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Mr. 3000
2004 - PG-13 - 102 Mins.
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| Director: Charles Stone III | | Producer: Gary Barber | | Written By: Keith Mitchell, Eric Champnella | | Starring: Bernie Mac, Angela Bassett, Paul Sorvino, Michael Rispoli |
| Review by: Joe Rickey |
| Official Site: mr3000.movies.go.com/ |
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Working it out.
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A thinly veiled star vehicle for an actor who has been a perennial supporting performer, Bernie Mac, this Charles Stone III film is utterly predictable and ends up not even being funny or touching most of the time; rather the whole affair is just kind of boring. Stan Ross (Bernie Mac) is the self-professed “King of Swing”, a Milwaukee Brewer so loved and yet so hated at the same time. He is undoubtedly a great player; having just picked up what he thinks is his ticket to the Hall of Fame in his 3,000 hit. He is hated though because after the game in which he reached the landmark he announces his premature retirement, despite the fact that his team is in the thick of a heated pennant race. After retiring Ross makes 3,000 his trademark as he opens a “Mr. 3,000 Shopping Center”, complete with stores with such monikers as “3,000 Woks”, 3,000 Paws”, and so on. Imagine his surprise then when it is discovered that, as a result of a technicality involving a rain-delayed game, he actually only has 2,997 hits. To make things worse, Ross finds out shortly thereafter that he missed being voted into the Hall of Fame. Determined to reclaim his former glory, Ross decides to return to the game amid much in the way of criticism, nine years after having retired.
A film like ‘Mr. 3000’ depends on a likable protagonist, someone the audience can really root for. Unfortunately, Stan Ross is such an egotistical prima donna that even after the film tries to convince you that he has learned the error of his ways; the man still comes across as arrogant and undeniably unlikable. From openly criticizing other players to being completely rude to fans, the character is one bulbous, self-important person. You can tell that Bernie Mac is trying his darndest to elicit some goodwill out of his poorly written role but it is just not to be. It doesn’t help though that the film is drawn-out and director Charles Stone the 3rd fails to bring anything new to a standard tale of redemption in the sports world. One could probably write a screenplay such as this from a book of clichés, if they so pleased.
It’s really too bad because multiple supporting actors give good, solid performances. As the ESPN reporter and old flame assigned to cover Ross’ story, Angela Bassett is his polar opposite: an intelligent and imminently likable personality. As his put-upon coach, Paul Sorvino brings a quiet, honesty to his role that fits like a glove (pun intended). Michael Rispoli is also very likable as Stan’s unquestionably faithful friend and former teammate.
In the end, ‘Mr. 3000’ can’t be recommended because, for all its positives, the film commits the cardinal sin of any film by making one root for the success of a complete and utter jerk.
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