Jeremy Ordan
Major Contributor
I went looking and searching to add to the thread from when the film was released but couldn't find anything leading me to believe that we never discussed this film. that doesn't really surprise me that much because when I saw the trailer I had 0 interest in seeing yet another Disney sports film. Normally for me the mere mention of Disney turns me off to a film and I ignore anything decent in my memory regarding productions they have done. That being said, last night my girlfriend and I sat down to watch this film because she had been wanting to see it ad I figured I would try to forgive Mark Walberg for being Marky Mark and just acknowledge that he was good in The Departed, Boogie Nights, and I <3 Huckabees.
Expectations walking into this: nada, zip, zilch.
Overall this film had an amazing feeling and vibe to it. It takes place during the 70's depression in Philadelphia (obviously) and looks like it was shot where Rocky grew up (shot in the same area). The overall visual vibe just works for the first half of the film before it goes into overdrive into this quick cutting & every shot must be moving, dollying, or on a steadicam (or unsteadicam as the case is with football). Lighting & sound are everything you would expect from a Disney production....
My biggest problem with this film overall was the CGI. They are recreating the Vet and games there and it just looks like crap. These big birds eye view CGI shots look completely out of place and make you wonder why they were inserted other than to be able to say that we used CGI.
That being said, what makes this film GREAT is the same thing that made the other Disney sport films such as The Rookie and Miracle great... the story. This isn't an Oscar winner, it isn't a film that you will come back and study, and it sure as hell isn't something that is going to motivate you to get off your ass and go work out (a la Rocky). This film is all about following a dream and not giving up and you stand up and cheer for the characters. It is rare that you watch a film that actually makes you scream and cheer for the protagonist, but this film managed to get me to cheer... It is silly, stupid, and manipulative, but this is the best feel good film I have seen in a long time.
Does it have the best story? Nope. Is it best shot? Is it best acted? Is it most entertaining? Is it the most motivational? Nope, nope, nope, nope... Still, this is a really good feel good film that doesn't go on too long and is well worth the time investment to at least learn how an audience can connect with a character if not to be entertained for an hour and a half.
