Media/Arts

Sept. 21, 2006

Fanciful animated feature plays with baseball history

Just as baseball season starts to wind down and predictions regarding the World Series begin to pick up, 20th Century Fox has released a film illustrating all that people love about America’s pastime.

“Everyone’s Hero,” the story of a young boy that tries to help Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees win a World Series, is a farfetched yet endearing film that will make a baseball fan out of any child.

The family film, which portrays the Chicago Cubs as the antagonist trying to defeat the supernatural seeming Babe Ruth and his New York Yankees, is certainly cheesy, but also family-friendly. “Everyone’s Hero” teaches the potential for greatness that exists in every person, from every city, race and age group.

Yankee Irving, the main character of the story, finds himself caught in a pickle when his father loses his job at Yankee Stadium due to the disappearance of Babe Ruth’s bat Darlin’, voiced by Whoppi Goldberg. William H. Macy voices the character of Lefty Maginnis, a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who is assigned the task of stealing Ruth’s bat before the Cubs face the Yankees in the World Series at Wrigley Field in Chicago. As Yankee Irving figures out the true culprit of the theft, he begins his exciting chase and then escapes from Lefty Maginnis with Darlin’ and Screwie, a talking baseball Irving finds, voiced by Rob Reiner.

The film’s theme of perseverance against all odds — Irving meets quite a few obstacles between New York City and Chicago — was inspired by the story of Christopher Reeve, the original executive producer and director of “Everyone’s Hero.”  Importance of family relationships and belief in oneself is also emphasized in the humorously endearing film.

“Everyone’s Hero” even goes as far as to offer a surprisingly touching glimpse into the racial divides of baseball at that time by connecting Irving to the family of an African-American baseball player.

The animation is wonderfully vivid and unique as it portrays the American Northeast and Midwest of the first half of the 20th century. The moralistic storyline and themes of the film make “Everyone’s Hero” emerge as an animated feature that offers a great deal more than slapstick humor.

The film does not make innuendos, but exists purely for the sake of its child target audience. After acknowledging the audience, to enjoy the film it is necessary to suspend belief while watching it. “Everyone’s Hero” truly makes very little sense if one were to asses the plotline practically. It is a story that any young child will love, but viewers should not attend expecting to find a higher level of humor for adults built into the film.

“Everyone’s Hero” is a children’s film the family can watch together. Endearing and funny, it emphasizes the potential for every child to be great. The lesson is exaggerated, but it is one that will leave a lasting impression in the minds of the smiling children. And what parent wouldn’t smile at that?

Rebecca Bostic is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun. Comments are welcome. Send e-mail to letters@catholicsun.org.

CNS photo/20th Century Fox

Animated characters Yankee Irving, left, voiced by Jake T. Austin, and Babe Ruth, voiced by Brian Dennehy, star in a scene from the movie “Everyone’s Hero.”

“Everyone’s Hero” (20th Century Fox)

Charming Depression-era animated tale about a young boy (voiced by Jake T. Austin) who sets out — with the help of a magical talking baseball (Rob Reiner) — to recover the stolen lucky bat (Whoopi Goldberg) of his idol Babe Ruth (Brian Dennehy) during the 1932 World Series.

Directors Daniel St. Pierre and Colin Brady — building on work started by Christopher Reeve before his 2004 death — hit a home run with this visually delightful fable that has heart and a simple but winning message about familial love and perseverance. A mildly gross sight gag.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G — general audiences. All ages admitted.