Million Dollar Arm

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: May 16, 2014

7.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 80 Ratings

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LamontRaymondMay 30, 2014

It turns out to be a heartwarming movie. The female lead (from "In a World") is fantastic, but John Hamm's dick persona that he plays in every movie is getting old quickly. The baseball is exciting, but some of the India stuff dwells a bitIt turns out to be a heartwarming movie. The female lead (from "In a World") is fantastic, but John Hamm's dick persona that he plays in every movie is getting old quickly. The baseball is exciting, but some of the India stuff dwells a bit too much on stereotype and exploitation.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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ScribeHardMay 18, 2014

Disney provides the latest feel-good sports movie genre offering with Million Dollar Arm, which hits the genre-specific marks and offers uniqueness of detail perfectly well, but finds itself undermined by a redemption-seeking character whoDisney provides the latest feel-good sports movie genre offering with Million Dollar Arm, which hits the genre-specific marks and offers uniqueness of detail perfectly well, but finds itself undermined by a redemption-seeking character who isn’t worth saving.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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aguywhoreviewsMay 24, 2014

It's another cliched sports movie. Nothing really stands out to me in this movie. It's extremely predictable and for a feel good movie, it makes you feel bored. Its a movie you can rent a redbox to watch with your family if there is nothingIt's another cliched sports movie. Nothing really stands out to me in this movie. It's extremely predictable and for a feel good movie, it makes you feel bored. Its a movie you can rent a redbox to watch with your family if there is nothing else. Hard to recommend.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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fantasyMay 21, 2014

Nice unsexy story of overcoming all odds. The cast are all likeable but this by the number movie is OK but nothing more. I love sports and especially baseball so rooting for the underdog is very appealing. A nice way to pass the time on aNice unsexy story of overcoming all odds. The cast are all likeable but this by the number movie is OK but nothing more. I love sports and especially baseball so rooting for the underdog is very appealing. A nice way to pass the time on a rainy day but nothing more. Just okay.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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imthenoobSep 18, 2014

I agree with aguywhoreviews, It's another typical sports film that is incredibly predictable. You could call the entire plot from start to finish within the first 20 minutes of the film and that sort of ruins the movie. The acting is so-so,I agree with aguywhoreviews, It's another typical sports film that is incredibly predictable. You could call the entire plot from start to finish within the first 20 minutes of the film and that sort of ruins the movie. The acting is so-so, None of the cast are given a chance to shine and Hamm proved to be a rather...disappointing and lackluster lead. Overall, If you can stomach generic sports films then sure give it a chance. If you are tired of the same old, same old then you are better off avoiding this one.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Forrestgump1Jul 31, 2014

Disney is ideally one of the more respected studios producing films to this day. Nobody can look at their film and marketing tactics and call them dull. However, just because a movie has “Disney” on it, doesn’t necessarily make itDisney is ideally one of the more respected studios producing films to this day. Nobody can look at their film and marketing tactics and call them dull. However, just because a movie has “Disney” on it, doesn’t necessarily make it indestructible.
Their latest, “Million Dollar Arm” a basic, run of the mill, inspirational film that follows the same basic principles all sports dramas follow. The story is heartfelt and genuine, and the film is fueled by an extremely likable performance from our leading man Jon Hamm. This only goes so far. Comparing the film to the likes of “Miracle” or “The Rookie” and even “Remember The Titans” is not a fair comparison. Because, even though those films also followed basic principles, those films still had credibility to their names and directors. “Million Dollar Arm” is slow going and takes it’s time progressing the plot. Just on the likability of the actors presence in the film, “Million Dollar Arm” is barely watchable for the most part. But, in all honestly, is nothing special.

Hamm plays J.B Bernstein, a typical sports agent, who in a last ditch effort to save his job, and the jobs of his cohorts; Ash Vasudevan (Bernstein’s business partner) and Theresa. Bernstein pitches the idea of “Million Dollar Arm” in which the crew travels to India, seeking Baseball players, through a reality show. On the journey they find two Indians, named Dinish Patel and Rinku Singh.

Who doesn't love a good, and compelling underdog story?. Typically, it’s fairy hard to scowl at the confines of a true story. However, when the story is not that, quote “compelling” well it’s a different breed of these sub-genre. This is hardly a true story most people are familiar with. Being honest, I was unfamiliar with this story until I screened the film. I’m glad I got the message in all. Speaking bluntly, this is a film where audience’s will walk out, say “it was good”, tell their friends, and one week later forget all about it. As a shame it maybe, the whole “salesman” approach to the plot, never clicks. The acting, on the other hand, is slick and witty. Jon Hamm is quick and fun to watch as the infamous, J.B Bernstein. Lake Bell is also great to watch, however the character is partially underused. As well as, Madhur Mittal and Suraj Sharma who turn in more than exceptional performances. Director Greg Gillespie has had some success, his remake of “Fright Night” starring Anton Yelchin and Colin Farrell was more than worthy in the sense. “Million Dollar Arm” was just not a great story for him to showcase his talents. I still have hope for his directing career.

In the end, I didn't hate “Million Dollar Arm” I just did not buy into the whole story as whole. Once you have seen every inspiration film in this league, well you have seen them all. The film has tons of heart and the characters are extremely likable. This is not the problem. The problem is the very basic and average attempt at telling the story. The film never breaks away from it’s own pattern and steers exactly the direction we expect it too. Granted, this is a true story so we know the outcome. Other than a few interesting tidbits, and outside of true Baseball fanatics nobody is going to know this story well enough. I also wish the story focused more on the actual people the story is based off. Hardly ever, does the audience get any back story behind our India natives becoming Major League Baseball players. Even a little more development into J.B Bernstein's life would have been more appreciated. There is very little accomplished in the two hour run-time. “Million Dollar Arm” is instantly forgettable, but in the end somewhat watchable. Thanks to that “Disney” brand.

C

By: Nate Adams

Directed By” Greg Gillespie

Rated: PG
Run-Time: 123 mins
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: May 16th 2014

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0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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BrianMcCriticOct 7, 2014

A fairly standard but harmless film. While the film tells what could be a very intriguing story, it fails to provide the strong emotional connection you need to feel for the players. This is a film some baseball fans like myself may enjoyA fairly standard but harmless film. While the film tells what could be a very intriguing story, it fails to provide the strong emotional connection you need to feel for the players. This is a film some baseball fans like myself may enjoy even if there's a sense of forgetting about the film quickly. B-… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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tvnewsguidoSep 18, 2014

It's fine.

There are some really great, feelgood moments in this film. It is hard to connect to Hamm in the role for some reason. Perhaps he played the role too well in that I didn't buy his change of heart and thought it was justIt's fine.

There are some really great, feelgood moments in this film.

It is hard to connect to Hamm in the role for some reason. Perhaps he played the role too well in that I didn't buy his change of heart and thought it was just another angle the sports agent was playing. I'm usually not that cynical when I sit down to watch "the inspirational story of" type stuff.

It's a fine film for a day when nothing else is on.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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