Invincible (DVD, 2006, Widescreen)

Posted by CK-Auctions

Disney keeps cranking out these fact-based inspiring sports movies, throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. Now and then, something does. "Invincible" does. It's a lean, efficient, classy film, uplifting without being schmaltzy. It clearly was made by people who didn't just want to churn out another football story; they wanted to make a good movie.
The ads tout it as being "from the producers of 'The Rookie,'" but you'd probably have made the connection anyway. Both stories are about schoolteachers who take a once-in-a-lifetime chance to try out for a professional sports team. It was baseball in "The Rookie," and in "Invincible," it is that burliest, manliest of sports, football.

The film is set in Philadelphia (a burly, manly town) in 1976 (a burly, manly era -- just check out those mustaches). The economy is lousy, and so are the Philadelphia Eagles. Both factors are depressing to the men of South Philly, among them a just-fired, just-divorced man named Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg). His buddy Max (Michael Rispoli) owns the neighborhood bar and lets Vince work a few hours there to stay afloat, serving drinks to and commiserating with his pals.

The Eagles' new coach, Dick Vermeil (Greg Kinnear), a fresh-faced maverick from UCLA, sets up open tryouts as a publicity stunt. He doubts seriously that he'll find any worthwhile players by throwing open the gates to the local wannabes and former high school heroes, but at least it will get people excited about the Eagles again. Besides, who knows? Maybe there's a star out there, just waiting to be found.

Vince Papale is that star, convinced by his buddies, with whom he plays vacant-lot football some evenings, that he's a natural. If you are a football fan, perhaps you already know the name of Vince Papale, which means you already know what happens when he goes to those tryouts.

Of all the underdog-sports films in existence, this is one of the few to successfully re-create the spirit of "Rocky" (which I consider the gold standard), and not just because they're both set in Philadelphia in the mid-'70s. First-time writer Brad Gann and first-time director Ericson Core capture the moodiness of Vince's unemployment, the general low morale among his friends, the sheer loneliness, even with a team sport, of working out, training and preparing. There are even scenes of Vince jogging through Philadelphia, during which it is impossible not to think of the Italian Stallion.

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Posted by CK-Auctions

From our blog post of 12-21-06:

Invincible, (no not the upcoming Invincible Iron Man movie!), was recently released on DVD. It's the true story of South Philly native Vince Papale who played three season with the Philadelphia Eagles football team after winning a spot in an open camp.

Just checked it out yesterday at our local BlockBuster video store, (we own stock in the company), and viewed it last night.

Tina grew up in the greater Philadelphia area, so she's been an Eagles fan long before she was introduced to comic book collecting by me. She is a true fan, much like her Uncle John who helped raised her, so she knew all about Vince Papale. And yes, she's heard the stories of Eagles fans booing Santa Claus (although she was too young to remember it).

So how did it fare for a movie viewer like myself, who just recently became interested in the Philadelphia area and its football team?

Well it was pretty darn GREAT! It reminded me so much of the first Rocky Balboa film, who was from the same South Philly area, and also struggled to become a star. However, this was about a true person, not a fictional character, and it made me check out the bonus features, which included how this movie came to be, after it was first told in a 4 minute promo on an earlier Monday Night Football game. If you rent the DVD, I suggest you watch the bonus feature before you watch the movie.

The last time I was in Philly I had some fantastic cheesesteaks so, the street scenes made me hungry! Thank goodness we have "Philly Frank's" out here in San Diego area for when we're 'jonesing' for cheesesteaks!! Speaking of the street scenes, much of the movie was shot in Philadelphia. In fact, the daughter of a friend of Tina's served Mark Wahlberg several times at her Philly restaurant while they were in town filming the movie. (He was polite and a good tipper!)

The movie is definitely not to be missed... even if you are NOT an Eagles fan or even a football fan. It has an inspirational story and can been seen by a family audience.

Michael

Invincible

Invincible is great, it's well acted and is an incredible true-story. Mark Wahlberg is great as Vince Papali and Greg Kinnear is superb as Coach Dick Vermeil.

The movie itself is awesome. The movie not only features great football action, but also a look inside the life of an average Philadelphian circa 1976. I not only enjoyed every aspect of this movie. The fact that it's based on a true story makes it that much better.

Walt Disney makes the best sports movies, and this film is no exception.

Final Verdict:

5/5

Rent or Buy?: Sports or Football fan? This film is a must own. Just another great football movie to add to the collection.

IF YOU FIND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE. Thank you.

One of my favorite movie themes is true sports movies. I loved Miracle, Glory Road, Goal:The Dream Begins, Hoosiers, Remember the Titans, The Rookie. And now I'm adding Invincible to my collection. Mark Wahlberg really captured the character of Vince. He was Vince! This movie is an emotional one. It had me laughing, cheering, crying and cursing. All in one movie! I was never an Eagles fan. But I do remember this football player and his grit! Vince was truly a unique man. His spirit for the game and life came through with the determination to stay until asked to leave. I guess the joke was on him when Coach echoed those golden words, "Welcome to the Eagles!" I only wish Vince could have made it to the Super Bowl! But, I guess his first touchdown kept his Father going for another 30 years!! Another great movie from Disney!

You don't have to have grown up in Philly as a die-hard Eagles fan to like this movie, Invincible brings a lot of heart warming memories to the screen. There were several moments during the movie that I welled up with tears and goose bumps.

Invincible should be an inspiration to all of us that aspire to "higher ground" in our lifetimes. I do not mean the aspiration for material wealth but true spiritual wealth that is within all of us.

I strongly recommend that all parents their children watch this movie. The message they will take away is to "never give up" on yoursef. Regardless of what other people may think of you; your life circumstances; your education level; if you have a goal and most importantly are willing to work dilgently towards that goal, then you can succeed. Even if you don't achieve your goal exactly as you envisioned it, the "journey" will be remembered for a lifetime.

The movie portrayed that even though you have self-doubts, setbacks, tough mental and physical challenges; you can overcome them with a strong work ethic and positive attitude. In addition it demostrated the power of the love and support from "true" family and friends who truly care for your well-being.

Invincible is a winner! It is well acted by Mark Walhberg and Greg Kinnear with a strong supporting cast. The direction is tight and the movie moves along at a good pace. The football action scenes are well done, particularly the Eagles-Giants game segment. Like any biographical movie, their are some dramatic liberties taken with the storyline. But the amount of dramatic license is minimal and certainly does not take away from the strong inspirational message that Invincible delivers to the audience. It is not Friday Night Lights or Any Given Sunday where every tackle is a diving bone crushing highlite reel hit. The action is good and there is alot of none football events in the movie, you don't have to be a football fan to love this one.

Do yourself and your family a favor. Take them to see Invincible - a powerful, inspiring movie that will stay within their hearts and memories for a long time after the end credits have rolled.