Really Nails The Concept Of "Baseball Humor"
Added 7/16/2009
At face value, "Little Big League" is nothing more than a kiddie story. The plot (teen inherits baseball team from grandfather and becomes manager) is wacky, the characters are stereotypes ("for the team" vs. "out for money"), and the ending is almost exactly what you would expect.
Yet, putting those "serious critiques" aside, this is, as a baseball fan, one of my favorite films of all-time! The reason? It is able to capture the kind of humor that baseball fans will seize upon as their own. Whether it be on-field tricks, clubhouse shenanigans, or the real-life "adventures" that players experience when not between the two white lines, all those areas are spot-on in their portrayal of the lighter side of America's pastime.
The way I perceive this movie is as a nice little compliment to the Kevin Costner baseball persona. Whereas Costner (in films like "Field of Dreams" and "For The Love Of The Game") re-creates the almost religious-like passion for the game of baseball that many fans have, this film does a similar deed...but from the comedic perspective. For nearly every character that steps in front of the camera, you could (at some point in history) find a real-life major league counterpart.
Thus, if you are a fan of baseball (especially the Minnesota Twins!) and are able to put your cynicism aside for about an hour and a half, this film will completely charm you with its hilarious antics and great baseball message (even if it is dripping in schmaltz).
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Realism Makes This A Winner
Added 3/13/2009
I almost canned it after the first 15 minutes, but I was glad I didn't because it turned to be a good movie.
Thinking this was kid-safe, the first 15 minutes included two GDs by Dennis Farina and some uncalled-for vulgarity by Jason Robards, but everything settled down after those two exited the film soon after and it wound up being a "cute" baseball movie and very impressive in its realism.
That "realism" was the most impressive aspect of the film to me. I had grown up seeing every baseball movie and never seeing any actors who knew what they were doing until Kevin Costner came along with his "Field Of Dreams" (and later with "For Love Of The Game"). So I appreciate the more modern-era of movie-making where at least we see actors who can throw and hit. This movie is about as close to seeing real baseball as you're going to get: very realistic diamond action.
The story was outlandish - an 11-year-old managing a Major League baseball team, but the baseball was so good and a good mix of comedy and drama made it turn out to be a satisfying film to watch. There are some nice shots of Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium in here, too.
Luke Edwards, as the kid, was just fine and somebody you could root for. He was aided by adults John Ashton and Timothy Busfeld. The latter couldn't have played a more likable ballplayer. He was great to watch.
This a good film for adults, not just kids, and especially if you enjoy baseball.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
True Family Entertainment
Added 11/9/2008
This is a great movie for the whole family - fun, imaginative and light-hearted. Even non-baseball fans will enjoy it!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Favorite of the kid sports stories
Added 10/13/2008
My son was into anything sports and this film became a family favorite. Must have watched it 100 times and still we all enjoy it.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Some tech notes (NOT Widescreen)
Added 8/15/2008
Okay, so Little Big League is a cute movie. You know, for kids!
But because I'm a filmmaker and I was an extra in it, I just wanted to mention some details about the DVD. This refers to the less-expensive 2005 Warner Home Video with the hinged snap case (UPC #053939273021).
Note that it is NOT Widescreen as the current Amazon information says. It is FULL SCREEN, modified to fit your regular ol' TV. Letterbox might scare the kiddies, I guess.
This version contains the following extras:
1. Cast & Crew - just a list of the top 6 actors, and the producers, writers and director (no info)
2. Let's Play Ball! - baseball tips and trivia that you access by clicking on little players in a picture
3. Behind the Scenes - 5 minute studio promo
4. Theatrical Trailer - also Full Screen
The other version has the featurette and trailer, too, not sure about the trivia. So it looks like they are identical; just get the cheaper one.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Really Nails The Concept Of "Baseball Humor"
Added 7/16/2009
At face value, "Little Big League" is nothing more than a kiddie story. The plot (teen inherits baseball team from grandfather and becomes manager) is wacky, the characters are stereotypes ("for the team" vs. "out for money"), and the ending is almost exactly what you would expect.
Yet, putting those "serious critiques" aside, this is, as a baseball fan, one of my favorite films of all-time! The reason? It is able to capture the kind of humor that baseball fans will seize upon as their own. Whether it be on-field tricks, clubhouse shenanigans, or the real-life "adventures" that players experience when not between the two white lines, all those areas are spot-on in their portrayal of the lighter side of America's pastime.
The way I perceive this movie is as a nice little compliment to the Kevin Costner baseball persona. Whereas Costner (in films like "Field of Dreams" and "For The Love Of The Game") re-creates the almost religious-like passion for the game of baseball that many fans have, this film does a similar deed...but from the comedic perspective. For nearly every character that steps in front of the camera, you could (at some point in history) find a real-life major league counterpart.
Thus, if you are a fan of baseball (especially the Minnesota Twins!) and are able to put your cynicism aside for about an hour and a half, this film will completely charm you with its hilarious antics and great baseball message (even if it is dripping in schmaltz).
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Realism Makes This A Winner
Added 3/13/2009
I almost canned it after the first 15 minutes, but I was glad I didn't because it turned to be a good movie.
Thinking this was kid-safe, the first 15 minutes included two GDs by Dennis Farina and some uncalled-for vulgarity by Jason Robards, but everything settled down after those two exited the film soon after and it wound up being a "cute" baseball movie and very impressive in its realism.
That "realism" was the most impressive aspect of the film to me. I had grown up seeing every baseball movie and never seeing any actors who knew what they were doing until Kevin Costner came along with his "Field Of Dreams" (and later with "For Love Of The Game"). So I appreciate the more modern-era of movie-making where at least we see actors who can throw and hit. This movie is about as close to seeing real baseball as you're going to get: very realistic diamond action.
The story was outlandish - an 11-year-old managing a Major League baseball team, but the baseball was so good and a good mix of comedy and drama made it turn out to be a satisfying film to watch. There are some nice shots of Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium in here, too.
Luke Edwards, as the kid, was just fine and somebody you could root for. He was aided by adults John Ashton and Timothy Busfeld. The latter couldn't have played a more likable ballplayer. He was great to watch.
This a good film for adults, not just kids, and especially if you enjoy baseball.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
True Family Entertainment
Added 11/9/2008
This is a great movie for the whole family - fun, imaginative and light-hearted. Even non-baseball fans will enjoy it!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
