Movie Summary: “42” tells the story of Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American player in the Major Leagues. Chadwick Boseman plays Jackie Robinson and Harrison Ford plays Branch Rickey, who insisted that Robinson be signed in the first place. Rated PG-13. Runtime: 2 hours 8 minutes. Genre: Drama. Directed and written by Brian Helgeland. Also stars Christopher Meloni and Jud Tyler.

Brendan Cross says:
Not a home run, buta ground-rule double (3.5/5 Stars)

“42” tells the tale of the breaking of the baseball color barrier by Jackie Robinson, played by Chadwick Boseman, in 1947 as he made the opening day roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The movie was certainly great overall, as it told an everlasting tale, but it lacked a little something.

It lacked a bit of an edge and needed to tell a story that no one had heard of or known before. It puts all the basic facts of Jackie’s life in order for the three or so years journey he had between him being plucked out of the Negro Leagues by Dodgers owner Branch Rickey, played by Harrison Ford, playing a season with their Minor League affiliate Montreal Royals, and his rookie season in the majors ultimately ending in a pennant victory for the Dodgers and a Rookie of the Year award win for Robinson. It had some great comedic moments, but ultimately that was not why the story needed to be told.

The real and more “R rated” story of Robinson is the one I was hoping to see, but it still provides knowledge of his lore on baseball.

Dakotah Zabroski says:
Hits it clear outof the ballpark

“42” tells the true story of Brooklyn Dodger Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, played by Chadwick Boseman, and the hardships that he suffered, especially in the early years of his career.

Since Robinson was the first African-American to play in the MLB he heard many racial slurs, players trying to hurt him, and unfair calls. “42” does an excellent job to show all this in vivid detail.

Harrison Ford, who plays Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Dodgers, plays an excellent role. Ford portrays Rickey in such a way that the viewer feels if they are actually in the room with him. Ford is able to show what kind of man Rickey was, and his open mindedness to black athletes.

The movie showed a range of emotions from hardship to humor. Just when it began to become serious, there would be excellent comic relief to make the viewer laugh, relax, and further enjoy the movie.

As a baseball fanatic, “42” is an excellent movie and a must see for baseball fans.