The Replacements (2000) User Reviews

Unoriginal but hilarious

[FlickJunkie-2 · 8/10 · 7 December 2000]

Despite the fact that this film is a totally unoriginal and predictable retread of a dozen `losers to winners' sports stories, it is so hysterically funny that I didn't even care. The story is thin at best. The NFL is having a players strike and scabs are called in to finish the season. Our heroes are low on ability but high on desire and peculiarity. The quarterback, Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves), once had a promising career, but he fell apart psychologically when his team was pummelled in a college bowl game and he was labelled a player that folds in the big game. Of course, while visiting the NFL, Shane falls in love with the head cheerleader (Brooke Langton) who never dates players (except of course this once).

All this is merely a mundane excuse for a raucous and silly comedy that has some sidesplitting moments. To enjoy this film you really need two things. You need to love football and you need to enjoy slapstick, banana peel comedy. I realize that this limits the audience considerably, but for those who qualify (and I am one), this movie is a scream.

Director Howard Deutch (Pretty in Pink, Grumpier Old Men) did a great job on the football sequences. He hired 45 professional football players (Former NFL players, Canadian Football League, etc.) to do the football scenes and sent the actors to a three-week football camp. The action looked real because it was real. The players were told to play and hit the way they normally would. Of course, the plays were choreographed, but they were real football plays.

The comedy was lowbrow, outrageous and crass, with a great deal of physical comedy. The cheerleader scenes were a riot, especially the cheerleader tryouts. The scene where they started pantomiming sex acts to distract the opposing team was priceless. There was also sharp-witted football humor that required more than just a passing knowledge of the game.

There isn't much serious that can be said about the acting. Keanu Reeves tried to play an earnest comeback and romantic role amidst all the foolishness and it really didn't fit with the rest of the film. However, he was an excellent athlete. He did most of his own on-field shots and looked very believable as the quarterback. Gene Hackman was good when he was making snappy wisecracks, but his inspirational `Hoosiers' imitation was misplaced.

This film really belonged to the supporting actors like Orlando Jones (Clifford Franklin), Michael Taliferro and Faizon Love (The Jackson Twins), Ace Yonamine (Jumbo Fumiko), Rhys Ifans (Nigel `The Leg' Gruff) and all the cheerleaders who made the comedy work. Jon Favreau gets a special mention as the crazy S.W.A.T. officer turned linebacker who took the wild man role to the next level.

This film won't be fun for everyone, but it will have certain people falling off their chairs. I rated it an 8/10. Subtract two points if you aren't amused by slapstick and boorish behavior, and another two if you aren't a football fan. For the rest of you, be prepared to split a gut.

Take it for what it is

[IslesLaz · 8/10 · 11 August 2000]

It's a sportsmovie. It's got every sports cliche in the book: "I look at you and see two men. The man you are and the man you ought to be." But, hell, who cares? It's the Major League of football movies. Sure, it's not gonna win an Oscar, but it's entertaining. A good movie to kill 2 hours. You want drama in a football movie, check out Any Given Sunday. You want fun, mindless entertainment, check this out. Props to Keanu Reeves for learning to throw like a genuine quarterback.

Entertainment for the fun of it

[Tynne · 8/10 · 21 January 2001]

This movie was made purely for entertainment. What a breath of fresh air. With all the extremely dramatic, be it important, films being made lately (Life is Beautiful,etc), it's nice to watch a film that is just entertaining. The supporting cast was amazing, as an ensemble they worked together as a team should. And Keanu Reeves gave a wonderful performance - he is often under appreciated as an actor because he is attractive - but he gave a solid performance. Gene Hackman was good - that goes without saying, but I think this is the first time I've ever seen him portray a character I actually liked.

If you enjoy a good laugh, this a movie you would likely enjoy.

"There is no tomorrow for you, and that makes you very dangerous people."

[TxMike · 30 June 2001]

Those are the words of coach (Hackman) before the final regular season game for the "replacement" players, filling in for the striking regulars. The "never-been" QB (Keanu Reeves) must try to lead them to victory.

"The Replacements" is primarily a good screwball comedy, in the vein of, but significantly better than, "Best of Show" and "The Waterboy." Some may even take a "message" away, about the importance of teamwork, belief in oneself, true love (QB and the head cheerleader). But that is all secondary.

I rate this one highly for pure escapism entertainment, but also with good acting by Reeves and Hackman, and some almost-believable football action, heavily interlaced with goofiness. The lap-dancers turned cheerleaders, who totally distract the opposing team. The tag-team vomiting during the huddle, after the Japanese sumo wrestler eats too many eggs before the game ("I gotta beef up!") The cop who, like in the "Waterboy", can get enraged (Coach says, "I want you to get me the ball," and he does.) The Welsh kicker who is "wirr-rrry strong" and smokes a cigarette while kicking. The "I will survive" dance in jail, after the barroom brawl with the 'regulars.'

To make a good screwball comedy, the writer and director have to walk a fine line and here they do it well. John Madden and Pat Summerall, playing announcers, are genuinely funny. The DVD picture, and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, are up to standards.

Fun underdog sports movie

[sjw1029 · 6/10 · 10 October 2021]

This movie is like Little Giants for adults. It's fun watching this brand of misfits come together and win football games. Gene Hackman is channeling his Hoosiers performance. It's easy to root for these guys. Where I wish the movie was better was with the actual football scenes. There are many times where the logic and editing of the games is way off (like taking a timeout after a kickoff to stop the clock). That was a bit distracting to me but I otherwise liked it.

The best football movie of the summer...

[Shiva-11 · 7/10 · 9 August 2000]

The Replacements: Professional football takes a turn for the bizarre when the players go out on strike - rather than suspend the season, the owner of the Washington Sentinels asks his coach to cobble together a team of replacement players to carry on.

Football on the big screen has been approached from almost every conceivable angle: humorous ("The Longest Yard"), love story ("All the Right Moves"), sport as metaphor for life ("Any Given Sunday") and pathos ("North Dallas Forty") are but a few examples. Essentially a composite of all the above, "The Replacements", is loosely based on facts - the fictional Sentinels represent the Washington Redskins whose replacement players did quite well - the NFL however would not allow the film to use the name of any real teams).

If I remember correctly, (keep in mind that I'm not a sports fan and it was a long time ago) the NFL strike of 1987 was due to player dissatisfaction with the salary cap and the subject of free agents. The utter ludicrousness of multimillionaire sports figures pleading poverty is summed up in an interview with the striking quarterback for the Sentinels who says "Well $5 million might sound like a lot of money, but I have to give 10% to my agent." Just then a colleague pipes up "And do you know how much it costs to ensure a Ferrari?!?" The frightening thing is that some players actually believe this stuff.

Reeves, not known for his dramatic flair, is believable as Shane Falco (it is after all Reeves' third outing as a gridiron grappler), a forgotten quarterback who blew a promising career with one bad game . Brook Langton, Reeves' love interest, is gutsy, subdued, and cute, but not obnoxiously so and. reminded me of a young Lauren Holly (before she became bitter.). The supporting cast does an excellent job, but I particularly enjoyed the casting of John Madden and Pat Summerall whose officiating lends an air of realism to the proceedings.

I do however have two misgivings about the movie: the trailer I saw this evening gives away some of the best parts of the movie (a trend that I've noticed is getting worse) and what is the preoccupation with football players vomiting (it played a role in "Any Given Sunday")- I don't find it particularly amusing.

That said, , "The Replacements" is uncomplicated, funny, and takes a few well aimed shots at professional sports. I recommend it to anyone in search of some light entertainment - just don't pay full price.

The ideal "sit back and relax"-comedy

[Coventry · 6/10 · 19 January 2004]

I think it's pretty obvious you don't have to choose The Replacements if you're interested in seeing a unique and/or innovating cinema experience. The Replacements perfectly delivers what you expect...A good hour and a half of pure fun and laughs. It's a delightful little comedy with decent acting performances, hilarious situations and terrific quote material. The film uses all the typical clichés and about every character is stereotypical, but maybe that's the charm of it all. We get to see a textbook Sumo-wrestler, a blond cheerleader who can't even spell right and even the vulgar Welsh guy who smokes and curses on the field. The script is so utterly predictable and the feel-good message is shoved down your throat shamelessly, but still you can't resist to keep watching. There's a terrific light-hearted atmosphere hanging around the entire movie and sometimes, that's just all it takes to be satisfied with a movie. Keanu Reeves is a heck of lot more watchable in these type of comedies than he is as an action hero and Gene Hackman is great as usual. Even though he's clearly directing on automatic pilot, he never fails to impress. There are also good side roles by Jon Favreau, Orlando Jones, Rhys Ifans and even Art LaFleur ( it's been a while since I last saw him ).Naturally, the good guys win from the arrogant bullies, the development of the love-story was unavoidable as well and the use of typical Football-songs - like Rock 'N Roll part 2 - bring a smile to your face. The Replacements is the kind of movie that requires a few beers and popcorn...than you've got yourself a good old-fashioned brainless viewing.

It' Decent. And yeah, I can live with that.

[DrewAlexanderR1 · 7/10 · 11 July 2015]

The Replacements has been criticized for not being entirely accurate when it comes to football. That's not the point of this film though. It wasn't made to be an Oscar contender. It was made for sports fans who want to see a fun story and laugh while watching it. The Replacements delivers on both these aspects.

The story's backdrop is a strike among the professional football players with four games left in the season. Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) is brought in to coach the Washington Sentinels and bring in a group of replacement players to finish out the season. The unconventional McGinty picks players that others might not have deemed NFL worthy. The list includes: wide receiver Clifford Franklin (Orlando Jones), linebacker Daniel Bateman (Jon Favreau), kicker Nigel Gruff (Rhys Ifans), and quarterback Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves).

Most of the players McGinty picks haven't played football in awhile, but he believes that they have something the spoiled professionals don't, which is heart. The film goes on to tell the story of these replacement players and their fight to get into the playoffs. The players have to come to terms with their fears and learn to trust each other in order to do this. And they have their cheerleading squad, led by Falco's love interest Annabelle Farrell (Brooke Langton), to help them do this.

Shane Falco leads the squad in a way that isn't classy or inspirational, because that just wouldn't be their style. And that is the style of the film. It doesn't go out with the aim to be a story that will move you to tears, except maybe through laughter. The film is one to watch when looking for a light hearted story that offers some laughs.

Don't think too hard, just enjoy.

[gatorgus-80479 · 9/10 · 30 July 2019]

Preposterous, but it is absolutely a blast.

Several scenes make the movie. Jail scene was worth the price of admission.

Don't take it too seriously or look for flaws. Critics are idiots.

This movie ripped off Necessary Roughness

[Collegekid2008 · 7/10 · 26 January 2007]

First off this is a pretty good flick. Keanu Reeves gives a decent performance and the rest of the cast does well within the course of the movie.

The movie plot itself is a complete rip-off of the 1991 movie Necessary Roughness starring Scott Bakula.

From needing to start a team over, in this movie due to a pro strike, in the other due to college violations to the old quarter-back with the 'what-if' syndrome, even the love story portion.

This flick just updates and changes Necessary Roughness from a college football movie to a pro-football movie.

Waited for the laugh that never came

[korkysyard · 4/10 · 18 June 2023]

What was Reeves thinking? A movie he will definitely want to forget. Hackman must have just been bored to take his roll too. The only saving grace and the reason I gave it 4 stars was because of Ifans. He is actually quite funny but the rest should stick to their action films. I would normally turn poor efforts like this off but I was intruiged that there has to be something funny in there somewhere. Just a single ha would have done but it was to no avail. The script is so clichéd it's frightening. Just read the synopsis and that's your film. The characters expecially the football team are cringy and also lack any funny bones in their bodies. I won't pick on the cheerleaders because it's obviously just a paycheck for them. On the whole,one film if you've missed it you've missed nothing.

I will survive

[Calicodreamin · 9/10 · 14 March 2021]

This has low key always been one of my favorite movies, it's the perfect mindless sports flic with a good mix of inspo and comedy. Reeves is the perfect antihero to lead this team of oddballs. Keep expeditions low and just enjoy it for what it is.

Fun, feel good and predictable, with miles and miles of heart

[HelenMary · 7/10 · 10 July 2013]

I don't know much about American Football, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of this film. Whilst it is primarily a sporting comedy - and there's a lot of laughs - it also has some serious point and Gene Hackman's presence adds gravitas. Apparently Reeves took a substantial play cut to get Hackman in the film and there's good chemistry (father/son) between the two. Reeves plays the film for drama and character and does a good job, bringing his famed physicality and dedication to character with incredibly dry humour (lovely comedy timing when he gets grass in his grill). The majority of the laughs come from the antics of the rest of the team, especially Rhys Ifans as the "wiry" Welsh chain smoking kicker, and Jon Favreau the SWAT team psychopath! Great physical comedy and for an adult film with a high-school peer pressure feel, it's suitable for young adults with not too much bad language and the love interest doesn't resort to explicit bedroom antics despite having a Hollywood leading man. Reeves was well cast - quiet, a commanding presence and perfectly happy throwing himself around. Gene Hackman of course was brilliant, dry and witty and the perfect coach to a bunch of wannabe, has been, washed up "scab" football players called in during a players strike. Brooke Langton (head cheerleader Annabelle Farrell) was really convincing and sweet. All great performances and despite it being predictable and a little cheesy it's great feel-good watching. Hey where else do you see Keanu singing Gloria Gaynor's I will survive and doing the electric slide??

One of the most unrealistic football films of all time

[wahoos50 · 1/10 · 21 January 2001]

How disappointing! An opportunity to make a movie about the 1987 NFL strike and it was wasted. There are five inaccuracies in the first five minutes of the movie. By the way, guys, you can actually have more than one quarterback on a professional roster.

Brilliant, fuzzy, feel good movie.

[Theoriginaltruebrit · 13 July 2002]

I haven't bothered watching professional football since Joe Montana retired but this movie got me interested again. While I can appreciate the comments of other reviewers that it is a formula movie and has many inaccuracies when it comes to the football action it is pure and unadulterated fun. The bottom line is this movie is downright funny, from start to finish. The cast are absolutely wonderful and the casting director did a brilliant job of bringing this gang together. Gene Hackman of course is perfect as the coach.... "I'll pull you off the field you spoiled son of a bitch".... Rhys Ifans absolute perfection as Gruff (after a **** you remark from Jimbo) "You'll have to find your dick first Shamu", to the shoot em up bros from the hood, to "get me the ball, get me the ball" The acting was absolutely wonderful in this movie. I have to admit I didn't like the guy that played Martell but perhaps that's because I wasn't supposed to like him, perhaps it shows what a good job he did. And Keanu, dear, sweet, so maligned Keanu, I read a reviewer once who said of Keanu's acting that it is "almost transparent" and in this movie it is, he doesn't eat scenery he just does his job, low key, perfectly in character, and for those who know anything at all about acting all you have to do is watch his eyes. He has a Harrison Ford like quality of being able to express a wealth of emotions with his eyes and in this movie he pulls it off perfectly. I also read somewhere that during the making of this movie it was discovered that Keanu really did have "an arm" and at one point threw a 69 yard pass. I have seen this movie in excess of 20 times and will no doubt see it 20 more times, it is the best feel-good movie I have ever seen. When I want drama and suspense I will watch "The Green Mile" when I want simple, comedy that just leaves me with a huge grin I will watch the replacements. Oh yeah and I just want to kiss the person who put Keanu in a No. 16 uniform *S*

Cliché Done Well

[Matador07 · 7/10 · 21 September 2004]

Actually trying to write a review of this movie would be pointless -- we've all seen this exact same movie made dozens of times before. The underdog team of misfits, rallies together, plays with heart, overcomes the odds, bonds etc. etc. etc. Its a giant cliché.

But you know what? Its a cliché done well this time. There's nothing original here, but this is one of those times, as in The Longest Yard or Major League, where it actually works. Maybe its the superior cast. Maybe its the great chemistry between the male and female leads. But for whatever reason, this movie grows on you. Even after predictable element after predictable element comes wandering on by, its just hard not to like the film and get sucked in. Its just a light feel good film with its heart in the right place -- I felt stupid for being manipulated by the oldest tricks in the book, but when I let go of the cynicism for a moment, The Replacements brought a smile to my face.

light weight football movie

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 31 August 2014]

Shane Falco (Keanu Reeves) is a former star college quarterback who washed out in the pros. Eddie Martel (Brett Cullen) is the star quarterback of Washington Sentinels who is more concerned about himself than the team. Then the players go on strike and Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) is hired to shape up a new team of replacement players. They need three more wins out of their final four games to get into the playoffs. It's a mishmash of wacky personalities. Shane falls for the head cheerleader Annabelle Farrell (Brooke Langton) who has to come up with a new group of cheerleaders. Rhys Ifans is the wiry kicker. Jon Favreau is the angry defensive player who loves to hit. Orlando Jones is the jokey player.

It's a pretty light weight football movie with a bit of rom-com. Gene Hackman is slumming it a little to give this some substance. It has a few good jokes. The stripper cheerleaders are cute. The players have just enough wackiness. Keanu Reeves is still that likable lead. It's formulaic and somewhat watchable. At least, director Howard Deutch has the skills to use the formula even with a song and dance in jail.

Why I gave it a 7/10

[borowiczlucky · 7/10 · 13 July 2020]

I've seen this movie numerous times throughout my lifetime. Each time seemed to be about 5 years apart. What I realized about this film is that it's all about second chances. Simple as that. Would you take a chance on something you loved and lost or missed out on? The characters are fleshed out enough to hold up the film and the cinematography is done well enough to be entertaining. Give it a chance it's not an Oscar contender but it's good flick to kill some time and maybe reminisce on the one thing you wish you had a second chance at!! Though as usual watch the film and make your own opinions!!

Not a gem but not a stinker

[colinfullelove · 6/10 · 21 August 2021]

If you love sports movie this is watchable although totally unbelievable story lines. One week ex players next week NFL all stars, has nothing to do with the real world.

Good movie to fill in time and walk away with a smile.

Not Hackmans or Reeves best work.

Expected storyline, but completely unexpected hilarity

[wrygrass · 10/10 · 30 July 2000]

To work, comedy has to be unexpected. And that is just what makes "The Replacements" work so well. Oh, not that the storyline is unexpected, for from it. But the actual comedy embedded in that plot is often delightfully quirky and quite unusual in this extremely good-natured and entertaining film. The very first scene, for example, takes place in a completely unexpected setting and proceeds in a really odd-ball way.

As it is most times, Keanu Reeves acting is subtle. In this film you have to watch those eyes that are so eloquent when he's discouraged and listen to those little expelled breaths that convey so well (and so humorously) his state of mind when he's near the girl he's finds attractive. It's all there, and more, if you watch closely. Reeves is completely believable as a man who needs a second chance to do something he loves--play football. It's like he's a different person on and off the field--and that's exactly what the movie was trying to convey. The development (redemption is only too slightly strong a word) of Reeves' character is excellently portrayed. That struggle to overcome provides a good solid center around which all the hilarity revolves and becomes funnier in contrast.

Gene Hackman and the rest of this ensemble cast did a great job--everyone has his or her moments. If the movie has a weakness, it's the romance. Not that Brook Langton and Reeves aren't good in the clinches--they have a definite chemistry. But it seems like there should have just been one scene between them with some real substance.

"The Replacements" also succeeds well as a football movie. The great photography and sound; the inventiveness of the script in dreaming up unusual and funny, yet still plausible, game events; and the evident attention to training for and depicting the physical moves, all add up to a movie which sports fans will relish. And yet, the football plays, are presented so clearly that even someone who's not a knowledgeable football fan can understand everything that's happening, even the first time.

Comedy is tough--it's quite an achievement to have folks in the theater laughing for most of two hours. And that's certainly what the audience did when I saw "The Replacements." As well as cheering out loud for the "home team," clapping at the end, and coming out feeling like dancing to "I Will Survive" like they did in the movie. As well as feeling like we can survive and be ourselves--just like those scrappy, eccentric replacements.

Major League Meets Football

[craig_smith9 · 6/10 · 28 December 2001]

If you liked Major League then you'll like The Replacements. This movie was much better than I thought it would be. It had a lot more humor than I was expecting. The movie is helped a lot by Gene Hackman. Even in roles that are not demanding he comes through with a fine performances. There are no roles in this movie that demands anything of anyone. It appeared to me that everyone had a good time making this film. There are no deep messages here but it is fun and entertaining. You won't be bored watching it. An entertaining film.

de ja vu

[Michael Bennett Cohn · 4/10 · 12 August 2000]

I think I've seen this movie before. I can't remember the title, but it might have been Wildcats, Necessary Roughness, Major League, Teen Wolf, Teen Wolf Too, or The Mighty Ducks. You'd never expect professional football players to miss plays because they're watching the unexpectedly sexy cheerleaders. And yet, apparently it happens.

A Great Football Film With Miles And Miles Of Heart Indeed

[KalKenobi83 · 9/10 · 18 September 2020]

Watched The Replacements with Keanu Reeves(The Matrix) as Shane Falco,Orlando Jones(Office Space) as Clifford Franklin, Ace Yonamine(One Of West Waikiki) as Jumbo Fumiko , Troy Winbush(Heart Of Fire) as Walter Cochran , Jon Favreau(Swingers) as Danny Bateman, Rhys Ifans(Notting Hill) as Nigel "The Leg" Gruff, Brook Langton(Playing Mona Lisa) as Annabelle Farrell , David Denman as Brian Murphy, And 2x Oscar Winner Gene Hackman(Superman:The Movie) as Jimmy McGinty.

I Really Enjoyed The Film it has a ton of heart also love seeing a bunch of misfits come together Reeves does amazing being a washout Quarterback trying to prove himself and cant live down the Sugar Bowl but he is overcomes it and is the heart of the team love the ragtag group as Fumiko loves food and is from Japan, Danny Bateman is unpredictable, Nigel is Wiry and Franklin is the teams class clown also Falco and Farrell Romance was buyable they were an awesome couple and McGinty was a great coach he cared about his players and understood talent and character.A Great Football Film With Miles And Miles Of Heart Indeed . Great Music By John Debney(Hocus Pocus), Cinematography By Tak Fujimoto(The Sixth Sense) , Direction By Howard Deutch(Pretty In Pink) A Great Football Film With Miles And Miles Of Heart Indeed 9/10

heartwarming,funny

[disdressed12 · 7/10 · 31 December 2008]

i enjoyed this sports comedy/romance.i found it funny,touching and engaging.it's not one of those bust a gut funny movies,it's more of the pretty good chuckles variety.it's one of those feel good kind of movies,where you just can't help but root for the guy and girl to get together.even the action bits(mostly comedic football action) are good.Gene Hackman and Keanuu Reeves are the headliners,but i found Brooke Langton to be very good in her role.it's nice to see Hackman and Reeves in a lite movie,rather than the intense movies they're usually known for.at the end of the movie,i felt pretty good.at the very least,you might forget about you problems for awhile.for me,The Replacements is a 7/10

Not nearly as good as it could have been!

[gregtbaird · 4/10 · 24 February 2001]

From the trailer I thought this movie would be really funny! Unfortunately it isn't as outrageous as they would have had you believe. "The Replacements" can't really decide if it wants to go for the lighthearted, fun humor the trailer promised or gross-out shtick. Keanu's performance stinks, but what else would you expect from the man?