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The Rookie

(1,920)6.92 h 8 min2002G

A baseball coach makes the major league after making a bet.

Directors: John Lee Hancock

Starring: Dennis Quaid Rachel Griffiths Jay Hernandez

Genres: Drama Kids

Subtitles: English [CC]

Audio languages: English

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Supporting actors: Brian Cox John Lee Hancock Mike Rich

Studio: WDP

Rating: G (General Audience)

Purchase rights: Stream instantly Details

Format: Prime Video (streaming online video)

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$14.97

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from $10.37

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$56.37

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5 star		86%
4 star		9%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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David

Great transfer of a family-friendly film

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2013

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This film tells the true story of Jim Morrison, who got a rare second chance at his dream. Morrison had wanted to pitch in the major leagues since he was a boy. But he blew out his shoulder in the minor leagues, which brought an end to his dream. So Morrison went off to college and ended up teaching at his alma mater in west Texas, where he also coaches the baseball team. Now approaching middle age with a wife and three children, he seems like the least likely candidate for a shot at a baseball career. But he goes for it anyway.

This is a heart-warming, family-friendly movie. Dennis Quaid brings a likeable, everyman quality to the Morrison character. Rachel Griffiths' performance is equally strong as Lorri Morrison--she is perfectly convincing as a Texan (Griffiths is actually Australian). The casting director also found some cute kids to play the Morrison children, especially a very young Angus Jones, who plays the oldest. In the cynical world in which we live, critics might complain that this movie is a bit saccharine. Well, it is, in a Disney kind of way. But that's okay. It is wholesome entertainment for the whole family.

The quality of the blu-ray transfer is excellent. Crisp details; good colors; great sound. If you are considering an upgrade from DVD, it is worth it.

Parental Advisory. This movie is rated G. There are a couple of instances of mild language. In two scenes, characters are seen sipping a beer (but no drunkenness). In another scene, a married couple is talking in bed. Her shoulders are bare, but there is no nudity or sexuality. This is a movie that most parents would feel comfortable showing even to small children.

I highly recommend The Rookie as a movie for the whole family--and not just those who are baseball fans. This is a human interest story first, and a baseball movie second.

14 people found this helpful

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Transcendental Thomist

Decent dramatization of real-life baseball story

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2013

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Not bad for a Disney film, but not great either. Dennis Quaid plays a real-life high school teacher and baseball coach in West Texas who successfully landed a major league pitching gig for the Tampa Bay Rays after trying out for the team to keep a promise to his players. Like most Disney movies, the film is full of superficial and glib moments, and it's ultimately less moving than it could or should be. Based on the real-life player's memoirs, and filmed not long after the actual events, it is likewise limited by its fidelity to the author's narcissistic self-image. In particular, something rings false about his insistence (as played by Quaid in the movie) that he's playing Major League Baseball to give his own children a hero to admire. Considering that he's basically abandoned his family and high school paycheck to play baseball on the road, it's really hard to see how he's following his dream for anyone other than himself, as his wife and kids get no particular benefit from it -- and his kids are too young to really understand what daddy is doing. But Dennis Quaid is likable in the lead role and his final scene with his emotionally distant father at the film's end is a touching moment in an otherwise trite screenplay. If you like Disney's lightweight dramatic style, you will enjoy showing this film to the family, particularly if you are a baseball fan. In any event, it's competently done, but nothing too special.

5 people found this helpful

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"There's a story told in the town of Big Lake, Texas."

Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2008

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Jim Morris's father (to Jim): "It's okay to think about what you want to do until it was time to start doing what you were meant to do."

THE ROOKIE tells the inspirational true story of pitcher Jim Morris, who in 1999 finally made it to major league baseball at the ripe old age of 35. Morris might've only stuck around in the big leagues for 2 years (injuries cropped up), but, give this underdog tremendous props, he was able to realize his life-long dream. Now, to me, THE ROOKIE seems more of a family flick (with some baseball thrown in) rather than specifically a sports movie. Not that it matters. Family flick, sports movie. Listen, it's a must see picture.

SPOILERS alert.

The plot now: Ever since he was a very young boy Jim Morris has loved baseball. Even as his father's military job kept the family constantly on the move, he never lost his passion for the game. At last finding stability in the dusty little oiling town of Big Lake, West Texas, Jim grows up and gets a chance at the minor league, only to succumb to debilitating injuries and forced to give up the sport. For most folks, that'll be the end of the story. Not for Jim Morris.

Cut to many years later. Jim is now a family man, with a loving wife and three wonderful kids. He's a high school science teacher and coach of the high school baseball team, which has only won one game each for the last two seasons. Most times Jim still likes to throw the baseball. Unfathomably he finds himself throwing harder than ever, now throwing heat up to the high 90's, a fact which doesn't go unnoticed by his high school baseball team. The story's turning point comes when, after a particularly lousy game by his high school kids, Jim makes a deal with them. Should they reach the state playoffs, Jim'll try out again for the majors. Well, they do. So he does.

SPOILERS end.

THE ROOKIE may be based on a true story, but, in its warm spirit and longshot underdog-ity, there's almost an element of fantasy here, of a wish realized and a dream achieved. In a way, it reminds me of Field of Dreams (Widescreen Two-Disc Anniversary Edition) . Inspirational? Absolutely. Heartwarming. Most definitely. I have nothing negative to say about this film. It teaches lessons in perseverance and sacrifice and faith in family and in yourself. Sure, some of the scenes are contrived, but, guess what, these moments still brought a lump to my throat.

The cast is very good, with a particular nod to Dennis Quaid, who is excellent and warm and keeps the fairy tale aspects mostly grounded. And, y'know, Dennis still has his go-to saucy big grin and his easy charisma. Jim's father tells him: "It's okay to think about what you want to do until it was time to start doing what you were meant to do." And Dennis wonderfully conveys the conflict he struggles thru, which stems from discarding practicality and family obligations in order to chase his rainbow. Rachel Griffiths's Lorri Morris gets my vote for most understanding wife of that year.

Special features include: the audio commentary by Dennis Quaid and Director John Lee Hancock; "The Inspirational Story of Jim Morris" - a 20 minute featurette spent with the real life Jim Morris as he relives the moments which inspired the film; "Spring Training" - the film's baseball coordinator gives tips on pitching, catching, fielding, hitting, and on the proper application of mustard on hot dogs; and 7 deleted scenes (total of almost 18 minutes), each scene with an intro by the director.

If you haven't seen THE ROOKIE yet, you're missing out on something good. And see this one with your family, so you can hug 'em all throughout the movie.

9 people found this helpful

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Rich Whitcomb

A great baseball movie that everybody should see.

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2015

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The Rookie is one of my favorite baseball movies. This movie is about the life of Jimmy Morris played by (Dennis Quaid) and what his life was like as a kid and grown up. This movie is based on a true story and is definitely one I would recommend to everybody. You will feel good after watching this movie. I guarantee you'll like it. It's a great family movie!

Yeah my review is super short, but I don't want to ruin anything if you decide to watch this because it's easy to spoil.

7 people found this helpful

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Mr. P. J. R. LEWIS

Fine acting, and a beautiful story that dreams can come true, if the ability is there.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2015

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Certainly one of those obscure films that one probably missed when it was originally released, but recently, the BBC decided to televise this most enjoyable movie at the most inconvenient time of 1am, which is a real shame, because it is a fine film.

Firstly, i tuned into it, thinking it was just another one of those cheesy American movies placed on television to fill up a time slot, but thankfully i stuck with it, and was so glad i did.

Why it retained my early interest, i do not know, because i am certainly no fan of American Baseball, but as there was nothing else on so late in the night, i thought WHY NOT.

Its testimony to a fine film, that i willingly sort it out on disc, so that i could watch it again, and that does not happen that often, with films i watch on the spur of the moment.

I did not realise it was based on a true story, but in hind sight, one can see why they made a movie about the life and career of Jim Morris, its a true American Dream situation, someone who really should not have been chosen by a major league team, but throwing the ball at nearly 100mph, he was in demand.

Now being 35 appears to be over the hill in sporting terms , and as an ageing baseball coach, who still had the ability to throw a ball at close to 100mph, it's a skill that players quite a bit younger cannot emulate, and it is because of this gift, and his ability shown on the sports field, especially as a talented coach, that he gets his big break

Why they chose Dennis Quaid, i am not sure, but he brings great meaning to the story, he is most convincing in the role, and strangely enough it is he who carries this film, and makes it such a treat for the whole family.

He has a most loving family, especially his doting 8yr old son, who lives and breaths Baseball, and his wife who sacrifices so much financially to allow her husband to realise his dream.

At times, the film becomes a little sentimental, but that is a good thing, dreams can become reality, and with the entire neighbourhood sharing his moments of glory, the film cannot really fail.

The tight directing, superb acting, by all the principal actors, makes this a most enjoyable film, and its a great reminder that those with the necessary skills, can still achieve great things later in life.

3 people found this helpful

DarthJango

As expected

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 24, 2020

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Son likes these DVD's, came fast and well packaged, played with no problems.

Amazon Customer

That the product arrived on time

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2019

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That the product works very well and is a good edition to my collection

Mr. M. Gunston

Great picture quality.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 9, 2018

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I have the standard DVD and the transfer is great. High quality visuals.

Richard Parker

good popcorn movie

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2014

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Yes, its cliched, yes you've seen better films in this genre (The Natural) but its still a good watch and as usual, Quaid's performance is what anchors the whole thing. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

One person found this helpful

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