Hard Ball
Paramount Pictures | Release Date: September 14, 2001 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
48
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews
Positive:
11
Mixed:
9
Negative:
5
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
40
Mr. ShowbizCody Clark
The actors playing the team members have stereotypical roles, but these kids have got game.
63
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
It drifts above the surface of its natural subjects, content to be a genre picture. We're always aware of the formula--and in a picture based on real life, we shouldn't be. Read full review
63
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
A by-the-numbers tearjerker notable mostly for the most adorable little sluggers this side of the "Bad News Bears." Read full review
30
TV Guide MagazineSteve Simels
Along the way, director Brian Robbins indulges Reeves in too many laughable inspirational speeches. He also wastes the terrific Diane Lane in the thankless role of the kids' dedicated teacher. Read full review
70
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
Surprisingly brusque yet likable film. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMark Caro
Remains watchable when it's not hitting you like a baseball bat with poignancy. But by the time you've endured all of the shamelessly manipulative plot turns and heart-yanking speeches that close out the movie, all you can do is cry foul. Read full review
25
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
The movie is so littered with clichés of genre, as well as clichés of artifice in Reeves' pained performance, that any semblance of social reality goes foul. Read full review
63
USA TodayClaudia Puig
Those who were upset by the tragic ending of last year's "Pay It Forward" should be warned away. Read full review
60
Washington PostMegan Rosenfeld
It is only when Reeves meets up with his incredibly cute baseball team that this movie comes to life. Read full review
70
SalonStephanie Zacharek
It may follow a formula, but sometimes formula equals comforting routine. And there are times, in the movies and elsewhere, when routine is exactly what you need. Read full review
70
The New York TimesStephen Holden
Its uplifting message about teamwork and caring wouldn't hurt a fly. You might even say, the movie is good for you. Read full review
25
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
Wants to be an offbeat, hard-edged, inspirational sports movie, but it misses its target by a country mile. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleBob Graham
Hardball works where it counts, on the emotional level. Read full review
75
Portland OregonianDavid Germain
Blends its seemingly disparate elements into a coherent film that's entertaining, funny, sad and even a bit uplifting and inspirational. Read full review
40
L.A. WeeklyChuck Wilson
Until its dismaying final 15 minutes, this baseball redemption movie sails along on the charms of cute kids and a star who makes up in bone structure what he lacks in talent. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeJay Carr
Ultimately, the kids carry this manipulative tear-jerker. They're warm, lively charmers.
40
Austin ChronicleKimberley Jones
When the boys are tossing balls around and bopping in time to Notorious B.I.G., they -- and the film -- are right-on. Read full review
38
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
As shallow and manipulative a movie as any that come to mind.
70
New Times (L.A.)Bill Gallo
Hardball is not as bad as it sounds, and at its best it's charming. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
A surefire heart-tugger made with skill and judgment, affords Keanu Reeves a career high point. Read full review
40
VarietyRobert Koehler
There's no cork inside Hardball, but there's more than enough corn. Everything about the movie is geared for maximum uplifting and tear-jerking effect, and seems designed, in the end, to question the old saw that there's no crying in baseball. Read full review
10
Rolling StonePeter Travers
The film takes a true story and drags it through a swamp of hyped-up Hollywood cliches. Read full review
75
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
Cynics may roll their eyes at Hardball's earnestness, but the movie proves even the most conventional stories can move and engage you, provided they're told well. Read full review
70
SlateMatt Feeney
Toward the end of Hardball, the story takes a jolting turn from heartwarming to tear-jerking that people might find cruelly manipulative. Perhaps under normal circumstances, I would too. But these are not normal circumstances, and instead of put off, I was completely undone. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
The filmmakers realize that playing baseball isn't nearly enough to fix what's wrong in these kids' lives, which might have made a more provocative ending than what follows. Read full review
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