Cubussoli Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Clevercell Very disappointing...

Evengyny Thanks for the memories!

Roxie The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Bryan Kluger '42', which is the answer to the ultimate question in the universe, is also that historic and legendary uniform number held by Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play major league baseball. Brian Helgeland's biopic film on Robinson tells a polished and engaging version of the baseball hero that changed the nation. With phenomenal performances from Chadwick Boseman as Robinson himself, both fans of baseball and Robinson, along with a younger crowd who has never heard of the baseball player will eat this film up. The box office will draw some decent money, even if the director tries to head us over the head with what we are supposed to be feeling.We focus on the years 1945-1947 in '42' as we segue into last part of the film, which is Robinson's first year as an actual major league baseball player. Similar to the 1950 'Jackie Robinson Story' (where Robinson played himself), one of the vital scenes is where Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) asks Robinson if he has what it takes to keep a cool head while his teammates, fans, and opposing teams harass him because of the color of his skin. And that is one of the main reasons Robinson was a hero. Not only did he impress everyone on the baseball field, but he showed great courage and restraint against his aggressors.Rickey, maybe a man before his time, but certainly wanting to make a difference in the world socially and racially, hires Robinson to the Monteal Royals farm team, where we see Robinson taunted by his manager, teammates, going so far as to make him sleep separately from the team while on the road with a black family in town. But just like a good father, Rickey always says the right things at the right moments and has reminded Robinson to show his anger and voice on the field, rather than sink to the other's levels.On opening day in Jersey City, Robinson hits a powerful home-run to which his manager says, "He might be superhuman after all." Now that piece of dialogue wasn't necessary, but the film is riddled with instances like this. Rather than have the character's actions tell the story on their own, there is always some piece of dialogue to punch in this face to tell us exactly what we need to feel. That is this film's flaw, which isn't a huge problem, but is annoying as it happens too often.We do get a fair share of the racism that was hurdled towards Robinson throughout the film as we see his own teammates signing petitions to not play with him and specifically an obnoxious manager named Ben Chapman (Alan Tudyk) who pitches the n-word and every other slang term at the ball player. However, all of these terrible moments for Robinson are almost immediately redeemed by some form of just punishment in the form of a victory or great play. On the other end of the spectrum, Robinson has a few supporters of integrating races in sports, such as manager Leo Durocher (Christopher Meloni) and a couple of colleagues, who all try to make it easier and help out Robinson.With the use of some CG work, some of the baseball fields and stadiums looked amazing as if the cast and crew were really in the 40s making a baseball film. The wardrobe and settings are spot on. Harrison Ford does a good job as Rickey, however his character seems to only go one direction, which is the father figure who doles out good advice. It's a good performance, but not much depth there. Tudyk and Meloni turn in great performances when they are on screen. And I was very happy to see John C. McGinley play Red Barber, the radio announcer. McGinley, mostly known as Dr. Cox on 'Scrubs' does an amazing job of being very animated and a lot of fun.And Boseman shines as the celebrated Robinson. Not only is he a plausible athlete, but his charm and dramatic sense of keeping his anger at bay, shows off his acting chops, which he has plenty of. Since Robinson had really nobody to talk to about his difficult times during this period in his life other than his wife, I would have though that his spouse would have had a more prominent role in the film, but that's not the case. I would have liked to see a bit more of their relationship, if only to see Robinson's escape from all of the hatred.'42' is a very good movie and will definitely have an impact on and inspire many people, especially the younger crowd. Robinson's story is a great one to tell, and here, it's told with grace and class. Even if Helgeland wanted to make a lighter film on such a sore and controversial subject, '42' is still a home-run.

santiagocosme Real event movies always work let's face it. Whether they are a TV movie or a big production, there's always something enjoyable about taking a peek at history. In this case, the dark years of American history are dismantled and we take a look at how much Black people suffered in the past, through the eyes of the very first colored man to play in the baseball league. A man whose unquestionable courage helped him reshape part of the history of this sport, while becoming an icon of the fight against race injustice. The movie itself is not the most entertaining, but I doubt that anyone will not be interested in seeing this through and knowing more about Jackie Robinson. I am not a baseball fan, I have never watched a game, and still I am happy I did watch the movie.

klb4556 The above is really all I can say about this film. Amazing from start to finish. I saw this in the theater not expecting what I got. I was so moved by Jackie's story and what he ( and so many others) faced during the time it's set in. Living in the South, I fully understand the prejudices that still exist, and it's hard knowing that people were, and still are treated in astounding ways, just because of the color of their skin. It's a little slow at times, but any movie that builds characters and history usually is at times, which is my only reason for 9/10. Chadwick Boseman is spectacular! I could feel the tension he felt and could almost hear him gritting his teeth to keep back what he wanted to say. Harrison Ford makes me want to cry; if only everyone would look at the heart of the person, and not their skin, and be just and fair in a society of people who aren't, the world would be so much different. I also was thrilled to see Lucas Black- I try to watch everything that he's in because I have several friends who went to school with him, I know he's a down to earth guy as well as a great actor, and you won't be disappointed by a single person in the cast. Well.... except for the people who taunt and ridicule Jackie. You will find yourself getting really angry over what's said. There really is a brashness that you don't see with many films, unless they're to do with race. If you can make it through without yelling at the screen and the idiots who try to defeat Jackie, I can bet you'll be moved to tears in a very good way. This is very much like The Blind Side, so if you liked that, you will like this for sure! I recommend it to anyone and everyone I meet!

George Wright 42 is a movie about one of the most important stories in professional baseball, the breaking of the racial barrier with the first black baseball player. Chapman Bosemann is an incredible lookalike for Jackie Robinson, third baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers, but his real strength is portraying the character of the man who sucked up his guts and persevered through the harassment, hate letters, and racial epithets that targeted him and aimed to break his spirit. We also get a view of his fellow team players who learnt to accept him and stand by him in his struggle. It was not unanimous. Some were reluctant; the great shortstop Pee Wee Reese, for example, who later became a great ally. Owner Branch Rickey, a religious man and a man with a strong social conscience, made it clear that he wanted total cooperation or the players would be bounced from the team. Rickey is played by actor Harrison Ford, who was so well made up to look like Rickey that it never struck me who really was the man under the mop of hair, professorial spectacles, bow tie and three piece suit. Christopher Meloni plays coach Leo Durocher, a man of steel who was relieved when Rickey assured him, that Robinson was not a nice guy. "Nice guys finish last", he said, repeating his now famous line. I heard about the difficulties Robinson had to face in his mission to be "the first black man in baseball." However, I had no idea of the racism and resentment he had to endure. It was an outstanding story and is well presented in this fine piece of movie making.