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THE REPLACEMENTS

posted 14 years ago by Isaac5855
2 replies | jump to latest

In the tradition of SLAPSHOT and THE LONGEST YARD, THE REPLACEMENTS was a charming and laugh-out loud sports film about a group of scabs for an on strike, fictional pro football team brought together by a long out of work coach (Gene Hackman) and long ago disgraced quarterback (Keanu Reeves) coaxed into a comeback.

There's nothing new or original here and the film is, for the most part, pretty predictable, but what makes the film special is the presence of Gene Hackman and the stylish professionalism he brings to the role of Jimmy McGinty. Hackman underplays the role so beautifully and allows the over the top performances by Jon Favreau and Orlando Jones among others, to shine in the appropriate moments without ever allowing himself to be pushed in the background. Hackman is so adept at doing this that you don't even see him doing it.

The casting of Hackman as Jimmy McGinty was a stroke of genius because it brought an element of class and charm that would have otherwise have been missing and made this just another slapstick sports comedy, but Hackman's presence and charisma takes the film to a more quality level.

[–] tralycr_c-1 13 years ago

It's a blatant rip-off of Necessary Roughness but I can't help but love it. I watch it all the time. (I even had a bit of a crush on Brooke Langton after seeing it in theaters. God, what a babe.)

There is a man...he travels fast...he has purpose...he brings violence and destruction.

[–] akb_00131984 12 years ago

It's a great film, used the Quicksand analogy in a Sports Psychology paper at University and got an A for it, with mention of a good, fresh use of make one mistake when playing followed by another, etc.

"My name is Lt. Aldo Raine"