No one can really imagine what the game of football would be like if the NFL players went on strike and replacement players took the field. The Replacements tried to give us that vision but I got to admit it was a pretty bad one. Gene Hackman was probably in the film to make a quick buck, while I wonder if Keanu Reeves didn’t have anything better to do. As the two main characters of the movie, even their star power couldn’t save this from being a dud.
Even if real NFL players went on strike, it wouldn’t be this comical or so non-eventful. With social media today and around the clock sports news, a players strike would be the biggest thing since the last time the Atlanta Falcons coughed up a 25 point lead in the third quarter of Super Bowl 51. The fact this movie never really build upon the union strike is rather odd. We get little to no character background on this group of misfits which include Jon Favreau, Rhys Ifans, Faizon Love, and Jack Warden. The story may take place over the final few games of the regular season, but the focus is all on Reeves character and his flaws. I get the quarterback is the most important position on a football team, though they go about telling his story all wrong.
There were times I honestly didn’t care what was going on in the film because the comedy just wasn’t there. Also, why does every movie that features a washed up superstar clinging to his final chance at glory have to have a love interest? Reeves spends a good chunk of the movie chasing the head cheerleader Annabelle Farrell (Brooke Langton), much like Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger) does in Major League. Can’t these have been stars just live a peaceful life before and after they attempt to return to the field?
Once upon a time ago, I watched The Replacements. Didn’t recall liking it, but had to cross it off the list of football movies I wanted to review this month. Now I know that after a second viewing, there will never be a third one. 1/10
Ten Stars or Less 