Just my opinion!

Rating: Null/10 (2 August 2000)

Why is it that people persist in looking for criticism. Now if you had a problem with the acting or something, that is fine. I personally thought it was exceptional. But why must people claim they didn't like this film because they are not "sports fans". Or they don't like Stone or Pacino, or they don't like loud noise. This is ridiculous criticism as it does not criticise the movie, but simply states it doesn't relate to your interests. Those who criticise the plot of this movie, who call it "sugar coated" or some other term, have missed something. First of all, you are looking way too hard for criticism, because if you believe the exterior of this movie is "sweet" then the movie has indeed achieved its purpose, to entertain. What does it matter what is beneath if what you could clearly see was great? Does not matter anyway because there was no single plot in this film, rather several simultaneous stories, or "battles". This sport was portrayed like war, and each sub-plot was a battle of the war. Old versus young, tradition versus change, girl versus boy, money versus passion, there are endless themes. This film was indeed intellectual, but in a different sense of the word. It was smart in its ability to portray these themes successfully, but filled with passion and rationality at the same time. These characters DID have incredible depth, vulnerability and confusion, love and desires, backgrounds. Bottom line is this film is full of action! It isn't all about the action, but it is fast and furious with raw power! It is not exhausting but enthralling and exciting. The film edited to brilliance, with the most amazing football scenes I have seen. "Rudy" turned football into poetry and dreams, which was magnificent, this movie turned football into war with fire, toughness, brute force and inspiration. There were great speeches made throughout that made you feel strong. This movie was about another side of humanity, about the ones who participate in this sport, and anything of similar nature. These men and women (Cameron Diaz, Lauren Holly) are tough, not heartless, just tough and passionate about something, and what that was differed among them. Some of the football scenes gave such an incredible adrenalin rush particularly with the soundtrack behind it. It really pumped you up, but the feel of it, the way the movie hangs around you afterwards, it has a different feel about it, the movie was a little dark, a bit alternative (by no means a cliche). I am still thinking about days later, that was how powerful it is, with the enormous football stunts and flips...I mean it gave such impact. Like the players, this movie was tough and strong and full of powerful. Don't criticise it by finding weaknesses or calling it "sugar coated" because this movie is not weak or sweet, it is tough and powerful...and I felt..inspirational! Thanks, go see it!