The Replacements Have Heart

I went to this film to see a fun summer movie and for Mr Reeves (Yea, Keanu fan here ). I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I'm a sucker for underdog movies and this delivers.

The story involves a football strike, in which the pro players walk off and this particular team (Washington Sentinels) brings in scab replacement players. Gene Hackman is hired to coach the "new" team for the last few games at the end of the season, which have playoff potential.

The Replacement players are a hoot. Great characters..each one different and unique. Jon Favreau plays a cop who reallyyyy gets into the hitting of the game. The 7up dude is a blast as a butterfingered receiver. The Nottinghill Dude is also a blast as a chain smoking field goal kicker. Oh yea, there is also a preacher, sumo wrestler, some bouncers, a deaf player...all bringing a uniqueness to the game.

Now to Keanu. He plays Shane Falco--the guy who blew his career w/a bad showing in the Sugar bowl four years earlier. He has never lived it down and thus retired from life and football. Pretty much spends his days cleaing gunk off the bottom of boats. The Falco character is in need of extreme amount of self confidence and he gets it by getting a second chance with the Sentinels.

I was really impressed w/ Reeve's performance. The Falco character is just such a nice,sweet, sad type of guy that you just Want good things to happen to him. Reeves plays him perfect..low key, unassuming --just a good person. Your not going to get Reeves as "Neo" in the movie...what you will get is a decent guy trying to do good.

To round out the movie there is a nice love interest w/ Annabelle (Brooke Langton) the cheerleader/bar owner. Also a hilarious bunch of "Replacement" cheerleaders.

Overall , anyone who wants to get some laughs, some football, some underdogs will enjoy this movie. The audience I saw it with was on the edge of their seats for the last game. Also deny anyone not to at least have a little grin during the "I will Survive dance"--yea its hokey but it sure is cute. Its really an enjoyable flick.

HOttie Content--10+ Keanu in skinny football pants, in a towel, in a wet suit. Hair--long and straight and very shiny. Clothes- jeans, flannel, jackets, and cap.