The Rookie

My favorite films are those which are based on an interesting true story, and are well made. "The Rookie" fits that bill, and I rate it very highly. At first glance it appears to be about getting to play baseball. In fact, it is about making your dreams come true, and the power of friendship. Baseball just happens to be the subject matter. The first one-hour movie is about a 10-member high school team in West Texas that barely manages to win one game each year. It is about their coach inspiring them to become the district champs and go to the state tournament in 1999. The second one-hour movie comes about from a "deal" the kids made with the coach. "If we win district, then you have to go to a tryout with a professional baseball team." They do, so he does. And to his and everyone else's surprise, his 85-mph fastball as a 20-year-old has become a 98-mph one as a 35-year-old. The films hints that it might have been divine intervention, a prayer to St Rita, the patron of the impossible. Might have been!! Dennis Quaid is a bit older than 35, but he does a good job and is believable as science teacher, coach, and finally a surprised big-league pitcher in Arlington, Tx stadium, where he strikes out his very first big-league batter. The real Jim played two seasons, not particularly distinguished, but that point is way secondary. The journey, and the way he made it, with support from family and his baseball kids is what this film is all about. The DVD is very nice, with a great picture and decent use of the 5.1 Dolby surround sound. Extras include footage of the real Jim, some original footage of his playing days, and his narration and re-enactment of his first trip to a big-league mound. Great stuff! Plus a few, moderately interesting deleted scenes explained by the director.

One of the best films I have ever seen! An inspirational true story of a man who gave up his dream of making the "Big Leagues" many years ago due to a severe shoulder injury who coached his high school team and was also teaching science. His shoulder had healed over the years and he was able to throw batting practice without pain and his team was amazed at how hard he could throw. They made a deal with him that if they won their conference and went to State, he would have to pursue his dream (long ago given up) by going to a major league tryout. He thought this was a safe bet, since the team had started the season off on a losing note. The team got hot, won the conference and he reluctantly followed thru on his end of the bet. The amazing fact was how much harder he was able to throw now, as compared with how he threw many years ago. The movie left out the fact that when his shoulder was operated on many years earlier, a large bone spur was removed and he no longer had shoulder pain (although he had already retired from baseball) The movie made his new founded ability to throw 98 miles per hour (he could only throw 85 in his prime) seem miraculous in nature. Even though it is remarkable, the real Jimmy Morris was a muscular athlete who probably was limited by this large bone spur in his shoulder that wasn't removed till after he retired. Other than that, the movie follows his true life quite accurately and Dennis Quaid was excellent playing Jimmy Morris. The fact that he was the oldest major league rookie since Satchel Paige makes for an interesting story and it is truly a remarkable, uplifing movie.---definitely 4 stars out of 4 in my opinion

This is one of those movies that I can say is well-crafted, yet I can also say I was pretty bored through most of it. "The Rookie" is a Disney production, yet it doesn't have that Disney feel. And it doesn't feel G-rated either. In fact, this movie does a fine job at avoiding overused cliches in the genre of sports dramas and stands on its own two feet. The premise of a high school science teacher suddenly becoming a major league ballplayer seems a little far-fetched, but it's a true story! So I can't complain it was unconvincing. The performances are terrific. Dennis Quaid is good in virtually every movie he does, and he again delivers a subtle, convincing performance. Brian Cox is great as his workaholic father, who tries to convince him that there's more to life than baseball. Rachel Griffiths is perfectly cast as Quaid's wife, who also tries to discourage him from baseball. Though Griffiths is Australian, I don't think any American actress could've played her role better, and she perfectly dons a Texas accent. I have few bad things to say about "The Rookie" other than it was long and dull. I didn't enjoy the overuse of country music on the soundtrack, though I know that it was used simply to give the movie a Texas feel. You can't expect the soundtrack to include Metallica! And though the movie does a pretty good job at avoiding cliches, there are still a few that exist. Like what I was talking about earlier, about Quaid's wife and father discouraging him from baseball. There's one scene where his Dad gives him a speech/monologue--standing inside the house, many feet away from his son--about how there's more to life than baseball. Done with his speech, he closes the door and goes back into the house. No "Goodbye son" or anything like that. Then he comes home and his wife gives him the same speech, only she goes outside to the porch to apologize to him minutes later and they give each other the "you were right, I was wrong" run-around. Another problem is the film takes too much time stressing the fact that Jimmy Morris is a brilliant pitcher. I think if the director cut out most of his pitching scenes, the movie would be about 85 minutes. Now, I love that scene in which he pulls off to the side of the road to practice pitching by throwing the ball towards a meter, which measures the speeds of passing cars. The meter reads 76 MPH. Then when he goes to pick up the ball, we watch as it changes to 96 MPH. Once we watch that scene, we already know that he's a brilliant pitcher, we don't need it pounded into our skulls. I don't even know how good of a batter he is, because they never show him at bat! There's a good deal of things I give this movie credit for, but all in all it just doesn't deliver. Sure, it doesn't have the formula cliches of last year's "Hardball," but it also doesn't have the charm and fun of "Hardball." I wasn't uplifted, nor entertained, so this movie pretty much left me cold. My score: 5 (out of 10)

This was truly a great movie. I loved Dennis Quaid and the entire baseball team. Jay Hernandez is also a very likable actor that is very enjoyable to watch. The chemistry the team had once they got things together was spectacular, it just goes to show what you what can accomplish when minds unite as one with one goal. This team came back from the brink, having multiple losing seasons to winning just about everything. I love movies like this as they really are very inspirational. On top of that, Dennis Quaid's character getting a place in the major leagues. You can't do anything, but root for this guy. It just seems like when someone is supposed to do something, they are going to do that. Things just happen to fall into place and makes everything click. Based on a true story, this film will really make you think about the fact that "nothing is impossible."

The Rookie is directed by John Lee Hancock and written by Mike Rich. It stars Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Jay Hernandez, Brian Cox, Angus T. Jones, Rick Gonzalez and Angelo Spizzirri. Music is by Carter Burwell and cinematography by John Schwartzman. Out of Walt Disney Productions, The Rookie is based on the true story of 35 year old teacher and school baseball coach Jim Morris (Quaid). Who having thought his chance of making it to the major leagues in Baseball had long since gone, his minor league career curtailed by a shoulder injury, got that second chance and became the oldest rookie around. What an absolute treat! A sports movie that inspires and uplifts whilst never resorting to cloying tactics or Hollywood sprucing story additions. First off the bat is that the film is unhurried in pace, time is afforded Morris and his family as well as the key issues that lead to his moment of fulfilment. Secondly is the bare honesty of the story, and that of the portrayals by a wonderful Quaid (at 47 here playing a 35 year old) and a likewise Griffiths. We are not going to be arriving at some monumental cliff-hanger finale (as per most other sports movies), history tells us that Morris made a minimal impact in his two years in the majors, this takes us to an earthy and achievable goal being attained. Just prior to Morris making his bow at Arlington Stadium, we have seen the love of a husband and father who is separated from his family. He's out on the road playing ball, the emotional tug pulling him everywhere. There's money worries back home as well, really Jim would be better served back there, surely? All of this sounds like a recipe for sappy crappy time, but it's not, it's all beautifully handled by director and actors alike. The baseball scenes are smooth, the score and photography pristine in their execution (it's a Blu-ray must have), there is just no waste here. There's a rich human story to be told and wasting time on incidentals would be wrong, and Hancock knows this and never puts a foot wrong. Heart warming and impeccably mounted, The Rookie is one of the greatest baseball films out there. But, and here's the thing, it's as much about life and its challenges as it is about fast balls and hot-dogs. 9/10

This is one of my favorite sports movies. Dennis Quaid is moving and convincing in the part of a man who gave up his dream of being a baseball pitcher when his arm gave out on him. As a high school coach, he challenges his players to win the division championship by telling them he'll try out for a baseball team if they do. They win (partly because of all the batting practice they take with a coach who can pitch over 90 miles an hour), and he keeps his side of the bargain--and is signed! If you have ever decided to try something new and terrifying as an adult, Jim Morris's story will resonate with you. It is moving and inspiring, and the man's relationships ring true. Inspiration is not the only reason I rent this one, though. Dennis Quaid is just downright purdy in the part, and a baseball movie with a good-looking man changing a diaper is my idea of heaven. Ladies, if you feel the way I do, check this one out.

I can't believe all the positive comments I'm reading here. Folks, this is one bad movie. After watching this movie, I was insulted and angry that this tripe had been foisted on me. I want my three hours back, Mr Eisner! Yeah you could say this movie is for kids -- certainly anyone over the age of ten who doesn't want to put their shoe through the screen would have to be brain-dead -- but what kid wants to look at scenes where the characters just stare into space, thinking and feeling nothing in particular, while the clock on the wall ticks... and ticks... and ticks...? There are MANY such moments. The script was apparently generated by the Cliche-O-Meter set on Brain Destroy mode. Utterly hack work, not even decent at tear-jerking, let alone telling a decent story or giving some real character development. The acting is OK, I guess. Quaid and the others do a pretty good job considering what they're given to work with. FWIW, the cinematography is utterly devoid of imagination, too. All in all, I can't believe this movie was actually released. I've certainly seen straight-to-video films better than this. The ONE good scene is when The Kid (Quaid's son) is eaten by rats... no wait, that didn't happen. Darn it.

It was nice to go see a movie with no sex, no cuss words and just a good story. A movie of this calibre is rare nowadays, with most having a poor story but lots of sex and violence. It is nice to be able to take the WHOLE FAMILY to see an entertaining movie with very good acting by the whole cast. GO SEE IT.

The Rookie is based on the true story of a 40+ year old school teacher in Big Lake, Texas reaching the majors. Jimmy Morris (Dennis Quaid) is a small-town high school science teacher and baseball coach. His team is losing terribly until the team discovers that their coach played in minor leagues and can throw a pitch 98 mph. After throwing batting practice and a wager is made, Jim agrees that if his team wins regional's, he'll try out for the Major Leagues. The movie tells the story from Jimmy being boy to playing in his first game in the majors. It is a great underdog story and a very friendly family movie. Dennis Quaid makes the movie worth while, giving an emotional performance and is supported by an excellent supporting cast which includes: Brian Cox, Rachel Griffiths, and Angus T. Jones. The story takes a little while to develop and some scenes are a bit slow but it all works in well by the end. The baseball scenes are fun, well-filmed, and portrayed excellently. The movie really isn't about baseball but about one man's quest to reach his dream. It's inspiring, it's emotional, and it's funny. I liked it, I hope you do. The Rookie. Starring: Dennis Quaid, Brian Cox, Rachel Griffiths, and Angus T. Jones. 4 out of 5 Stars.

THE ROOKIE (2002) **1/2 Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Brian Cox, Jay Hernandez, Beth Grant, Angus T. Jones, Rick Gonzalez, Chad Lindberg. Better-than-anticipated yet predictable ‘true life' account of Texas chemistry high school teacher/baseball coach Jim Morris (Quaid at his most amiable/vulnerable) whose lifetime ambition to play professional ball returns in the form of his dormant fastball and love of his family to fulfill his dreams. Corny in the best ways and fun all around make up for the by-the-numbers connections that ultimately lead to the hero's quest. (Dir: John Lee Hancock)