influenced sports branding — all of these ideas are touched on but not fully explored. You’re left wanting a deeper dive, maybe a full feature that could stretch its legs and dig into the significance of the Shuffle as more than a novelty. It deserved a more expansive treatment, especially with access to archival footage and key players. Honestly, a multipart series would have been even better.

The documentary succeeds because of how it makes you feel. For fans, especially those who have lived through seasons defined by heartbreak, rebuilding, and chaotic quarterback rotations, this documentary is a shot of pure joy. It reminds you that the Bears once stood as the most exciting team in sports — not just because they could shut down offenses, but because they dared to be larger than life. They dared to have fun. They dared to create something weird, charming, and unforgettable. The documentary taps into that emotional space with ease. Whether you watched the original video on VHS, caught it on a replay years later, or grew up hearing it referenced by every Chicago fan over 40, this short film does exactly what it promises: it rekindles a spark.

In the end, the documentary lands comfortably at a 4 out of 5. It brings the memories back with clarity, charm, and genuine affection. It leaves you smiling, humming the song again (which was oddly underutilized as background music), and wishing the Bears would drop another wildly overconfident music video just for old times’ sake. And more importantly, it makes you grateful that the legacy of that team — arguably the most entertaining roster in NFL history — still has the power to unite fans decades later.

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[photo courtesy of HBO DOCUMENTARY FILMS, NFL FILMS]

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