Rating: 
Summary: Never Too Late for Dreaming; Underrated Quaid Finally Did It
Review: At last, hugely underrated actor Dennis Quaid gets his due respect. He should have been much more famous long before -- see his Doc in Kevin Costner's "Wyatt Earp" -- but the time has come. Dennis Quaid plays Jim Morris, a major league pitcher who has an amazing story to tell. And that goes like this:As a kid living in Texas, Jim Morris was dreaming of one day becoming a baseball player in Major League. Having a good talent as pitcher, he had been dreaming of making it Major league player, but now his dream is gone. Being 35 years-old, and good father of loving family, he now teaches chemstry at a local high school, and is a coach of ragtag baseball team there. But one deal with the kids -- that if they win the tournament, Jim also tries out for Major League -- reminds him of his old dream that were long forgotten deep in his heart. The rest of the story is just a miracle. Baseball rules in Hollywood; and this film turned out an unexpected hit in 2002, and the cast and crew deserve the succuss. Dennis Quiad brings irresitible charm into the character of Jim Morris (himself appearing as an umpire). True, the script by Mike Rich (debuted with "Finding Forrester") shows nothing particularly new. But even so, it is remarkable for not making any wrong steps throughout (except, possibly, the opening few minutes including two nuns and flower petals), and the direction of newcomer John Lee Hancock is slick and natural. Female supporting role played by Rachel Griffiths is, as you find in this genre of baseball flicks, a very typical one, an always supportive and understanding wife, but she does it gracefully, and no one can deny her engaging presence. The real story is just a bit different from how the film depicts -- Jim Morris was a player in Minor League before his career as a teacher, for instance, but that part is missing from the film even though the final result is utterly heart-warming. Don't say that just because this is G-rated Disney film, it is sugar-coated "feel-good" nonsense. The film has actually a good, old-fashioned story that tells us dreams come true, and when you get a good story like this, all you have to do is tell it straight. And that's the best part of the film. If you happen to love "The Rookie," see some other films like "The Natural", "The Stratton Story", and "The Pride of the Yankees." Even if you don't like the team, you will like Jimmy and Gary, all-American heroes.
Rating: 
Summary: Built like an Acorn Tree: Strong and Sappy
Review: The story of Jim Morris couldn't be more inspirational. A near 40 year old high school science teacher/baseball coach who makes a bet with his team that if they win a playoff game then he will try out for a major league team. Well needless to say, Morris' high school team wins the championship and the players all tell him "it's your turn coach". Jim goes to try out for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with his 3 small children with him and without his wife knowing. Well, Jim winds up throwing harder than he ever has in his life, 98 mph! Jim is now faced with the gut wrenching decision of having to leave his family that he adores or pursue his dreams. The Rookie plays out way too sappy for me, there are an abundance of overly sentimental moments in the film that for continuity's sake should have been sped up. But hey we're talking a G rated Disney film, here! Anyway, baseball fans and fans of the underdog alike will love this film. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: vastly underrated
Review: Watching the trailer, this movie appeared to be nothing more than the typical feel good sports movie in which a bad baseball team decides to start winning and the coach makes good on a promise. I've seen that movie before. This time, it is a true story, and that makes all the difference. Jimmy Morris was a high school teacher in Texas, and he also coached the baseball team. Years ago, Morris was drafted by the Brewers, but his pitching arm gave out and he had to let go of his dream. His baseball team has won one game for each of the past 3 years. They lost their first two games of this season. Normally when Morris throws batting practice, he only lobs the ball in there so as to not damage his arm any more. The team's catcher convinced Morris to throw a couple hard. He does, and it looked good to the team. The team makes a deal with Morris, if they win the District Championship he has to go to a Major League tryout. They do and he does. He is throwing 97-98 Miles Per Hour, faster than when he was drafted by the Brewers. The feel good story is that Morris actually makes it to play for the Devil Rays for two seasons, as a 38 year old rookie. We all know that he'll make it, but the beauty of this movie is in watching it unfold. The Rookie could easily have been a 90 minute movie with the focus on the high school team winning the games for the coach and in the quest to make it back in baseball. Instead, Disney does something surprising with this one. The movie clocks in over 2 hours and is a comfortably paced movie. We get to have a feel for who Jimmy Morris is, and what baseball truly meant to him. We see the family dynamic and how it is affected by the life of a ballplayer on the road. Surprisingly, we also get to watch more of Morris pitching in the minor leagues. That aspect could easily have been glossed over, but it wasn't. Dennis Quaid as Jimmy Morris is perfect casting. He is believable in his role and not once did anything feel wrong or out of place. The acting was superb and overall, The Rookie was one of the most underrated movies of this past year.
Rating:
Summary: Rated "G" for "Great"!
Review: Don't be scared off by the family rating and the Disney name. This is a solid film for everyone to enjoy. Quaid is, as usual, in fine form.
The film is the true story of Jim Morris, a small-town high school teacher who gets a second chance to play professional baseball, albeit at an unusually advanced age.
For baseball non-fans, don't sweat it. The film is really about family and courage to chase dreams.
And I DARE YOU not to get choked up during the scene when Morris calls home to tell his 8 year old baseball-loving and Dad-worshiping son that Dad just got called up to the Big Leagues! Again, don't think that just because this is a "G" rated Disney film that it is a sappy kiddie movie. Remember, one of David Lynch's best films was "The Straight Story" which was, you guessed it, rated "G".
Rating:
Summary: 4.5 stars is quite appropriate.
Review: Here is a movie that got something to tell about "likes to do or means to do it" There is a very common deep feeling in this good movie besides the actually completely commercialized American Sports. The young boy in the early stage is a very good choice by a smart c.s.a. casting agency. Dennis Quaid plays a wonderful role in this quite watchable movie.
Rating:
Summary: Feel-good movie
Review: I was looking for a feel-good movie and I found it in the Rookie. This is the sweet, heartwarming, true story of Jim Morris, who went from high school teacher to major league baseball player at the age of thirty-five. The relationship between Morris and his eight-year-old son touched my heart. When Morris was offered the opportunity to play minor league ball, at first I couldn't understand his hesitation. But the movie does a good job of showing the challenges and the risks he took in search of his dream.
Rating:
Summary: A "mature" film for the whole family
Review: This is the best G rated film I've seen in a long time. Unfortunately, in this day a G rating often means a show for children. The most successful of these are children's films that provide a second level of entertainment for their parents (such as the many Muppets movies). In "The Rookie" this is reversed. We have an inspiring film with mature themes that has something to entertain and inspire the kids as well. Sadly the term "mature" has been reduced to include themes that would include "immature" in my opinion, but that's another story. Here the mature themes are about father-son relationships (both directions), about responsibility, about motivation, and about pursuing your dreams, even after it seems like it's too late. Many people who are parents (or grandparents) have had to set their dreams aside for one reason or another. But often those dreams are still smoldering, waiting for an opportunity be rekindled. In this case, the dream is about becoming a major league pitcher. But it could be almost anything. Enjoy this film, with your kids or grandkids. Be inspired! And continue to dream those dreams. They might still come true!
Rating: 
Summary: SuperSNOOZER... You've been WARNED!!!
Review: Can somebody please tell me exactly what was good about this movie? For one, it has to be the most boring movie I've ever had the displeasure to waiste over 2 hours of my life on(and I'll never get those two hours of my life back, either!). I knew enough about this movie just knowing that an older guy pitched in the majors for two years! There, now you know all you need to know, too. Everything else in this movie in just absolute NONESENSE and NOT at all important to the story. Which seemed to drag on, on and on! Dennis Quaid was okay, but I can't figure out why his character never seemed happy about all the doors that are opening up for him. He never said thank you to anyone, in fact, he almost seemed ungrateful and like he just didn't care! His wife and son also seemed to almost not give a care, too! He finally makes it to the majors and his son says, "I don't believe it". I expected his son to say, "I knew you could do it" instead the kid acted like he just didn't care. With all of their bad acting and stupid one liners it just made me NOT CARE, too! Oh, can we talk about stupid. Every time he threw the ball there was this rediculous special effect dubbed in to make it sound like the ball was going at some kind of a "SUPERSONIC" speed. GIVE ME A BIG-FAT STICKING BREAK. "Stupid is, is stupid does!" and the highschool kids he coached...give me another break! Disney expects me to believe the kids would speak and care about the coach the way these kids did? Kids these days are so self-centered, there's no way their dialog is believable. One kid said it all when he said, "Non of us are getting a scholarship, so what's the point". That was believable, in fact, that was the most believable line in the whole movie. These kids just wouldn't have given a care about this coach like this movie portays. Now, I believe this older guy made it to the majors(facts are facts), I just don't believe the dialog happened the way it is portrayed in this SuperSNOOZER of a movie. If that is the way it happened, Disney did a lousey job recreating it. I'd give this movie a "0" if I could, but I can't, so I'll just urge you NOT to waiste your valuable time. Hey, I like "FEEL GOOD" movies, I'm just not sure why I'm suppose to "feel good" watching this one. To know that an older man pitched in the majors for two seasons(Oh...and he pitched for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays), is really all you need to know. For a "True Story" this movie is pointless. It never grabbed me and it never made me feel like I should even care! To say it was very dissapointing would be an understatement.
There is so many interesting things that happen in real life, everyday, I can't believe they waisted all that money and time on this lackluster story! Now, go do something that is interesting and worth your time! In fact, starring at the wall or coloring in a Teletubbies coloring book with Krayola Crayons would be more interesting than this BOREFEST called a movie! Have I made myself clear? This movie is a SuperSNOOZER...YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!
Rating:
Summary: From a non movie-goer...
Review: I had heard of this unlikely rookie when he made it to the Devil Rays in 1999. When his story came out as a movie, I was interested in the TV previews, and it indicated that the movie might be a good one. Understand, that I am very conservative when it comes to movies. I can't remember the last time I went to a movie theater, and usually I walk right past the video/DVD section in stores because I consider so much of it just junk. The Rookie is NOT junk. I feel that it is a good family movie. It's not a sports story, but a story about relationships with people - family members, members of the community and co-workers/students. Baseball just happens to be the medium used as a story line. If you are looking for an action-packed sports action movie, keep looking. But if you are a conservative viewer looking for a good clean family movie, then you have found it. I heard only one four-letter word not in our family's vocabulary, and saw one very brief scene I felt didn't belong. The extra material found in the DVD including an interview with the real Jim Morris further explains his story, and vouches that the movie is pretty accurate. In my family, this movie will join the ranks of Anne of Green Gables, Sound of Music, Pollyanna and Parent Trap.
Rating:
Summary: Thank God every G-rated film isn't about talking animals.
Review: "The Rookie" is rated G.....So?!! So are "The Country Bears," "Toy Story," and "Cats Don't Dance." Count your blessings as this one's a true story with regular, live-action people in it. I open with that because I'm thinking maybe the cynics who are still attacking the sentimental edge of this film aren't fully realizing that the film hasn't been "Disneyfied" in any way. It *is* a family friendly autobiography about an adult who gets the proverbial break. But how much tunnel vision have we adapted in this country in regard to family films? "Rookie's" director John Lee Hancock even comments (on the DVD) on the enigmatic reaction he got when his film had to be rated by the MPAA. No one was more surprised than he that they gave it a G rating, considering that it includes, among other things, father-son dysfunction and a spotlight on an adult character rather than a talking dog or alien. It's relatively straightforward and even spotlights a corps of baseball playing teens who are more mature and subdued than in most films of this genre. (These are the film's best scenes: Dennis Quaid and the quartet of students who encourage him to come out of retirement and dream again.) I think it is a winning, sublime, magical little film that can bring a smile to just about anyone's face.
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