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The Babe (Brian Dennehy) get his Darlin' back, thanks to Yankee

The period piece aspect of Everyone's Hero is a refreshing departure from what's been proffered in animation of late. The film is most successful when it succeeds in capturing 1930s America—in scenes, for example, when Yankee encounters some benevolent hobos or when he meets the Babe in a swank Chicago hotel. Unfortunately, some sloppy writing in other scenes undermines the film's full potential (Darlin' asks for a mochaccino, various characters use some decidedly un-depression-era slang). And the somewhat stock soundtrack would have been way cooler if it had committed itself more completely to the period.

Five days after screening Everyone's Hero, I'm still cringing a little, in my grown-up, jaded way, at the cute, corny, earnestness of the film. My 8-year-old co-screener, Ben, is still grinning in his uncynical way, at the memory of Yankee, Darlin', Screwie and their great adventure. I've got to admit, even though I didn't have that much fun watching a talking baseball, I sure enjoyed watching my son watching a talking baseball. And afterward, when he thanked me for taking to the "best movie ever," I felt like a bit of a hero myself.

1. Throughout the movie, Yankee learns a lot about the actual mechanics of baseball from some great players. In the end, a combination of dreaming big, learning from the best, and practice helps him improve his game. Is there something in your life you dream of doing well? Are you seeking out people who are good at it, and letting them teach you? Are you willing to practice as well as dream?
   
   
2. Yankee's dad tells him that no matter what happens, he should keep swinging. Is there a parallel between that advice and 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 or Philippians 3:13-14?
   
   
3. Yankee's decision to try to find and return the bat on his own makes for a good story, but was it really the best decision? What would have happened if he had tried again to tell his dad who had the bat and asked for his help?

Everyone's Hero is rated G. There is some slapstick cartoon violence, and the main character faces some mild peril. There are some benign flatulence jokes. Most families will find the film's content appropriate even for very young children.

Photos © Copyright 20th Century Fox

© Carolyn Arends 2006, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

When a young boy travels a thousand miles to help Babe Ruth's New York Yankees win the World Series, he lives out an inspiring adventure that teaches him, and us, lessons about persevering against all odds. That's the story of Everyone's Hero, a film that reaches the big screens at last after receiving a lot of support from someone who knew a lot about perseverance—Christopher Reeve.

Jenn Wright (Looking Closer) writes, "Basically, it's a good animated feature. Definitely entertaining enough for the adults. … It's honest and clean, and … recalls an era when things like baseball and hard work were things that mattered to ten-year-old kids and their struggling parents—as well as loudmouth foul balls—whose dreams can become reality when they just keep swingin'."

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