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While based on a true story, The Rookie treads well-worn cinematic paths and will doubtless induce feelings of déjà vu in many viewers. Luckily, this family-friendly drama is so skillfully made, its lack of originality is easy to forgive. The story takes place in the West Texas town of Big Lake, where high school coach Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid), having long since forgotten his dream of pitching in the majors, struggles to keep his lackluster baseball team motivated. After startling the players during batting practice with the speed of his fastball, Jim makes the boys a promise: He’ll try out for the majors if they qualify for the district finals. As directed by John Lee Hancock (Falcone), The Rookie progresses along fairly predictable lines; the big game is won, and Morris trudges off to the tryouts (with his eight-year-old son in tow), although you’ll have to see for yourself if he makes the grade. Hancock bolsters a rather predictable narrative with solid, believable characterizations. Quaid, Rachel Griffiths (as his patient, understanding wife), Jay Hernandez (as the team captain), and Brian Cox (as Jim’s father) all turn in excellent portrayals. Their fine work reinforces the movie’s credibility, which in turn strengthens its message: Never give up on your dreams. The DVD edition includes a full-length commentary by Hancock and Quaid, along with deleted scenes, a featurette on the real Jim Morris, and spring-training tips from real-life baseball pros. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

The true story of a middle-aged baseball rookie comes to the screen from Finding Forrester (2000) screenwriter Mike Rich and the studio behind the previous year's equally inspirational sports drama Remember the Titans (2001). Twelve years ago, the pro baseball aspirations of Texas pitcher Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid) were derailed by a severe shoulder injury. Jim became a high school science teacher and baseball coach, married his sweetheart, Lorri (Rachel Griffiths), and settled down to raise a family. After corrective surgery repairs, despite the longstanding damage to his shoulder, Jim discovers that he can pitch a ball even faster than he could before. When his team delivers a lackluster on-field performance in a losing game, coach and players agree to a wager: If they'll make it to the district championships, he'll try out for a major league ball club. When his team makes it to the championship and wins for the first time in the school's history, Jim is forced to live up to his end of the bargain. Nearly laughed off the field, he confounds the pro scouts by tossing successive fastballs that clock at nearly 100 miles per hour. It seems that Jim is about to live his dream of joining a major league team in middle age, when most players are planning their retirement. The Rookie (2002) co-stars Brian Cox, Beth Grant, and Jay Hernandez. Karl Williams

Entertainment Weekly

Something particularly clean shines in this American fairy tale, a quality of simplicity that's almost as hard to achieve in such movies as a middle-aged man's boyhood dreams. Lisa Schwarzbaum

New York Times

As averse as I usually am to feel-good, follow-your-dream Hollywood fantasies, this one got to me. Stephen Holden

Washington Post

A rarity to be cheered: a smart, engaging family film that stands firmly in the best of the Disney tradition. Ann Hornaday

Product Details

• UPC: 786936749786
• Source: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
• Region Code: ABC
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 2:08:00
• Sales Rank: 29,978

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Miracle & The Rookie

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