42

“I want a player without the guts to fight back”

42 tells the inspiring story of legend Jackie Robinson and Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey. Does the second film about legendary baseball hero Jackie Robinson finally hit it out of the park?

Well, it’s a pleasant walk-on-base at best. It’s a film that pays due respect to Robinson by showcasing him quite perfect. Keeping him so inspiring keeps the movie from being so. The story is a bit familiar and it plays out in a paint-by-numbers way.

I still enjoyed a lot of this in parts; there are a lot of nice scenes threaded together. The on field moments are beautiful and the camera work should please any baseball fan. Striking newcomer Chadwick Boseman makes a strong Jackie. And Ford, in the zone here at Branch, surprisingly plays it just right.

Simply put: A single, not a home run. A picture-perfect documentary with some inspirational moments, but not a film that stands on its on.

Award potential: Oscar is too many seasons away for an OK performance.

The ten buck review: Worth ten bucks. This is about as good as you can do in April, and it stands taller as a family film that could inspire discussion.