A stand-up double

Mr. 3000 is a sports comedy that could have tripped up on every cliché in the book, but instead finds new ways to tell a very familiar story. The most appealing aspect of the story is the natural the character arc for Bernie Mac’s Stan Ross. He stars as a self-absorbed athlete with star-power and ends up learning how to sacrifice himself for others – without really abandoning his egocentric nature. He is a believable twenty-first century sports star who learns to be a better person, not a different person. The supporting characters are all well thought out and played – particularly the silent manager played by the normally verbose Paul Sorvino. You know he is going to say something at some point, and when he does it still turns out to be a pleasant surprise. Bernie Mac can be physically imposing on-screen, but in Angela Bassett he finds a partner with just as much of a physical presence. They are an enjoyable pair – their physicality helps sell the sexual relationship they used to have (and that they rekindle). The baseball footage all feels natural, most especially an excellent sequence early in the film involving a pitcher who throws one high and inside on Ross. Director Charles Stone III manages to stay totally within the bounds of the genre, but his editing skills and his ability to shape likable characters allows him to achieve a first-rate entry in the genre.

Coming on Monday - my annual exercise in public humiliation: Oscar nomination predictions.