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Writer - Robert Kurtz and Jeff Hand, based on a story by Howard Jonas

Director of photography - Jan Carlee

Music - John Debney

Producers - Ron Tippe and Igor Khait

20th Century Fox. 88 minutes. Rated G.

STARRING THE VOICES OF: William H. Macy (Lefty), Rob Reiner (Screwie), Raven-Symoné (Marti), Dana Reeve (Yankee’s mother), Jake T. Austin (Yankee Irving), Mandy Patinkin (Yankee’s father) and Whoopi Goldberg (Darlin’).
 

Note: In the interest of protecting my reputation as an animated-film lover, I’m going to have to set aside my nit-picking for this review. (See my review of Monster House if you’re wondering what I mean.) The truth is, I’ve tried to use the same critical criteria for live-action and animated films, rather than viewing them as different forms of art, and I’ve found that it just doesn’t work. While issues of historical accuracy, character development, and technique still matter in animation, they’re not as central, perhaps, as in live-action. So I’ll treat them that way, and leave my comments regarding historicity, character weaknesses and inconsistencies, poor voice casting, cheesy music montages, and plotholes for other reviews to cover.]

‘Nough said.

Everyone’s Hero follows the efforts of a ten-year-old boy trying to restore both a baseball legend’s status and his dad’s job. When the Chicago Cubs’ manager conspires with the pitcher to steal Babe Ruth’s prize bat “Darlin’” (voiced by Whoopi Goldberg), Yankee Irving’s dad loses his position as Yankee Stadium groundskeeper, and Yankee himself looks like the guilty party. With the help of Screwie, the talking baseball (Rob Reiner), Yankee sets out to restore Babe’s bat and his dad’s employment in time for the final game of the ’37 World Series.

The opening sequence is probably the most creative and unique visual aspect of the movie—we are treated to a long foul ball from the perspective of the baseball. It’s a short segment, but just dizzying enough to be effective and fun. After that, the animation itself stays pretty routine, though color is used very effectively in the scenery (a pretty stunning background sunset and the background details of the stadium scenes come to mind pretty readily).

The theme of the movie, though, is actually worth discussing—especially since the intended audience is pretty clearly children. Yankee Irving is a baseball embarrassment—his lack of skill and coordination make even the geeky kids and fat boys of the neighborhood team look like major leaguers. So his dad’s encouragement to “keep swingin’,” even when it looks wiser to give up and sit out, echoes in young Yankee’s baseball-loving brain as he considers giving up his quest to return Darlin’ to her rightful owner. His choice to stay true to his hard-working father in the face of almost certain failure is sure to provide encouragement for all the other kids who are the last ones standing in the team-picking lineup, as well as a laugh for those of us adults who have memories of such painful experiences.

Basically, it’s a good animated feature. Definitely entertaining enough for the adults whose children will truly enjoy the pratfalls of Lefty Maginnis, the maniacal ravings of Mr. Cross, the Cubs’ general manager, and the earnest, pure-hearted loyalty of a Depression-era boy whose honest, hard-working father’s reputation — not just his job — is at stake.

With all the sports-centered films currently playing in which losers become winners, Everyone’s Hero will keep America’s kids in the game. It’s honest and clean, and, like Cars, recalls an era when things like baseball and hard work were things that mattered to ten-year-old kids and their struggling parents — as well as loudmouth foul balls — whose dreams can become reality when they just keep swingin’.

For more information on Jenn Wright, including his email address, check out her Blogger profile page.