Rookie, The

I love baseball! More so, now, over the past few years because I've come toappreciate and understand the real feeling for the game that I hadn't hadbefore. I'm glad I did, because it's such a good game with a lot of feelingand pride behind it. This spring catch a few games with your friends onthe bleachers when the sun is hot and the breeze is warm, where the dustwill be flying and the crack of the bat hitting the ball will send thecrowd roaring like lions! So root for your team with all that's inside you.

The Rookie is as all-American as a picnic on the Fourth of July. What makesthis movie even more special than a classic Hollywood ending would have youhoping for, is something so remarkable and special in storytelling. Youwon't see this script thrown under a hundred other scripts because this onecomes from the true life story of Jim Morris and it's a beauty of a storythat will give you goose bumps of joy!

The beginning of the movie offers some inside statistics about Jim'schildhood. Yes, there was an awful lot of traveling due to the fact hisdad, Jim Morris, Sr. (Brian Cox), was in the service and his mom (BethGrant) held the pieces together. Fourteen moves later, Jim Morris' familysettles in Texas and that is where this story will continue. Jim Morris(Dennis Quaid) hoped to make it big as a star baseball player in theMajors, but an unfortunate shoulder injury put an end to that. Now, he'steaching high school chemistry and coaching the Owls baseball team, but hestill dreams of that goal he held strong. He's happily blessed with aloving and supportive wife, Lorri (Rachel Griffiths), and their threedarling children, especially with his son, Hunter (Angus T. Jones), whojust lights up when his daddy is playing ball. He's always by his side andlooks up to him so much. One day Joaquin "Wack" Campos (Jay Hernandez) andhis team of misfits baseball players make a bet with the coach; if they winthe district championship, the coach will try out for the Major Leagues.Well, the team did it, and now the coach is faced with the obligation oftrying out for the Majors and then to his family where a new jobopportunity has presented itself with financial dollar signs all over it.

Quaid is a genuine shining star; he's able to transform into this role withsuch a connection to the true spirit of Jim Morris' life. What an honor itmust have been to portray Morris' lifelong legacy of hope with suchdecency, care, and outstanding perfectionism as Dennis Quaid projected onscreen. Dennis, you hit this one out of the ballpark! Rachel Griffithsshowed what love and support is all about and did so with remarkabletenderness and humor. Jay Hernandez was so good in this part -- justawesome! I really fell for his role -- great style, great presence onscreen. Trevor Morgan, who played the young Jim Morris, was delightful,enigmatic, and quite a scene stealer; Angus T. Jones was adorable, a sweetand talented little rascal! Overall, a most memorable cast gave it theirall and made this film a grand slam of family entertainment!

The Rookie is a movie that fills your need to have a movie hit home andwarm you with tender family entertainment that not only emphasizes belief,faith, and reaching as far as you can with your dreams, but it's also a"feel good" movie you can show your kids that will set sterling examplesfor life. Also, among this being thoroughly enjoyable from start tofinish, best of all, it's a true story of dreams coming true.