Cast
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Tom Berenger
as Jake Taylor
Charlie Sheen
as Rick Vaughn
Corbin Bernsen
as Roger Dorn
Margaret Whitton
as Rachel Phelps
James Gammon
as Lou Brown
Rene Russo
as Lynn Wells
Wesley Snipes
as Willie Mays Hayes
Charles Cyphers
as Charlie Donovan
Chelcie Ross
as Eddie Harris
Dennis Haysbert
as Pedro Cerrano
Andy Romano
as Pepper Leach
Bob Uecker
as Harry Doyle
Steve Yeager
as Duke Temple
Peter Vuckovich
as Haywood
Stacy Carroll
as Suzanne Dorn
Crew
Director
- David S. Ward
Writer
- David S. Ward
Producer
- Irby Smith
- Chris Chesser
Reviews
John Chard
These guys don't look to f**king good!
Cleveland Indian's owner Rachel Phelps puts together the worst baseball team she can find, the hope is that they finish plum last and she can then relocate the franchise to sunny Florida. However, once the assortment of oddball players get wind of the plan they find a collective goal to achieve, with hilarious results.
Goofy? Well yes it is of course, but Major League has charm in abundance and with a pretty smart cast having fun, the result is a truly enjoyable and laugh filled piece of fluff. Refreshingly you don't have to have any knowledge or a love of baseball to enjoy this movie, it thrives on locker room mentality and crowd demented loyalty for the laughs, to which the pic delivers them at almost every turn. The assorted team members comprise such characters like a religious voodoo nutter and a wild child parolee - and those are the sane ones! The cast is made up of big names, Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Rene Russo and Wesley Snipes are in tune and in it for laughs, and hopefully you will be as well. Upon its theatrical release it proved to be a popular crowd winner, so much so that (unfortunately) two desperately bad sequels were spawned, so do avoid those at all costs. Instead just settle for this one especially if you are in need of a pick me up.
Wild Thing you make my heart sing, indeed. 7/10
Sep 14, 2019
The Movie Mob
**Major League proves anything can be fun and hilarious with the right collection of zany outlandish characters.**
Major League just makes me happy. It’s packed with quirky, eccentric characters, lots of ridiculous moments, sincere character development, and that iconic song, Wild Thing! This crazy team of misfit baseball players makes Major League as wonderful as it is. Tom Berenger’s weary veteran catcher balances a young Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes. Add in All-State Insurance’s own Dennis Haysbert as the volatile voodoo power hitter, Pedro Cerrano, and strong performances from Rene Russo, James Gammon, and Corbin Bernson, and Major League becomes one of the most iconic and hilarious sports movies of all time. Major League made me start to enjoy watching baseball at a young age and fills me with nostalgia and joy. Ok, I need to go watch it again right now.
Nov 26, 2022
GenerationofSwine
It came out when I was 9 and, honestly, all 9 year old boys love baseball movies. It's a law that transcends race, religion, and country of origin. Even in backwards countries like France, when they value soccer as a national popular sport, the 9 year old boys still love baseball movies. Even if they don't play it.
Anyway, this was a love story to the Cleveland Indians. It stinks of it. You know, you just know that someone wrote the movie, directed it, whatever, just so that they could sit back and watch the Indians win.
It's like baseball fan fiction, only unlike normal fan fiction, it's a pleasure to watch because baseball fan fiction is about the team winning and not about a Mary Sue taking all the glory.
And then, to cover up the fact that it's baseball fan fiction, they made it into a comedy as if to tell the audience not to worry, they aren't going to take it seriously anyway.
And I get where they are coming from, I had the exact same fantasies about the Cubs, most of my life, at least until I went to Europe and saw a soccer riot and got worried about what would happen if they did actually win... but it went off without a hitch didn't it? And now, honestly, it doesn't feel right.
A part of me, the masochist in me, would almost rather have a movie like this made about my team, instead of seeing the real thing.
Anyways, what it is, is baseball fan fiction, and base ball fan fiction is a lot better than most other things. Baseball period is a lot better than most other things.
Its almost like a romantic comedy in a very weird way. So sit back, grab a beer, and enjoy. It's like watching a funny version of the real thing.
Jan 12, 2023
Thematic Analysis
Major League represents a fascinating example of Comedy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director David S. Ward brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1989, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Major League took approximately 33 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $11.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 107 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 154 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 9 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
- The costume department created over 355 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 1989, when this film was released:
- Personal computers were beginning to transform homes and workplaces.
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Major League shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Nacho Libre, which focuses more on action than character development, Major League subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Jerry Maguire and Mr. Magoo explore similar territory, Major League stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: February 16, 1989
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Budget: $11,000,000
- Revenue: $75,000,000
Where to Watch
