What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that there's very little in this movie
that's objectionable. OK, so it's the same old "persevering
against the odds" theme that's been done a million times. That
said, it's a pleasant look back at an era when kids plastered
their rooms with baseball banners and heroes could be found at
every baseball stadium.
Families can talk about the importance of putting family first and plugging through the rough times. They can also talk about dreams and the determination needed to pursue them. Was Yankee right to take off on his own to return the bat? Could he have handled it differently to avoid putting himself in danger? Also, what does it take to be a hero? Who are the real heroes in our lives?
Common Sense Media Review
Yankee Irving (
Jake
T. Austin) isn't exactly the biggest kid on the block. In
fact, the older kids make fun of him, especially during the
softball games at the neighborhood sandlot.
But Yankee has big dreams -- mostly about baseball. He wears a Yankee cap, collects baseball cards, and plasters his room with pictures of players and souvenir banners. Mostly, he loves visiting his dad, Stanley ( Mandy Patinkin) at his job at Yankee Stadium.
But things take a turn for the worse when Babe Ruth's (Brian Dennehy) bat goes missing from the locker room on the eve of the 1932 World Series. Worst of all, the theft happened on Stanley's shift, so he ends up getting fired over the crime. Still, he tries to keep a brave face and follow the advice he constantly gives Yankee: "Always keep swingin'."
Yankee makes a disturbing connection between the person he saw in the locker room, Lefty Maginnis ( William H. Macy), and the missing bat (voiced by ( Whoopi Goldberg) and decides to take matters into his own hands. He and his new friend, a wise-cracking baseball named Screwie ( Rob Reiner), set off on an adventure to find and return the missing bat, named Darlin'. "I have to do this for my dad," says Yankee, so he trails the thief onto a bus and steals the bat back, causing a scuffle in the process.
Helping Yankee on his quest is Marti ( Raven Symone), a fun-loving tomboy who's energetic and sassy and gives as good as she gets. And Yankee's hard-working mom, Emily (Dana Reeve), believes in her family and looks after them with loving care.
Baseball, kids, family, honor ... it's a nice legacy left by Christopher and Dana Reeve -- this was their last project before their deaths. Though a bit bland and formulaic (let's face it -- we've been desensitized by fast-moving films), this movie offers a positive message about doing the right thing and never giving up, even in the face of adversity.
It also reminds kids that dreams really can come true and that we should always put our family first, even if it means going to the ends of the earth to set things right. And with a G rating, it's one of those rare movies that's great for kids of all ages.
Families who enjoy this movie may also like Rookie of the Year , Angels in the Outfield , and The Rookie .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
