The
Replacements - Action man, Keanu Reeves shines as Gridiron Underdog!
"Athletes always dream of a second chance -
these men lived it!"
Here a bunch of misfits get that second opportunity
to live a dream and go from underdogs to gridiron top dogs in this
latest American Football movie from the Warner Home Video
Like all good sports pics, there is no shortage
of end to end action on the field, but like "Any Given Sunday
centered on the seedier side of the nations number on sport, "The
Replacement" goes for laughs, and even though some gridiron
annoraks may dig up some continuity discrepancises, the film its
self does not lack in grandstand excitement.
The Washington Sentinels are knocking on the door
of reaching the play offs when under the direction of star Quarterback,
Eddie Martell, tries to hold the team to ransom by striking for
more pay.
Undaunted, the owner drafts in veteran coach, Jimmy
McGinty (Gene Hackman) to assemble a an replacement team who
have just a matter of days to find their team spirit, a game plan
as well as deal with the militant tactics of the striking pros.
But with a deaf Tight End, a Receiver with great
speed but having rubber hands, a psychopathic police swat team veteran
come Linebacker a Welsh kicker, who is hooked on nicotine and addicted
to gambling a Sumo Wrestler for an offensive lineman and not forgetting
a cheerleading squad full of strippers it is certainly not going
to be an easy ride
But as this is gridiron- Hollywood style, you would
not expect anything less. However if you follow the game,
what your are guaranteed is plenty of hilarious moments.
Leading the new band of gridiron guerrillas on the
field is Hollywood Action Hero, Keanu Reeves who slots in nicely
as the team's washed out quarterback, Shane Falco, who despite having
a reputation of losing his nerve in crucial game situations needs
to dig deep into his reserves to come through for the team.
Reeves works beautifully alongside Gene Hackman
as McGinty who looks as if he based his wardrobe on the late Vince
Lombardi, but shows that there is more to his repertoire than just
action films giving a convincing and enjoyable performance as the
veteran Head Coach.
Amongst the other star names to look for is Orlando
Jones as Clifford Franklin, the speedy receiver with jittery hands,
Jon Favreau as the psycho cop turned Linebacker, Daniel Bateman
and Notting Hill star, Rhys Ifans.
There may be certain technical elements of the game
that the gridiron anoraks may try to complain about in terms of
accuracy, but lovers of the game should take the film for what it
is, a fun movie about a fun sport and is a must for any sports video
collection.
The Replacements
is now available from all good video stockists
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