A fun and enjoyable film

Rating: 7/10 (17 August 2001)

Finally a football movie that gives the viewer what they want, football. Yes, "The Replacements" is a stupid, unrealistic movie, but it's not meant to be taken that seriously. It's a comedy overall, but also features some great football action with hilarious performances by John Favreau and Ryhs Ifans. The thing that surprised me is that it's actually pretty well written. For a film that doesn't try to achieve any kind of social commentary, it's screenplay doesn't dip into the melodrama of "Any Given Sunday," or the cheesy themes of "Rudy." Of course, there is a love story involved, but by making the woman not just a cheerleader but actually very knowledgeable about football, it allows her to interact in the story and not just be the token babe. Keanu Reeves, who I normally ridicule relentlessly, is at his dunderheaded best in a role that seems to suit him almost as well as his character in "The Matrix" did. I was surprised/delighted to see Gene Hackman in this film; he gives it a center of gravity around which all the other characters revolve. Overall, not taking itself too seriously is the greatest asset to this movie. Just having this quality, from which many other films could benefit, gives it a light-hearted feel that's just plain fun to watch.