And yet another "Rocky"

Rating: 7/10 (21 September 2006)

Old South-Phillie-town.... trashed and worn out, with hard times, broken love and broken dreams in spades, but it turns out to be a winner anyway, even though this story's been done so many times before. Hard to say that any new creative ground was broken with Invincible, but it was well done and con-Vinc(e)-ing enough to get a thumbs-up from me. We all love to see a deep underdog win, even if it's for the 100th time, and even in worn out Rocky-town. This was a football Rocky flick, yes, but the story moves our hearts just the same, as it is a profoundly human story that will always move us if well told, and this one was surely well told. Faith and hope are what keeps us all going, and this film was filled with both.
What I liked best is that it showed that people still can and do pull together for a common cause if their beliefs are strong enough, even if it's sports and not the world of real life(To these guys, the Eagles were more important than real life). Beliefs here were shown to be stronger almost than breathing, really more like a choice between life and death. The poor, struggling but tough-as-nails guys shown in this 'hood had such a hard time being even close to successful in life, but their faith in the Eagles kept them going until it all finally paid off in a winner, and especially for Vince Papali, the bartender/substitute teacher profiled so well here. And, he got the girl! Yo, Adrian, where are you when we need you?