BrianSez's Review

Summary - Very Good 3.5

42 gives us a part of baseball history that fans and non-fans alike should see. As much as it is a decent baseball story, it is an even better story about American history. This glimpse into how Jackie Robinson made his way from a Negro league to the Brooklyn Dodgers was more complex than a simple ‘come from behind’ sports story. The bad-guys in the film were mostly portrayed as redneck throwbacks, while the good-guys were either the negroes themselves, savvy baseball-business-managers who saw a huge monetary opportunity in allowing coloreds on the fields, or enlightened players who simply thought that if you had the goods, you should be given a chance on the field. A big part of the movie focuses on Branch Rickey, who was a combination of all of the above. Watching this type of plot complexity is made simpler in the context of a sports movie — with tons of fans wanting their hero to give it to the man – you end up cheering for what is right – and for pure greatness on the field.

Acting - Very Good 3.5

Chadwick Boseman was a great pick for Jackie; Vigor in his youth, with the smarts to survive the tough times.

Harrison Ford still has it in him. His portrayal of Branch Rickey made Branch seem a bit over-the-top, but it was certainly believable that someone could see the business light at the end of the tunnel.

John McGinley was great as the antagonistic Philly manager who eventually came around.

Nicole Beharie – a fine addition to Chadwick’s side

Film - Very Good 3.5

Edge - Tame 1.3

Reality - Natural 1.0

2 Comments

• BrianSez May 12, 2013 7:51PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  Yeah – I think waiting for on demand is a good choice for this one, and your call about it being on par with Express is spot-on.

• Wick May 12, 2013 12:28PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  Helpful review Bri. I want and need to see this, but your review confirms that waiting till it’s on-demand is a good choice. Maybe that’s because Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier as a baseball player. Being more a football fan, I did make a point of seeing The Express at the theater. Both seem similar quality movies.

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