It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

The Washington professional football team which is NOT named the Redskins for this film seems on the verge of a championship, but then the players in the NFL pull out and go on strike about two thirds of the season through. Naturally this does not sit well with the football public or the general sports public for that matter. No one can figure out why these well paid athletes want eight million as opposed to seven million. Owner Jack Warden who seems to be modeled on the legendary Redskins owner George Preston Marshall like his peers hires The Replacements to finish out the season. It's an interesting collection of has beens, and never wases that coach Gene Hackman has to work with. It calls for a different kind of coaching than one would normally expect, but somehow I think Vince Lombardi would approve of Hackman's methods.Chief recruit is Keanu Reeves a one time golden quarterback prospect who screwed up his own prospects, I'll not reveal how. But Reeves sees this as a shot to show what he could have done. As the most professional of this group Reeves is essential and he lets neither the team or the audience down. He also has head cheerleader Brooke Langton in his corner giving his morale a needed boost.This replacement Washington team develops a style of gonzo football like the Charleston Chiefs gonzo hockey in Slap Shot. It's what makes The Replacements the fine entertainment it is.I do have to say that I remember when baseball had a lock out and tried to negotiate with their players under a threat and did hire replacements in spring training. I still have memories of watching those spring training games with that set of replacements for the Mets in this case. I'll not forget Ralph Kiner and the rest of the Mets announcers just sounding in agony describing the game.Those replacement Mets just never got into the spirit of The Replacements.

The Replacements (2000): Dir: Howard Deutch / Cast: Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Orlando Jones, Brooke Langton, Jon Favreau: Same old junk with a different paint job. It suggests ignorance on behalf of those whom the team will eventually prove wrong. Gene Hackman plays a football coach who decides to assemble a team of players who have dropped out of sight. There is a football strike and he views this as an opportunity for others to shed their light. Among these are a maniac cop, a convict, a gambler who can kick, two big black bar bouncers, a sumo wrestler, etc. Keanu Reeves is sought after as a quarterback. He served a nasty defeat but Hackman still sees potential. Recycled and dreary with director Howard Deutch doing his best but after making The Odd Couple 2 he needs all the help he can muster. He also directed Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful (which doesn't describe this film). Hackman is wasted as the coach who will whip these players into shape. Orlando Jones is far too talented to be stuck in a film that requires no thought. Brooke Langton's role is obvious in that she is basically a romantic prop. While Varsity Blues made this same sort of film entertaining and funny, here is a film so deserving to be toss onto a football field so that it might be stumped on by every single player. The screenplay is in bad need of replacing. Score: 2 / 10

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??

Well, you can get a chuckle or two out of this film, maybe even find some inspiration or cheer for the underdog, but for people who know ANYTHING about football, this moving is just one mistake after another. Whomever edited this thing should be drummed out of Hollywood. Just go to the goofs section and that might begin to list all the continuity and factual errors. Players on the field, then off the field in the next shot. Jus the problems with how the structure of the team is built makes no sense. Why fire a coach and hire a new one during a strike? Why no backup quarterback? Why are players playing both ways? What is a QB doing on a kickoff team? it goes on and on and drives me crazy.