Shows that formula pictures can work.

Rating: 9/10 (26 July 2003)

I'm not exactly sure how they did it, since I don't usually get so into sports movies, but I really cared about all of the characters, rooted for them, felt awful when they lost, and felt as if it was my victory when they won. If this is not great filmmaking, I don't know what is.
The only flaw of this movie is its length; it might have done better with a bit of editing, since some parts were slow, and didn't necessarily add much to the story or even make a whole lot of sense. Still, they were part of the movie, and may have been necessary to allow the best parts to make the maximum emotional impact (it's hard to tell, but it is the reason I gave it 9/10 instead of 10/10).
In any case, this is the best movie I've seen all year (and I've seen Whale Rider). Go see this movie! It makes me sad that the theaters have so few showtimes. Don't waste your time and money on drivel like Lara Croft 2 or Spy Kids 3D. See a real movie like this one instead.
Yes, it is a formula picture. David vs. Goliath and you know who wins. But it doesn't matter...this time it really works.