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Mr.
3000, 2004, 104 minutes, Rated PG-13
By Ramona Prioleau
Wise-cracking,
potty mouth Bernie Mac steps up to bat and hits home in his portrayal
of baller Stan Ross, a quintessential self-centered marquee athlete.
With Bernie Mac starring, comedy is definitely present. But it's not
the belly-aching, scatological-laced humor that is Mac's signature.
Mr. 3000 features Mac watered down to warrant the film's PG-13 rating
and to attract the youngsters who tune into Mac's family-oriented
sitcom. One concession to those looking for the Bernie of old is Mac's
liberal use of "shit" and "bullshit" to pepper his
character's dialogue. From Mac's mouth, those sanctioned cuss words
convey many meanings.
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An
athlete more interested in individual glory than his team's success,
Stan Ross achieves what he thinks will guarantee his admission to
baseball's Hall of Fame - 3,000 career hits. Goal reached, Ross stuns
all by announcing his immediate retirement in the midst of the
Milwaukee Brewers' pennant race. A major misstep, thereafter Ross
can't wedge his cleated foot in the doorway of the Hall despite many
attempts during his ten-year retirement to do so.
An honor bestowed by sports journalists, the path
to Cooperstown is known to have roadblocks along the way - especially
if one's professional career has been marked by a disregard for fans
and teammates as well as a disdain for media. Unwilling to accept an
apparent dis', Ross orchestrates a publicity stunt to bolster his
chances for Hall of Fame consideration that backfires
miserably. Because Ross succeeds in creating a groundswell of fan
support at a ceremony during which his Brewers' number is retired,
baseball's front office takes notice of his candidacy as well as a serious look at
Ross' stats. Unfortunately, his records can't withstand the scrutiny.
Baseball statisticians realize that Ross is not Mr. 3000 at all.
Instead, he's Mr. 2997 - a realization that doesn't sit well with the
47 year old ex-slugger. Determined to restore his mark of distinction,
Ross spit shines his cleats, pumps iron and steps into the batter's
box once again. However, forty-something ain't thirty-something. So in
his comeback, Ross gets his comeuppance as the sports yarn unravels.
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In his first leading
role in a feature film, Mac delivers a solid performance and capably
portrays a professional athlete that matures in his respect for and
approach to the game that has afforded him not only a glamorous
lifestyle, but also the joy of elite team competition. With themes of
sacrifice, selflessness and love pervading the film's feel-good
ending, Mr. 3000 is a humorous jockfest sprinkled with plot
appropriate dramatic sequences and featuring a interesting cast of
characters. MORE >>>
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© 2004 Touchstone Pictures
Brian
J. White as T-Rex Pennebaker in Mr. 3000
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Chuck
Stone solidly directs Mr. 3000's talented ensemble cast on and off the
baseball diamond. In addition, Stone's ability to draw rich
performances from little known actors is on display once again. With
2002's Drumline, Stone
brought Nick Cannon to the attention of a diverse audience. Hopefully,
Mr. 3000 will do the same for Brian J. White. A successful stockbroker
and professional athlete turned actor, White preens in Mr. 3000 as the
egoistical T-Rex Pennebaker. With a penchant for hitting, profiling
and bojangling for the Sportscenter highlight reel, Pennebaker is the
present day incarnate of Stan Ross. Kudos to Stone on his savvy
casting choices and thumbs up to White for making the most of this
opportunity to shine on the big screen.
M
September 2004
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