Johnny Utah is dead!!

Rating: 2/10 (17 September 2001)

I have never seen a movie with such repulsive, one-dimensional, characters in my life. I love a feel-good, Rudy Ruettiger, make-a-guy-cry movie as much as the next guy, but this was HORRIBLE!!
While watching this movie, I was so embarrassed for the actors who had to belch out this insane dialogue and hollywood-formula BS that I wanted to leave. D.B. Sweeney, whom I usually enjoy, was lost playing the hardline opposing coach. Keanu Reeves was in Johnny Utah mode, which would have been great if this was Point Break 2. I kept waiting for Patrick Swayze to run in and start talking about baseball in terms of the Big Kahuna.
Where was the footage of Reeves actually teaching these kids to play baseball??? Or actually helping them to read "A Wrinkle in Time"? Seemingly, he waved his magic wand and this positive attitude and athletic ability appeared.
I had a hard time feeling sorry for Reeves character as a down and out gambler. More time should have been spent on his fathers death, and the ensuing downward spiral to make you actually FEEL something about Connor O'Neill. And as a baseball fan, I was offended by the baseball scenes. That was NOT Wrigley Field, or even Comiskey Park. It looked like old Tiger Stadium. Either film it at Wrigley, or don't put it in the movie.
I hope in 20 years someone remakes this movie and does it right!!