This was a fun, enjoyable, film. It's as much about accepting the maturity of middle-age as it is about the main plot of a retired pro baseball player literally getting back into the game to hopefully achieve a benchmark statistic: 3,000 base hits. Bernie Mac is player Stan Ross, and Mac's onstage standup persona informs much of the portrayal of Ross: Gruff, self-confident, chip on his shoulder, but also with a sensitive side beneath all the "onion" layers. Ross's presence on his old team is polarizing among the players, but he quickly becomes an unofficial assistant coach, offering salient observations about team player performance and the competition alike. This film was produced by Touchstone/Buena Vista, so look for cameos by Disney-owned ESPN personalities as well as other celebrity pundits and TV hosts.Ross's behavior before his retirement pushes the edge of cartoon-like satire, but the ensuing plot progression is intriguing, including the relationship with Bassett's sports reporter "Mo". This aspect in particular bears mentioning. Here you have two middle-aged African American single adults (especially Bassett, who remains severely underused) who are allowed to be vulnerable, haughty, and nervous with one another. It's a demographic portrayal that is often bereft in mainstream American film releases.The bullpen camaraderie is engaging, particularly the mutual ongoing hazing and the tensions between Ross and Pennebaker. Intriguingly, the asides between the two men have nothing to do with race, but the price of letting ego drive your career even if you're talented-- Ross being a Baby Boomer who came of age when African American player participation and fan attention was at a zenith, and Pennebaker being a Gen X guy in the era of astoundingly huge contracts, hip-hop-infused on-and-off-field flamboyance, yet dwindling black American players and fans alike. Ross's chase of hit 3000 is a worthy main plot, but the generation gap in modern pro baseball could have provided another intriguing alternative narrative.

If you like baseball and you dislike preening, smug, rich whiny athletes, you should enjoy Mr 3000. If you're not a baseball fan, pass on this one. Not worth your time. The late Bernie Mac makes this movie work. He is 'Mr 3000' for most of the first half of the story. He struts. He preens. He sells himself as 'gods gift' to baseball and all things Stan Ross - his film name. From his car dealerships and restaurants to any and all baseball memorabilia that can make him another buck. He sells it, big time. The only thing he can't seem to sell. A place in baseball's Hall of Fame. A place he dearly wants and desperately seeks. After all. how can they deny him a place if he actually had a 3000 hit career? Well, there you go - **Plot Spoiler** - as it turns out he really doesn't have 3000. And here you have the 2nd half of the film / plot twist(ed)... Yea, he gets a chance to redeem himself / become a good guy / get in Hall of Fame / win the girl, in the last 45 minutes or so. And, it works, kinda. If you believe major league baseball would give a retired, fat, 47 yr old, bad-boy a 2nd chance, well, it is a Disney movie...

I love movies and I love watching sports. Not surprisingly, I really enjoy sports movies. Good ones. This is a very good one.Bernie Mac, as the ragingly ego maniacal baseball star Stan Ross, accomplishes the near impossible. He makes us despise his character, then pity him, and finally adore him. He is completely comfortable in the role, and commands the screen with almost shocking ease.The movie doesn't go for a home run, and therein lies much of its strength. This isn't "The Natural." The director and writer are content to tell a straightforward but very entertaining story with a good message for athletes of all ages. "Mr. 3000" is funny and ultimately quite touching, and the ending is both surprising and fitting.My kids enjoyed the movie as much as I did. So count this as three "thumbs up" for a Hollywood movie with a little bit of heart.

This is a great movie. You will enjoy it if you think a bit. It is funny at times; philosophical at times and at times it even manages to build up a little suspense.Bernie Mac has got a great timing. No I am not talking baseball. I am talking ability to be funny. Angela Bassett did a good job in her short role. I liked Paul Sorvino in his micro-mini role.This movie gives us the message, 'success is over-rated'! There are more things in life than that. So if you like baseball, go see it. If you don't, go see it. You may find a different message in it. Suit yourself!