“Mr. 3000” (Touchstone Pictures)
Bernie Mac parlays his popularity from the small screen to a larger audience on the big screen in the new sports film “Mr. 3000.” Mac, Angela Bassett, and Michael Rispoli all do top drawer work in creating this morality tale about an egotistical boob who finds that teamwork is the way to go.
Mac plays Stan Ross a member of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. He is on track to bat 3000 hits and as soon as he reaches that goal Stan the Man retires. It doesn’t matter it is the middle of the season and the Brewers are chasing a pennant, or that the fans are counting on Stan to continue to play. He has his hits and he is through.
Ten years later it is discovered that three of Stan’s hits were counted in error. In actuality he had only 2997 hits. Stan is horrified but determined to regain his title. He talks the Brewers into taking him back on the team. He may be forty-seven years old but he is going to be “Mr. 3000” one more time.
Bassett plays Stan’s love interest, an ESPN reporter named “Mo.” Rispoli is Stan’s manager and best friend. Chris Noth is seen as one of the Brewers’ owners, and Paul Sorvino plays the team manager.
The movie is fairly predictable so there is not a lot of suspense in the film as to whether or not Stan will get his title back. The entertainment comes from watching Stan’s evolution as a human being. He goes from being an “all for me” type of guy to one who wants what is “best for the team.”
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual innuendoes. This is definitely not a movie for the little kids.
Bernie Mac’s ear to ear smile and his personal charisma make the role of Stan fit him like a glove. He is funny, sexy and athletic which is what the role of Stan demands. Bassett is cool and sensuous as Mo, and makes the perfect foil for Stan’s antics.
You will definitely come out of viewing “Mr. 3000” feeling you have been thoroughly entertained, and these days that is more than you usually get.
I scored “Mr. 3000” a slugging 7 out of 10.
