A little bumpy, but runs solid

Rating: Null/10 (28 February 1999)

The only problem with BASEketball is it tries to mix in the standard "We will overcome our temptations and tribulations" plot that dots so many other movies. The exposition is actually the slowest part of the movie. Fortunately, that aspect is so by the numbers, only minimal time is spent advancing the story, figuring the audience can fill in the rest. That frees up more screen time for the hilarious gags. The psyche-outs by the Beers are hilarious, and the constant riffs on the faux purity of modern sports will draw anyone in. The sport actually celebrates poor sportsmanship. The cheerleaders don't lead cheers, but act as open-air coochie girls. The team from Dallas, recalling the extracurricular trouble players get into, is called the Fellons. One sports mogul is rich enough to pay Kareem Abdul-Jabar to sit in a glass case on private display. If modern sports depresses you, and you want something hip, aware, and funny, get it and you won't be disappointed.