Everyone’s Hero

C-
Everyone’s Hero
Rated G; Directed by Christopher Reeve; Starring the voice talents of Rob Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, William H. Macy, Brian Dennehy, Robert Wagner, Raven

“Everyone’s Hero” is the latest entry in computer-animated films that finds multiple ways to disappoint the audience. Kids may enjoy it in a passive kind of way, but as an adult with a brain you may want to skip this one. If you are an adult with a brain and have a love of baseball history, then definitely stay away. The Cubbies are the bad guys? Babe Ruth only hit so well due to his magic bat? Excuse me?

The movie has some high points, but the height is in relation to all those low points. In Depression era New York, “Yankee” Irving is a 10-year old who loves all things baseball. His adventures begin when he stumbles upon a baseball that talks (Rob Reiner). There is no reason given why the baseball can talk to Yankee, but, hey, it’s in the script. When Babe Ruth’s bat, Darlin’, is stolen by Lefty McGinnis (William H. Macy), a Cubs pitcher, it’s up to Yankee to get the bat back.

Rescuing Darlin’ – another talking inanimate object (voice of Whoopi Goldberg) – from Lefty, Yankee decides to bring the bat to Babe Ruth in Chicago. Some of those high points happen along the way. A ride with a Negro League team has some snap and verve, but most of the movie is mediocre at best. This is a shame as it is the last film that the late Christopher Reeve was involved in.

Playing fast and loose with baseball history, the movie may keep a baseball-loving kid enthralled, but the humor and plot fails on most counts for both children and adults.