North Dallas Forty on steroids

Rating: 7/10 (6 September 2000)

Oliver Stone tackles pro football with this high octane dissection of a fictional Miami team. On the short side, the film's story about an aging coach doesn't show us anything new and presents a minimal challenge to Pacino. On the long side, the film is crisscrossed with subplots, showcases some fine acting talent, serves up plenty of bone-jarring grid iron action, and revs up the tempo so the 166 minute running time passes quickly. If nothing else, this entertaining flick reminds us that pro football is not a sport but a business which chews up and spits out athletes in its lust to separate the fan from his money.