I'm not a big sports movie guy. The plots are usually poorly construed the story line told in a poor fashion and the acting overdone. But this movie really surprised me. It tells a compelling story and is worth and couple major awards. Both Boseman and Ford deserved a nod for this one.

Though perhaps seeming preposterous to baseball fans, sports fans, or just cultural historians in general, there are many younger people alive today who do not know the incredible story of Jackie Robinson. Despite the fact that such an inspirational tale SHOULD be known and loved by all, part of the reason for the disparity is because the last mainstream-media version of the story was produced in 1950...just three years after Jackie broke the color barrier and starring Mr. Robinson as himself! Though a nice film in its own right, "42" truly captures the poignancy of the story using Hollywood drama.For a basic plot summary, "42" recounts how Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman), with the help of Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Along the way viewers are introduced to other key players in the Robinson saga including wife Rachel (Nicole Beharie), manager Leo Durocher (Christopher Meloni), and fellow teammates like Pee Wee Reese (Lucas Black) and Dixie Walker (Ryan Merriman).In terms of telling the basics about the Jackie Robinson story, "42" is a superb rendition. All of the important events are touched upon and in their proper places, while even the little details (like what the old-time stadiums looked like) are replicated. You'll feel like you are truly back in late 1940's America, warts and all.What truly makes this film stand out, though, is the acting from pretty much all the main characters. Ford especially shines with his spot-on Rickey, while Boseman embodies the courage, grace, and often torment that Robinson perpetuated on a day-to-day basis. On one occasion, Alan Tudyk (playing a particularly galling opposing manager) shines in his portrayal of the kind of racism that was hurled at Jackie from ballpark to ballpark.The only reason I can't give this film a full five stars? Simplicity. This is very much a "by the basics" type of movie and thus if (like me) you already know the ins-and-outs of the Robinson story, it won't have you thinking about anything new or touch any emotions that you haven't already felt. This is very much a film for those you know nothing about Robinson.Overall, though, "42" is an excellent choice of film-making if only because it revives a subject in desperate need of a face-lift. The experience can be enjoyed by the entire family (children all the way on up) and pretty much every segment of the population. I am glad that it was made.

42, in my opinion, is an excellent and well-made biopic about one of the greatest professional African-American baseball players of all time. If I had been Jackie (Chadwick Boseman), I would have decked anyone that yelled any kind of racial slur at me. I especially loved everyone that idolized him. If you ask me, the production design was excellent, the costumes were well-designed, the direction was flawless, and the performances were top- grade. In conclusion, I highly recommend this excellent and well-made biopic about one of the greatest professional African-American baseball players of all time to any baseball fan who hasn't seen it. You'll be glad you did.

'42', which is the answer to the ultimate question in the universe, is also that historic and legendary uniform number held by Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play major league baseball. Brian Helgeland's biopic film on Robinson tells a polished and engaging version of the baseball hero that changed the nation. With phenomenal performances from Chadwick Boseman as Robinson himself, both fans of baseball and Robinson, along with a younger crowd who has never heard of the baseball player will eat this film up. The box office will draw some decent money, even if the director tries to head us over the head with what we are supposed to be feeling.We focus on the years 1945-1947 in '42' as we segue into last part of the film, which is Robinson's first year as an actual major league baseball player. Similar to the 1950 'Jackie Robinson Story' (where Robinson played himself), one of the vital scenes is where Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) asks Robinson if he has what it takes to keep a cool head while his teammates, fans, and opposing teams harass him because of the color of his skin. And that is one of the main reasons Robinson was a hero. Not only did he impress everyone on the baseball field, but he showed great courage and restraint against his aggressors.Rickey, maybe a man before his time, but certainly wanting to make a difference in the world socially and racially, hires Robinson to the Monteal Royals farm team, where we see Robinson taunted by his manager, teammates, going so far as to make him sleep separately from the team while on the road with a black family in town. But just like a good father, Rickey always says the right things at the right moments and has reminded Robinson to show his anger and voice on the field, rather than sink to the other's levels.On opening day in Jersey City, Robinson hits a powerful home-run to which his manager says, "He might be superhuman after all." Now that piece of dialogue wasn't necessary, but the film is riddled with instances like this. Rather than have the character's actions tell the story on their own, there is always some piece of dialogue to punch in this face to tell us exactly what we need to feel. That is this film's flaw, which isn't a huge problem, but is annoying as it happens too often.We do get a fair share of the racism that was hurdled towards Robinson throughout the film as we see his own teammates signing petitions to not play with him and specifically an obnoxious manager named Ben Chapman (Alan Tudyk) who pitches the n-word and every other slang term at the ball player. However, all of these terrible moments for Robinson are almost immediately redeemed by some form of just punishment in the form of a victory or great play. On the other end of the spectrum, Robinson has a few supporters of integrating races in sports, such as manager Leo Durocher (Christopher Meloni) and a couple of colleagues, who all try to make it easier and help out Robinson.With the use of some CG work, some of the baseball fields and stadiums looked amazing as if the cast and crew were really in the 40s making a baseball film. The wardrobe and settings are spot on. Harrison Ford does a good job as Rickey, however his character seems to only go one direction, which is the father figure who doles out good advice. It's a good performance, but not much depth there. Tudyk and Meloni turn in great performances when they are on screen. And I was very happy to see John C. McGinley play Red Barber, the radio announcer. McGinley, mostly known as Dr. Cox on 'Scrubs' does an amazing job of being very animated and a lot of fun.And Boseman shines as the celebrated Robinson. Not only is he a plausible athlete, but his charm and dramatic sense of keeping his anger at bay, shows off his acting chops, which he has plenty of. Since Robinson had really nobody to talk to about his difficult times during this period in his life other than his wife, I would have though that his spouse would have had a more prominent role in the film, but that's not the case. I would have liked to see a bit more of their relationship, if only to see Robinson's escape from all of the hatred.'42' is a very good movie and will definitely have an impact on and inspire many people, especially the younger crowd. Robinson's story is a great one to tell, and here, it's told with grace and class. Even if Helgeland wanted to make a lighter film on such a sore and controversial subject, '42' is still a home-run.