Comedian Bernie Mac gets his first starring vehicle in this foulmouthed baseball comedy. He plays Milwaukee Brewer Stan Ross, a self-centered heavy hitter who retires from the game after 3,000 hits, expecting an automatic entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The complication is that when Hall of Fame officials finally--after nine long years--re-do his tally for official consideration, they realize three of his hits where counted twice, so he's only "Mr. 2,997." As his whole life's been revolving around the 3,000 mark, Stan has no choice but to sign up with the Brewers yet again, even though he's now 47 and has not exactly been exercising during his retirement. What could have been just another feel-good sports film--with Stan learning the value of friendship and working together as he gets a second chance at being a team-player--is turned into a laconic, dryly amusing film thanks to Mac's vast array of comic tics, tricks, and perfect comedic timing. Angela Bassett is the smart sports reporter who was once Stan's lover and now won't give him the time of day. And Paul Sorvino sulks excellently as the coach Ross betrayed back in the day. Real-life baseballer Ryan J. White is also good as the new, obnoxious young hitter on the team, with whom Stan has to contend.

Rating: PG-13 (MPAA)

Rating Reason: sexual content and language

Runtime: 104 minutes

DVD Code: Region 1 US, CA

Genre: Comedies

Color: Color

Full Frame

Rating: DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33

Paul Sorvino, Bernie Mac, Angela Bassett, Christopher Noth, Chris Noth, Michael Rispoli

Charles Stone

Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum

"Be assured that he is very funny as an egotistical vintage baseball star attempting a comeback. But he also shows some range and resonance..."
Los Angeles Times (09/17/2004)

"Bernie Mac gives a funny and kind of touching performance as a man who attains greatness once and then has to do it again."
Chicago Sun-Times (09/17/2004)

"The film is easygoing and easy to take..."
USA Today (02/04/2005)