This handsomely animated, well-directed and -voiced G-rated film, set in the hope-starved era of the Depression, takes on special poignancy as the last directing project of Christopher Reeve.
Everyone's Hero (2006)
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Reviews Counted:65
Fresh:26
Rotten:39
Average Rating:5.2/10
Consensus: Everyone's Hero is such a predictable and bland tale that it'll appeal mostly to little kids; others seeking something in Pixar's league are looking in the wrong ballpark.
Runtime: 90 mins
Genre: Childrens
Synopsis: This heartwarming, wholesome family fare was originally conceived by the late Christopher Reeve (SUPERMAN), and reflects a theme of perseverance against all odds from which the whole family can... This heartwarming, wholesome family fare was originally conceived by the late Christopher Reeve (SUPERMAN), and reflects a theme of perseverance against all odds from which the whole family can learn. Set in Depression-era New York, the film follows 10-year-old baseball fan Yankee Irving (voiced by Jake T. Austin), who is more adept at remembering stats than he is at playing the game. Despondent over his sandlot misfires, Yankee is cheered when he makes the acquaintance of a baseball named Screwie (voiced by Rob Reiner) who can actually talk. Later, Yankee visits his dad at the Yankee Stadium, where he is allowed to visit Babe Ruth's famous bat, Darlin' (voiced by Whoopi Goldberg). The bat soon goes missing, Dad loses his job, and Yankee takes off for Chicago with a notion to deliver the bat to Babe. Along the way, he makes numerous friends, including a trio of down-and-out bums who take him under their wing, and a little girl with a mean pitch. The scene with the Detroit Tigers, where the team gives Yankee baseball pointers en route to Chicago, is the film's most charming, while the bumbling bad guy, Lefty Maginnis (voiced by William H. Macy), provides an abundance of slapstick humor. Despite the dubiousness of Babe Ruth's appeal to contemporary youngsters, the story works by concerning itself more with family values, friendship, perseverance, and good clean fun, than with baseball per se. The standout cast also includes Brian Dennehy as the Babe, and Forest Whitaker as the Tigers player Yankee befriends. The soundtrack features original music by Brooks & Dunn, Wyclef Jean, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. [More]
Starring: Jake T. Austin, Rob Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, William H. Macy
Starring: Jake T. Austin, Rob Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, William H. Macy, Brian Dennehy, Forest Whitaker, Mandy Patinkin, Robert Wagner, Joe Torre, Dana Reeve
Director: Christopher Reeve, Colin Brady
Director: Christopher Reeve, Colin Brady
Composer: John Debney
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Reviews for Everyone's Hero
It's a shame that Christopher Reeve's final directorial effort could not have been a more fitting, and lasting, tribute.
This computer-animated baseball adventure espouses a shopworn moral about persevering against long odds, but there's still plenty to recommend it, including memorable characters, solid storytelling, and accurate period detail.
Everyone’s Hero is a perfectly serviceable bit of family animation -- neither overtly saccharine nor overly sanguine.
If it's not in the same league of talking-inanimate-object cartoons as Cars, at least we can say it has heart. And that's always more important than stars.
Everyone's Hero is just the same old over-produced CGI-animated sap they keep shoveling at the kids--except there's a talking baseball and bat in this one. Fun!
The humor is gentle and fun-loving, the messages positive and the colors bright and cheery.
Christopher and Dana Reeves provide a paean to courage and not giving up, giving a slap in the face to Clint Eastwood's glorification of weakness and surrender, Million Dollar Baby.
This Fox effort isn't in the same ballpark as Pixar. It's not even in the same league.
Everyone's Hero has good values, a decent story and a happy ending. It will probably play a lot better on video, but for the moment it's on the big screen.
If you've always wanted to hear inanimate objects argue with each other in the personas of Cranky Jewish Guy and Sassy Black Woman, this is a dream come true.
[A] funny, sweet testament to... indefatigable endurance in the face of the most trying of circumstances...
perfect for what it is supposed to be - a nice little inspirational tale with a good message for young children
...has so much inspirational blather it makes you want to shove a bat down your throat, yet there are enough visual notes to keep you from self-inflicted injury.
I can't say Everyone's Hero strikes out -- it might distract little kids for a while -- but the directors needn't bother practicing their home run trots.
The indomitable spirit of Christopher Reeve shines through this little story.
Never explains its stupid idea of a talking baseball and a talking bat...The filmmakers presume too much in assuming we'll accept the "magic" "realism"...
As if being the lousiest team in baseball isn't bad enough, now the Chicago Cubs are being called out by a cartoon.
While this could be a hit with undemanding small fry, choosy adults might prefer to whistle for Lassie.
Latest News for Everyone's Hero
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September 25, 2006:
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