We Are Marshall (Widescreen Edition)
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Movie Reviews of We Are Marshall (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: Movies about football are better than the real thing
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on a true story, this movie is about a town healing from a shocking tradegy where 65 people were killed in a plane crash. People wanted hope and hope came in the form of football. Football unified the community, gave sense of purpose, a team too believe in, an escape from the drudger of steel production, and a wholesome sense of value. The President convinced the NCAA to play freshmen, a move that would lead to his dismisal. The President finds a coach willing to rebuild the team.
The story is not about winning, or building a fearsome reputation, or finding superstar players. The WV football team was below average in stats and win/loss, but big on heart, courage, and determination. A senior determined to play despite a shoulder injury - and being told, he did enough. A belief in the Power I formation, theory not practice. No big payoff leading to a championship, but the restoration of a dream. The story is about determination, dreaming of greatness, compassion during loss, and the desire too raise a family.
The higher quality dreams of escaping to California, return of an engagement ring, loss of a son, leaving small town culture, and moving forward symbolizes the thrust of the movie.
Movie Review: Feels very tired and unoriginal...
Summary: 3 Stars
When you strip away the sentiment that clouds this movie (due to the fact that the horrific events serving as the films foundation are true) then you start to see this film for what it is; a generic sports film. There is absolutely nothing special and or new to separate this film from the rest of the pack, and honestly it is no where near as good as most other sports related dramas. Yes, it has an emotional wallop that will endear this film to a lot of people, but if the title of `true story' were taken away then this film would have no where near the fan base it has now.
The film focuses on the town of Marshall West Virginia. When the entire football team (minus a few players) dies in a horrific plane crash an aspiring football coach from out of town comes down to pick up the pieces of the now barely there football team. Jack Lengyel faces a lot of opposition in his attempt to rebuild the Marshall Football team, but his efforts are not in vain for it is through the power of the game that the town is able to heal wounds and unite once again.
Like I said, not much separates this film from any other random sports drama out there, and there are a lot of them. I lacks the emotional impact that it could have had, even with the devastating circumstances that litter the films every frame. In all honestly I found `Friday Night Lights' to have a much stronger emotional connection to the audience than this film. The sub-plot involving the father and ex-fianc? of one of the deceased is rather touching and heartbreaking, but overall the film cannot reach the heights it is so desperately trying to grasp.
The acting is hit or miss for me. Matthew McConaughey is seriously one of the worst actors making money today. I never really understood his appeal (aside from his body). I mean, why is he booking big ticket movies? He pulls off the same semi-charming performance in each film yet never manages to make his performance `mean' anything. This is probably his best `acting' performance to date; sadly it is also his most annoying. He actually creates a character here but the character he creates is one I wish he had never attempted. The way he walks, talks and interacts with others is painful to watch. Matthew Fox is rather boring here, as is Strathairn, and Anthony Mackie is just a really bad actor. I haven't seen him do anything noteworthy yet (aside from getting his face smashed in by Freeman in `Million Dollar Baby'). The two actors who actually pull their weight here are Kate Mara and Ian McShane, but even they lack consistency. At times Mara's pain comes off forced and McShane's reclusive nature plays on the clich?d, but in the end they make a much deeper connection to the audience than anyone else involved with the project.
I won't say that `We Are Marshall' is a bad film, but I must declare it is far from a great one. Fact remains that this is nothing new and thus should not be regarded as such. It feels very familiar because it pays close heed to follow the same formula almost every sports related drama uses. If you want to watch a film about the town of Marshall and the tragedy that befell them then by all means, watch this film; but if you are just looking for a sports film then you are bound to find more satisfying fare elsewhere.
Movie Review: A MUST WATCH For All Sports (Especially Football) Fans
Summary: 5 Stars
At its core, this film tells the story of the Marshall College football program of 1971, when a year earlier nearly the entire team was wiped out in a plane crash and thus the entire team had to be rebuilt. Sadly, this is a true story, and this film is able to capture the essence of the entire story in two ways:
First, not only is the building of the football team extremely difficult, but more importantly was the rebuilding of the community after the tragedy, and director McG captured that emotional period brilliantly, showing how members of the school and community grappled with the issue of putting a team on the field (and risk dredging up bad memories) or scrapping the football program altogether. While some people yearn to see the green and white colors on the playing field, others are haunted by those memories and would prefer to keep them at an arms length, the conflict that provides the emotional punch to the film.
Just as important, however, is the quality of the acting. Matthew McConaughey breaks away from his traditional "brainless" or "hunk" movie roles to portray Coach Jack Lengyl, who brought football back to Marshall. McConaughey nails this role, bringing the enigmatic coach to life. Also impressive is Kata Mara in the role of Annie Cantrell, whose personal struggles mirror the struggles of the entire community. However, it is Matthew Fox ("Jack" of LOST fame) who really steals the show. Playing a Marshall coach not on the doomed plane, Fox is brilliant in portraying the conflicting emotions (relief, sorrow, regret, anger, guilt, etc.) that arise from such a complicated, emotional situation. It has been a long time since I have seen an actor be so good at playing emotionally conflicted characters.
Overall, this is a very inspirational, yet also quite sorrowful film that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. Yet, even in its most emotional moments, there always seems to exist a light at the end of the tunnel, or a way that things can start to be okay after such a tragedy. Though you likely already know how the situation turned out, that knowledge will not stop you for rooting on the Marshall boys all the same!
Movie Review: We Are Marshall - a really good movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the Blu-ray version of We Are Marshall and thought it was just excellent. Reminds me some of Remember the Titans which is one of my all-time favorite movies. Fortunately for me there was no gore at the crash scene - it's not really about the crash, but more about how the college and town recover after such a heart-wrenching tragedy. Well worth the watch!Movie Review: Surprised me
Summary: 4 Stars
Maybe I'm just too emotional lately, but this movie actually squeezed out a few tears. I don't quite buy McConaughey performance-he tends to be playing the same person to me in every movie. Just show up and flash the audience his tight body and deep dimples and we'll fall for his "Aw shucks" routine. What works is the director's ability to capture this town's deep loss and incredible heart. Even though the Marshalls don't get their baring for another decade, their never say die fight is encouraging and most of all touching.