Stream The Replacements Online
Vendredi, septembre 3rd, 2010 |
Stream The Replacements Online.
Movie Title: The Replacements The Replacements is available for streaming or downloading. |
As shocking as it may be, when you think about it, the football movies of the past, to include Oliver Stone’s excellent but dark, “On Any Given Sunday” simply do not match this film. I will even place this film in the all-time greats like “Pride of the Yankees” and “The Natural”.
First, we don’t need to watch any more tragedies on film, we need to see something that inspires us to overcome, and this film delivers: I’m surprised its considered a comedy! Hackman should get an oscar for this film because his narration and actions drive the film and create yet another complex character from the mind of the master. Hackman’s Coach knows that the men he wants to be his replacements are great, he is frustrated that life hasn’t shown them that and he wants to set them up for success, not failure. He believes in them as human beings, not just as football players, that if they can get a “second chance” they will shine. His talks with Keanu Reeves’ charachter, reveal a candor and leadership style you should really consider. He tells him flat out he wants to see the man and the ability come together because it will be wonderful to see or words to that effect, his belief in the REALITY that Reeves can deliver are stupendous. Later he instructs his Quarterback, in the hour of decision, the leader wants the ball in his hands.
Along the way, Reeves meets a sexy head cheerleader and there is a nice romance where she begins to believe in him, too. The football action scenes are the best yet to grace movie screens, you feel like you are in shoulder pads/helmet again. What I like was how just before the final game that would decide whether they go to the play-offs or not, Reeves gets canned by front-office politics in favor of the arrogant Joe Theismann-type “all pro” quarterback who is afraid he will lose his job. You are not really sure how the film will end at this point, the team follows the leadership of Reeves but are losing under the arrogant vet. The coach gets a phone call.
I will not give away the ending but Hackman’s voice over after the game, clinches it, I paraphrase: “All men once they have touched greatness in their lives are changed forever”.
AND THIS IS THE POINT!
Just once, do something great in your life! Go all out and let yourself know that you can do it, once you know this you will be changed forever. The world doesn’t let you or want you to know that greatness is within your grasp, this is why it beats you down. Find your gift you have been given and act on it, this is the true attitude “replacement” we need and this film shows us how to get it.
Despite the fact that this film is a totally unoriginal and predictable retread of a dozen “losers to winners” sports stories, it is so hysterically funny that I didn’t even care. The story is thin at best. The NFL is having a players strike and scabs are called in to finish the season. Our heroes are low on ability but high on desire and peculiarity. The quarterback, Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves), once had a promising career, but he fell apart psychologically when his team was pummeled in a college bowl game and he was labeled a player that folds in the big game. Of course, while visiting the NFL, Shane falls in love with the head cheerleader (Brooke Langton) who never dates players (except of course this once).
All this is merely a mundane excuse for a raucous and silly comedy that has some sidesplitting moments. To enjoy this film you really need two things. You need to love football and you need to enjoy slapstick, banana peel comedy. I realize that this limits the audience considerably, but for those who qualify (and I am one), this movie is a scream.
Director Howard Deutch (Pretty in Pink, Grumpier Old Men) did a great job on the football sequences. He hired 45 professional football players (Former NFL players, Canadian Football League, etc.) to do the football scenes and sent the actors to a three-week football camp. The action looked real because it was real. The players were told to play and hit the way they normally would. Of course, the plays were choreographed, but they were real football plays.
The comedy was lowbrow, outrageous and crass, with a great deal of physical comedy. The cheerleader scenes were a riot, especially the cheerleader tryouts. The scene where they started pantomiming sex acts to distract the opposing team was priceless. There was also sharp-witted football humor that required more than just a passing knowledge of the game.
There isn’t much serious that can be said about the acting. Keanu Reeves tried to play an earnest comeback and romantic role amidst all the foolishness and it really didn’t fit with the rest of the film. However, he was an excellent athlete. He did most of his own on-field shots and looked very believable as the quarterback. Gene Hackman was good when he was making snappy wisecracks, but his inspirational “Hoosiers” imitation was misplaced.
This film really belonged to the supporting actors like Orlando Jones (Clifford Franklin), Michael Taliferro and Faizon Love (The Jackson Twins), Ace Yonamine (Jumbo Fumiko), Rhys Ifans (Nigel “The Leg” Gruff) and all the cheerleaders who made the comedy work. Jon Favreau gets a special mention as the crazy S.W.A.T. officer turned linebacker who took the wild man role to the next level. The scenes with an incredulous Pat Summerall and John Madden were also fabulous.
This film won’t be fun for everyone, but it will have certain people falling off their chairs. I rated it an 8/10. Subtract two points if you aren’t amused by slapstick and boorish behavior, and another two if you aren’t a football fan. For the rest of you, be prepared to split a gut.
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Watch NFL Football Games Online | Watch NFL Playoffs Online Live
Watch NFL Football Games Online | Watch NFL Playoffs Online Live
Watch NFL Football Games Online | Watch NFL Playoffs Online Live
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