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Posted : 4 years, 12 months ago on 30 April 2019 09:31
Since I kept hearing some interesting things about this flick, I was quite eager to check it out. Well, even though I was fully aware of Jackie Robinson’s story, it remains such an amazing tale and it is not surprising that the guy is considered as one of the most influential African-Americans that ever lived. However, if the story itself was really strong, I don’t think it became such an amazing movie though and I wonder what Spike Lee who had tried to make a movie about Robinson for a very long time would have done with this material. I mean, Brian Helgeland delivered a solid directing effort, probably even his best movie so far, but, after all, it was pretty much a straightforward historical sports biopic. For example, you get to see pretty much the whole team of the Brooklyn Dodgers being against Robinson but, slowly, almost one by one, they started to root for the guy. Of course, you might argue that it was actually historically accurate. To be honest, I don’t really care though and it was definitely some rather generic and predictable narrative trope. Concerning Harrison Ford, even though I always had a weak spot for this actor and even though it was pretty neat to see him playing something else than his usual characters, I’m afraid he didn’t really nail it. Branch Rickey had apparently a huge impact on baseball, in fact, even on US history, but Ford kept playing him way over-the-top which made it difficult to take his character really seriously. On the other hand, Chadwick Boseman gave a really strong performance providing this actor with a deserved breakthrough. Of course, you might argue that they could have developed more Robinson as a character but Boseman was always convincing playing an athlete constantly under pressure who not only had to excel at his sport but who also had to pretty much change the course of American history. Anyway, to conclude, even if it was maybe nothing really groundbreaking, it remains such a fascinating and inspiring story and it is definitely worth a look.
42 Reviews
His game plan was simple, being himself
Posted : 10 years, 5 months ago on 19 November 2013 11:23
42, the jersey number of a famous American sports person, Jackie Robinson. I never heard of his name before because the baseball is an alien sport in my country. Yes it was a wonderful biopic of an Afro-American baseball player who made a stepping stone to the future of his race with the baseball game.
This movie tells the story of Jackie Robinson as young and how he made into a famous team 'Brooklyn dodgers' to play for the American baseball league. The story sets during 40s just a few years after the II world war end where Branch Rickey, a baseball team administrator played by Harrison Ford, by his bold idea he recruit a first Negro player to his team to play.
I am smell the best supporting actor award for Harrison Ford, still a long way to go for that. This movie was kinda similar to Clint Eastwood's 'Invictus' where racism was the mainstream story. An inspiring story of a man who overcame to become an American hero. This is something that everyone must see, maybe because of moral of the story. An highly recommended.
This movie tells the story of Jackie Robinson as young and how he made into a famous team 'Brooklyn dodgers' to play for the American baseball league. The story sets during 40s just a few years after the II world war end where Branch Rickey, a baseball team administrator played by Harrison Ford, by his bold idea he recruit a first Negro player to his team to play.
I am smell the best supporting actor award for Harrison Ford, still a long way to go for that. This movie was kinda similar to Clint Eastwood's 'Invictus' where racism was the mainstream story. An inspiring story of a man who overcame to become an American hero. This is something that everyone must see, maybe because of moral of the story. An highly recommended.
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Review of 42
Posted : 11 years ago on 15 April 2013 05:40
Like most sports movies, 42 is easy to like, but hard to love. The underdog story is worth cheering on, and the protagonist is likeable enough to root for. A little humor, some soft moments, and the written epilogue adds up to a whole lot of formula, but still makes for a surprisingly engaging baseball tale.
Jackie Robinson is making history as the first African-American to break the baseball "color line." Only white men had previously been accepted as professional baseball players, but Branch Rickey decides it's time for an exception. Still, this is no happy ending, as Robinson must learn to control his temper, and stay cool under pressure, as thousands of baseball fans would love to see the man dead.
Let me make it clear that 42 does almost nothing that one could consider to be unexpected, or innovative. This is a baseball underdog story and nothing more. Those hoping for something different will find themselves bored, and possibly predicting scenes in the movie before they happen. But for those willing to accept 42 for what it is; a story about a black man's journey to success in baseball, this is an acceptable biography.
The length is the biggest issue (second to 42's predictability). At just over 2 hours long, 42 wears out it's welcome a bit. About an hour in, I started to check my watch relatively often. 42 certainly would've benefited from a shorter run time.
The acting is good, but lacks depth. Harrison Ford provides a reliably strong performance as Branch Rickey, and Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson is easy to like. No one really stands out much, but you'd be hard pressed to find a performance here that isn't believable.
The score by Mark Isham is predictably sappy. From the piano solos, to the horn melodies, and the lively string bits, this is a by-the-numbers "heart-warming" score. It's pleasant, and works for the movie, but this isn't a score I'll be seeking out for my soundtrack collection.
42 is a likeable film. Production values are sound. Acting is good. There are some laughs on the way, and a surprisingly moving speech by Branch Rickey near the end. Still, 42's formulaic structure and unnecessary length is an issue. There are some slow stretches, and it's obvious from the start where this story is going. But considering how little interest I have in the world of baseball (or even sports in general), 42 wasn't such a bad little flick. And it's certainly better than any other 2013 release I've seen this year.
Jackie Robinson is making history as the first African-American to break the baseball "color line." Only white men had previously been accepted as professional baseball players, but Branch Rickey decides it's time for an exception. Still, this is no happy ending, as Robinson must learn to control his temper, and stay cool under pressure, as thousands of baseball fans would love to see the man dead.
Let me make it clear that 42 does almost nothing that one could consider to be unexpected, or innovative. This is a baseball underdog story and nothing more. Those hoping for something different will find themselves bored, and possibly predicting scenes in the movie before they happen. But for those willing to accept 42 for what it is; a story about a black man's journey to success in baseball, this is an acceptable biography.
The length is the biggest issue (second to 42's predictability). At just over 2 hours long, 42 wears out it's welcome a bit. About an hour in, I started to check my watch relatively often. 42 certainly would've benefited from a shorter run time.
The acting is good, but lacks depth. Harrison Ford provides a reliably strong performance as Branch Rickey, and Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson is easy to like. No one really stands out much, but you'd be hard pressed to find a performance here that isn't believable.
The score by Mark Isham is predictably sappy. From the piano solos, to the horn melodies, and the lively string bits, this is a by-the-numbers "heart-warming" score. It's pleasant, and works for the movie, but this isn't a score I'll be seeking out for my soundtrack collection.
42 is a likeable film. Production values are sound. Acting is good. There are some laughs on the way, and a surprisingly moving speech by Branch Rickey near the end. Still, 42's formulaic structure and unnecessary length is an issue. There are some slow stretches, and it's obvious from the start where this story is going. But considering how little interest I have in the world of baseball (or even sports in general), 42 wasn't such a bad little flick. And it's certainly better than any other 2013 release I've seen this year.
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