Good overall, but some magical scenes (mild spoiler)

Rating: 8/10 (17 September 2001)

The Natural is known to be a Holy Grail movie set to Baseball. And, as such, it's a beautiful movie. It has interesting characters and a good story. But, that's not what makes this movie special. There are three home-run scenes in the film, an initial success, a comeback from adversity, and the triumphant finale. These are some of the most magnificent and magical moments ever captured on film. No other movie has ever caught the mystery of baseball in three short scenes as this one has. Okay, the film is a bit too long and the last scene of the movie is a bit hokey, but if you don't see any other part of The Natural, you will always remember that musical fanfare, showers of sparks, balls that seem to have been given wings, and knowing that there can be magic in a stick of wood.