Major League

After the success of Bull Durham, Hollywood decided to take viewers out to the ballpark a few more times. Major League was one of the initial efforts, and scored a boxoffice grand slam with theatergoers in America. Which makes sense, since the film literally panders to the audience in every single frame. Charlie Sheen and Tom Berenger head an ensemble cast of has-been baseball players that have been recruited by the recently widowed female owner of the Cleveland Indians, in order to ensure that they will lose--and then be transferred to Miami (logic does not apply here). There are some funny moments, particularly with Sheen as Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn--whose blazing pitching speed is somewhat devalued by his erratic sense of direction. But the film is so utterly predictable, stupidly boyish, and almost completely dependent on profanity for laughs, that it will mainly appeal to adolescent minds (which may be why it was very popular in America). Wait for the vastly superior baseball movie Field of Dreams to be released on video; this one is not recommended. (R. Pitman) [DVD Review—Apr. 3, 2007—Paramount, 106 min., R, $14.99—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1989's Major League (Wild Thing Edition) sports a solid transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. DVD extras include audio commentary by writer-director David S. Ward and producer Chris Chesser, a 23-minute 'My Kinda Team' making-of featurette, 'A Major League Look at Major League' featuring real Cleveland Indians baseball players and broadcasters (15 min.), 'Bob Uecker: Just a Bit Outside' (13 min.), an alternate ending with filmmaker intro (4 min.), 'A Tour of Cerrano's Locker' (2 min.), a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an unremarkable comedy.] [Blu-ray Review—May 26, 2009—Paramount, 106 min., R, $29.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1989's Major League sports a decent transfer and includes Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras are identical to the standard DVD release, including audio commentary by writer-director David S. Ward and producer Chris Chesser, a 23-minute 'My Kinda Team' making-of featurette, 'A Major League Look at Major League' featurette with real Cleveland Indians baseball players and broadcasters (15 min.), 'Bob Uecker: Just a Bit Outside' on the costar (13 min.), an alternate ending with filmmaker intro (4 min.), 'A Tour of Cerrano's Locker' segment (2 min.), a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid Blu-ray debut for a popular if still unremarkable comedy.]