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Film review

A light touch

Plenty of slapstick, a loud-mouthed baseball and all-out goofiness ought to keep mom, dad and the kids laughing.

By BRETT PHILLIPS Times X-Team
Published September 14, 2006

If you like feel-good films that delight the whole family, then Everyone's Hero is the right film for you.

Yankee Irving (Jake T. Austin), is a baseball-loving New York youngster during the Great Depression. His idol is the legendary Babe Ruth, who "knocks 'em out of the park with his faithful bat, Darlin'. " After a not-so-perfect day at the sandlot, Irving finds a talking baseball (Rob Reiner) with a really big attitude.

Meanwhile, the scheming general manager of the Yankees' World Series foe, the Chicago Cubs, hatches a plan to steal Darlin' so that Babe can't hit home runs. He sends a crooked pitcher, Lefty Maginnis (William H. Macy), to swipe the bat.

Since the theft happens while Yankee's dad, Stanley (Mandy Patinkin), is working, he is fired by the team. Now, armed only with his backpack and his trash-talking baseball, Yankee sets out to get back Babe's bat and clear his father's name.

At the screening I attended, this heartwarming story about never giving up was a winner with the entire audience. People of all ages seemed to enjoy the combination of comedy and adventure.

Rob Reiner's dialogue as Screwy the Baseball definitely added a little more appeal to older groups, but this film is still targeted to the kids. Also, the slapstick humor, added in heavy doses, hit the mark more often than not. Try to count how many times Lefty gets hit with something or gets knocked out. I lost count at 12. Still, the little kid beside me laughed EVERY time.

Even though the previews make it seem as if the film is aimed at preteens, I really believe everyone will enjoy this picture, especially if the theater is crowded with little ones.

If you are under 13, this is the perfect movie for you. For everyone else, this feel-good film will be worth your $9 and your 90 minutes.

Brett Phillips, 13, is in the eighth grade at Tarpon Springs Middle School and is a member of the Times X-Team.

[Last modified September 14, 2006, 16:26:48]