The Perfect Game (2010)

I loved the movie and actually was around when this all took place. Who cares if they embellished some things and left out others the story was told to show young people if they work hard at something that is important to them, they can reach their goals, become successful and feel proud of their achievements. This movie also showed the discrimination that took place in certain areas during this time period and how the players overcame the challenges this put upon them. This was a life lesson that all our young people could learn from. Both my grandchildren play baseball and they loved this movie. Their parents and grandparents watched it with them and got as much enjoyment out of the movie as they did..

I am a big fan of baseball at all levels. I had read before that Mexico had won the Little League World Series in 1957 and 1958. What I hadn't read, was anything about this team. I had no idea what they had to go through just to make it happen. This could easily be considered the greatest baseball story of all time. They not only overcame the fact that they had never played organized ball before. They had to overcome financial issues, discrimination and not having a coach for a while. This team had some kids with real talent, and I think they won because they wanted it more. I thought the acting in this movie was a little forced, but it was not terrible. Cheech Marin does a good job playing the priest. It has some more famous child actors as well as Marin, including Jake T. Austin who plays Max on Wizards Of Waverly Place and Moises Arias who played Rico on Hannah Montana. I think all the kids do a pretty good job. The movie is supposed to have a relaxed, light-hearted and family friendly feel and it does. However, it does not have this in a cheesy way. It takes on racism, and shows how the Mexican team overcame racism not only for themselves, but for a black player from another team in a restaurant. It shows the impact that they left on the people who saw them play. A local Texas reporter who hates baseball eventually develops into a person who loves this team and wants to cover them at Williamsport. I like the part where they get advice from the groundskeeper, who turns out to be legendary Negro League player Cool Papa Bell. There were a lot of elements included in this movie that really make you think, that hold your attention and capture your imagination. I rented this from a Redbox and watched it twice before taking it back. This movie also made me want to learn more about the real life team and I found a lot of good articles. I would recommend this movie for any serious baseball fan, and for any family that is looking for a good film to watch together. It crosses that audience spectrum in the same way that The Sandlot, Angels In The Outfield, Little Big League and Rookie Of The Year do. This story/movie has become one of my favorites ever. Highly recommended. Don't expect an Oscar winner in production quality, but it's a great watch nonetheless.

I just viewed the DVD of "The Perfect Game" and it left me somewhat bewildered as to why they attempted a theatrical release. The movie is not on that level. It would have been better served as a TV-movie. Set in 1957,it's based upon a very interesting true story about a group of impoverished Mexican kids who seek to establish a Little League team in their factory town. After coercing one of the factory workers with major league credentials (he was once a towel boy for the St. Louis Cardinals) to coach them,they gain membership in the league and defeat the highly touted rival Mexican team. Then,it's across the boarder into the United States and their quest for the Little League championship. You'd think that this would make a great movie. It didn't. Why? Two reasons. First,it was told in a lackluster manner. You've all seen the Little League playoff and championship games on TV over the years and they're very exciting. You don't feel any of that excitement in this movie. Second,the acting,for the most part,was flat. The only inspired performance was by Emilie de Ravin who played Frankie,a news reporter pressed into service,against her wishes,to cover the kids progress. She was spot-on playing her character. In fact,she has been spot-on in every performance that I've seen her in. Slowly,her character becomes won over by the kids as they win game after game in their march to the championship. Along the way,the team encounters a multitude of setbacks which they overcome with the help of others. In short,great story,bad presentation.

This is an absolutely perfect movie. Everything in it is perfect, from the story (based on a true story) all the way to the actors. This film is a rare treasure, such as only comes out once in many, many years. Truly moving, well acted, well filmed, well directed. A must see for all, young and old.I have just finished watching the Blu-ray version of this movie. I am glad to make it a permanent part of my collection, a movie I will watch over and over, for many years to come.If you have not seen it yet, don't walk, run to get it. Don't just rent it, buy it. You won't regret it.