Chasing 3000 - 6 stars out of 10

Chasing 3000 - 6 stars out of 10

"Chasing 3000" is a heartwarming family film that will really strike a chord with the older generation of baseball fans and all Pittsburgh Pirate fans.  Although the film focuses around baseball, this merely creates a context for the theme of brotherly love in the face of adversity.  The classic footage of Roberto Clemente is sparingly used in several strategic places throughout the film, though no moment is better than the opening sequence with the young kids imitating Clemente as they played in 1966.  While I would not nominate any of these performances for an Oscar, Lauren Holly (of "Dumb and Dumber" fame) and "Little Macaulay Culkin" (aka Rory Culkin) showed the most refined acting chops.  M. Emmet Walsh was too over the top and, while being lovable, made me roll my eyes.  Best of all is the satisfying end to the boys' journey and the even greater tearjerking ending to the film.  This film is better than anything seen on the Highmark Channel while still warming your heart and pays a nice tribute to one of the finest ballplayers of all time.