Rating: PG
Movie Release Date: April 7, 1993
DVD Release Date: January 29, 2002
Plot 411: The new kid on the block spends his summer bonding with the kids from the sandlot and "the beast."
Review: "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” This is clearly a legend of a coming-of-age movie in my book. Bookish Scott Smalls (Tom Guiry) moves to L.A. with his mom (Karen Allen) and stepdad (Denis Leary). In an effort to make friends, he follows some boys to a dirt field affectionately called "the sandlot." Here, he is taught the great game of baseball by the local kids and is taken under the wing of Benny "the Jet" Rodriguez (Mike Vitar), who is the best player in their neighborhood. However, when an over-the-fence homerun knocks a ball signed by Babe Ruth into the domain of "the beast," the boys must find a way to recover it despite their fear of the ferocious dog. Not only does this movie have it all (comedy, drama, intrigue and wholesomeness), it is especially good at relating to kids. All the little details that are so important when you're 10 or 12 years old is important in this movie. The idea of losing a baseball over the fence feels immense. Getting a kiss from a pretty girl is a life or death situation. A day can seem like a year when it's summer and you have all your friends with you. This movie captures this feeling of childhood innocence and enthusiasm like no movie of its kind. Everything is there in this film, including inspirational themes like realizing your dreams and overcoming your fears. And yet, in its purest form, this is just a movie about a summer of baseball. Genius.
Movie Release Date: April 7, 1993
DVD Release Date: January 29, 2002
Plot 411: The new kid on the block spends his summer bonding with the kids from the sandlot and "the beast."
Review: "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” This is clearly a legend of a coming-of-age movie in my book. Bookish Scott Smalls (Tom Guiry) moves to L.A. with his mom (Karen Allen) and stepdad (Denis Leary). In an effort to make friends, he follows some boys to a dirt field affectionately called "the sandlot." Here, he is taught the great game of baseball by the local kids and is taken under the wing of Benny "the Jet" Rodriguez (Mike Vitar), who is the best player in their neighborhood. However, when an over-the-fence homerun knocks a ball signed by Babe Ruth into the domain of "the beast," the boys must find a way to recover it despite their fear of the ferocious dog. Not only does this movie have it all (comedy, drama, intrigue and wholesomeness), it is especially good at relating to kids. All the little details that are so important when you're 10 or 12 years old is important in this movie. The idea of losing a baseball over the fence feels immense. Getting a kiss from a pretty girl is a life or death situation. A day can seem like a year when it's summer and you have all your friends with you. This movie captures this feeling of childhood innocence and enthusiasm like no movie of its kind. Everything is there in this film, including inspirational themes like realizing your dreams and overcoming your fears. And yet, in its purest form, this is just a movie about a summer of baseball. Genius.
Watch It: For a good amount of childhood fun and adventure that will have you reliving your own summer adventures.
Skip It: If maybe hockey is your thing and you'd prefer Mighty Ducks. I think that movie is good in its own right but it's no Sandlot. There's something about the '60s that just makes you think baseball and apple pie.
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