Rating: 
Summary: Hearwarming movie!
Review: This movie is based on the true story of Jimmy Morris, who had a lifelong dream of becoming a major league baseball pitcher. In flashbacks the movie shows that while he was growing up, Jimmy would get involved in a team just in time for his family to move, as they followed his career-military father. Added to this was his father's tacit disapproval of his son's dreams of a baseball career. Jimmy continued to play until a serious injury sidelined him, and he became a teacher and coach in the small Texas town of Big Lake. As the movie switches to the present time, Jimmy's team is not doing well until he challenges them to dig deep and feel free to dream. They, in turn, challege him to make another try at professional baseball. Rather sheepishly he tries out, while ignoring jibes about his age. The rest of the story is predictable, yet heart-warming. This is a good movie for the whole family.
Rating:
Summary: THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN WATCH!!!!
Review: THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES I HAVE SEEN IN A VERY LONG TIME! IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WILL ENJOY WATCHING AGAIN. THIS MOVIE IS WHAT DISNEY SHOULD BE MAKING! IT'S WHAT DISNEY USED TO MAKE. GOOD WHOLESOME FAMILY MOVIES. IT IS LIKE THE MOVIES I REMEMBER FROM MY CHILDHOO, BEFORE MOVIES HAD TO HAVE A LOT OF BAD LANGUAGE, SEX AND VIOLENCE TO ENTERTAIN. THAT'S NOT WHAT I CALL ENTERTAINMENT! I AM RECOMMENDING THIS MOVIE TO ALL OF MY FRIENDS.
Rating: 
Summary: Dreams can come true!!
Review: This movie ranks high up there with The Natural as one of the best baseball movies ever made.The Rookie is a really great movie for both the kids and adults,really makes you believe your dreams can come true no matter what age you are.This movie made my baseball dream come alive again after not playing for 4 and a half years.Watch it and love it.
Rating:
Summary: Works on all Levels. The Makings of a Classic.
Review: Dennis Quaid totally owns this story of the real life Jim Morris. A truly inspirational story that I wasn't aware of until I actually saw the movie. The fact that it seems to have happened almost exactly as the movie portrays it makes it even more amazing. Dennis does his best job of "keeping it real" in the movie. I'm sure he had many opportunities to really go for the dramatic way of doing things, but he is totally grounded in real life. He avoids that trap by making us believe that this guy could really be your next door neighbor. Even though it's Quaid's show, the rest of the cast do a great job supporting him. It's a safe bet that the movie wouldn't have been halfway entertaining without them. Rachel Griffith as his wife is outstanding. Their kids are scene stealers and you just have to love the high school team he coaches, along with some of his pals from around town. Brian Cox puts in a good turn as the taciturn father, who in his sons eyes, could give a spit about his dreams. But Cox plays the role in such a way, you can see that it's not all there is to it. There is a sadness underneath at having to put up such a stern front. The story itself could have turned into a cliche riddled piece of "movie of the week" tripe, but there are things that keep it from such. First, of course, is all the fine acting. Second is the fact that it's almost as if there's two stories going on. The first with Jim coaching his kids, then him going for his dreams. You can tell this film is a labor of love from all involved. It shows on screen. The people making this movie truly cared for the story. One of the best things about this movie is that it works more than just a baseball movie. It's a great character piece, about following dreams and the love of family. Sounds corny, I know, but when pulled off right, it's the stuff of coolness. I believe that even if you don't like baseball that much, you'll find something here that's up your alley. John Lee Hancock's direction flows in a nice, Texas like pace. It's not in your face, it simply lets the story unfold, and I appreciate Hancock for doing this. He's showed restraint when many filmmakers of today would edit this baby to bits, so kudos to him. You've made this Texas boy proud. If you want other reasons this is a truly wonderful movie, simply start up the commentary with John Lee Hancock and Dennis Quaid. They point out several moments that make this movie special. You can tell they're real proud of their work. Dennis goes as far as to say that it's his favorite movie he's ever been in, so that has to tell you something. Some other good comments on what went on with the hows and whys of making the movie. There's seven deleted scenes that are of good enough quality that they could have been in the movie itself. But, as director Hancock points out, the main reason most of them were taken out was due to time restraints. So, it's nice to see them on the disc for all to enjoy. A neat little Spring Training feature gives you some usefull tips on playing the game of baseball. This is great for people like me, who haven't the slightest idea of how to play the sport properly. Whenever I play it (with friends), it's a simple matter of swinging at the pitches. This has some interesting techniques and tips for the ignorant. Last, and certainly not least, is a 20 minute documentary on the man himself, Jim Morris. It features interviews with him, the cast, some of his family and kids he coached. A fairly inspiring feature in it's own right, you finish watching it totally understanding why one would want to make a movie on his life. Plus, it gives us info the movie didn't really, such as the fact that Morris wasn't such a bad football player, either. All in all, I do believe this movie will go down as a classic when all is said and done. It has all the makings of one, and it's one I enjoy more each time I watch it. It will truly make you want to chase your dreams.
Rating:
Summary: Jimmy Morris finally hits the big screen
Review: This is the best Disney movie ever told into a true story. Jimmy Moris' dream came to life. He wanted to be a professional baseball player and he is. They made a movie on him, because everyone did a good job. I think a lot of baseball players may want to get this on video/dvd... I bet Jimmy Morris couldn't even wait to see that movie in the year 2002. Do you think this is Jimmy Morris and his family's favorite movie? Do you think Jimmy Morris will give this two thumbs up?
Rating:
Summary: Good Family Film
Review: What a great story. Inspiring. My son loved it. And, it's a true story. Quaid did an expert job of bringing this story home. Very believable performance. We are Devil Rays fans, so this one had to be true to life for us. We were already familiar with the background.... The story is about a former big leaguer that is benched due to injuries. It goes into how baseball is his biggest passion. Even through all the upheavels of his life while he was growing up. He always kept the dream alive. After the big league, he settles down to raise a family in a small town in Texas. He is science teacher and baseball coach at the local high school. Somehow (I won't say how) the team discovers his past and challenges him to give it another try. He takes the challenge and makes it to the big time. Enough of that... It's also a story of a boy growing into a man, a man trying to make amends to his grown son about the failure of being there for him. A wife and family being there to help make the tough decisions. A town that believes in the dream. Friendship. Love. Sportsmanship. Team. A really good film. No violence. No obscene words. No explicit scenes. Just a good film with a good story.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie for anyone
Review: The Rookie...I have seen it four times. It is for all ages, and people of all interests. If you love baseball, you'll love this movie. If you loved Field of Dreams, you'll love this movie. Or, if you want a touching movie that is extremely well shot and uplifting, this is for you. There is a reason it won the ESPY for best movie.
The Rookie is the story of Jim Morris. He was a high school science teacher who had loved baseball. Then, he had injured his arm and doctors rold him he'd never pitch again. Then, he started coaching the school baseball team. They weren't good. In fact, you would have thought they had no idea how to play. But one day he threw to his catcher...over 90 mph. And so the deal was made. They make it to regionals, he'll try out for a MLB team. Of course, they fulfilled their end of the deal, so he had to his. He tried out for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (yeah they do stink but it is in the MLs). And he made it. So he goes to play in the minors, trying to provide for his wife and kids, though it isn't working. Then, every minor leaguer's dream happens to him. He gets called up. In the movie, Jim is in the bullpen and is told to warm up. He is thrilled. In fact, his high school team came to watch his ML debut. And they weren't disappointed, with him bringing it.
If you ever wondered if something seemingly impossible is not, you must see this. It is inspirational to all, and It is truly an amazing movie.
Rating:
Summary: Good Film with A Good Story...Just a Bit Too Long
Review: The Rookie Based on the true story, "The Rookie" tells the tale of Jim Morris. A high school teacher who also coaches the school's baseball team in Big Lake, Texas, Jim has long ago abandoned his dream of playing in the big leagues after a shoulder injury diminished his chances and family became the priority in his life. Now in his forties, Jim watches helplessly as his high school team faces a losing streak with no end in sight. His offer? If the team comes together and wins the district championship, he will try out for a major league team again. The team, sensing an opportunity to witness the dormant greatness in Jim, gets their act together and soon takes the top spot in their league. Thrilled with their accomplishment, Jim is now forced to confront his promise. A promise that might realize his lifelong dream to play pro baseball, much to the disapproval of all the adults around him. What makes a good baseball movie is simple reverence for the game. The director needs to soak in all the details. He needs to allow space for the sport to breathe. "The Rookie" is this type of picture, taking ample time to inhale the fresh outfield grass, to peel the clay out of the cleats and to feels the rigid red stitches on a baseball. "The Rookie" is a baseball film on the same plane as "Bull Durham" or "For Love Of The Game" in terms of sitting back and feeling every inch of the sport. "The Rookie" lacks the screenwriting prowess of the other two pictures, but its simplicity is agreeable, and its allegiance to baseball purity engaging. You just don't see that enough. The screenplay, credited to Mike Rich ("Finding Forrester"), is less respectful to all the other aspects besides the game. "The Rookie" is basically a true story with layer upon layer of sport movie clichés heaped upon it. The film leaves no motivational speech unturned, and for a 120 minute film, it does get old very quickly. However, "The Rookie" is an admirable, inspiring story. It's told with love and has a goal of maintaining a family friendly feel to it (the film is charmingly G rated), without resorting to crude family-film mainstays. I really appreciate that. I also admire how the film does nothing with the subplot featuring Jim's damaged arm. The injury, which happened to Jim as a young man and ended up cutting short his career as a ballplayer, was a great source of concern to his wife, Lorrie (nicely played by Rachel Griffiths). The film could've easily taken the route in which Jim's arm is reinjured in the second act of the film, only to have him reemerge in the last act beaten, but now willing to fight for his dreams. Many successful films have taken that route, so I couldn't blame "The Rookie" for following suit. But once the injury is discussed, it is quickly let go, never to be mentioned again. In a film that is shrouded in formula, I am shocked that the filmmakers never choose to mine this plot thread for maximum drama. After all the ways "The Rookie" reminds you of other films, it makes a decision with this restraint that is vital to its overall success. It's smart screenwriting where it counts the most. The other thing that keeps this screenplay from crumbling like a house of cards is Dennis Quaid's commanding performance as Jim Morris. Even though the film is a Disney production, Quaid still manages to find the essence of his role as a frustrated man who, after years of defeat, finally finds the path to his dreams. I just adored how Quaid plays up Jim's disbelief in how this opportunity has taken him so far. I also loved the subtle scenes between Jim and Lorrie. The couple love each other dearly, but Lorrie has very honest reservations about Jim's baseball chances. Quaid's reaction to his wife's honesty mixes with equal parts offense, disbelief and respect. A very nice choice. Whenever the script takes the off ramp into well-known territory, Quaid's acting steers it away from becoming truly unbearable. "The Rookie" is an enjoyable enough film, even though it might try your patience now and again. If you're a fan of baseball thought, it's a film not to miss, as any picture that loves the game as much as this film is truly a sports movie to see. --------- 7/10
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT FILM!
Review: This was probably the film I enjoyed the most in the last year. It is a wonderful and inspiring film and Dennis Quaid is at his best in the movie. It is great for anyone, or, the whole family can see it together...no problem. It has a great message in it and is worth 5 stars in my book. I cannot wait to buy the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Good feel good movie
Review: The Rookie is a wonderful feel good movie. It keeps you involved. The acting by the kids is great. This is more than a baseball movie.
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