Capsule reviews of new movie releases

[riky]

Capsule reviews of new movie releases

<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/capsule-reviews-movie-releases-215830964.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/KeLgxBMvnsTnOQKa8Fdz4A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/c833ab89f64a8f0b2e0f6a706700e604.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="This film image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, left, and Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey in a scene from &quot;42.&quot; (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures, D. Stevens)" align="left" title="This film image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, left, and Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey in a scene from &quot;42.&quot; (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures, D. Stevens)" border="0" /></a>&quot;42&quot; â€" Jackie Robinson was the ideal class act to break the barrier and become the first black player in Major League Baseball. Writer-director Brian Helgeland's Robinson biopic is a class act itself, though not always an engaging act. It's such a familiar story that any faithful film biography almost inevitably will turn out predictable, even a bit routine. With an earnest performance by Chadwick Boseman as Robinson and an enjoyably self-effacing turn by Harrison Ford as Brooklyn Dodgers boss Branch Rickey, &quot;42&quot; hits every button you expect very ably. It riles with its re-creations of the heartless, ignorant racism to which Robinson was subjected. It uplifts with its depictions of Robinson's restraint and fortitude. It inspires with its glimpses of support and compassion from teammates and fans. Yet like a sleepy, low-scoring ballgame, the film is not the jolt of energy and entertainment we wish it could be. The story plays out safely and methodically, centering on his rise to the majors from 1945-47 and letting that time unfold with slow, sturdy momentum. Helgeland's dialogue becomes preachy at times, and the film often languishes in soapiness. Boseman and Ford forge a nice bond, while Christopher Meloni is a delight in a short appearance as Dodgers manager Leo Durocher. Alan Tudyk delivers perfectly in an ugly role as a rival manager hurling racial slurs at Robinson. PG-13 for thematic elements including language. 128 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.</p><br clear="all"/>

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