To be completely honest, I cannot believe it took Hollywood this long to make a film about one of the most controversial baseball players of all-time. Jackie Robinson was the first black man to professionally play America’s Pastime, baseball, a hallowed sport beloved by the white folk all across the country struggling to hold onto their ‘civil upper hand’ in the 1950′s. The true story is filled with injustice, hatred, courage, and most of all, triumph. How has it taken this long to make a film about this man?

Check it.

Like I said, this true story has too much at stake not to be gobbled up by some studio years ago. But here we are, about to check out a biopic about the bravest, and one of the greatest, baseball players to trot the diamond. The visuals in this movie look gorgeous — Robinson rounding third after a home run is my favorite shot. I especially love watching the 42 growing stronger as Robinson walks out of the dark tunnel into the light of the playing field.

The man set to play the legend, Chadwick Boseman, has a quite confidence emitting from him. He really looks the part — he has a strong resemblance to Jackie. I’m glad they didn’t chose Will Smith to play the part for star power and marketing potential. I like when filmmakers find the right person for the role.

The only reservation I have about this film is it’s dropping in the Spring, a release date usually meant as filler between the greatness of award season movies and the money making Summer blockbusters. Great films are not typically released in April. So maybe the studio already knows something we don’t. Release dates are extremely important to studios, they dissect all the possibilities ad nauseum. Hopefully 42 being released in the Spring doesn’t mean it’s not a quality biopic.

What Did You Think Of The Trailer?

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