Watch Kids' Reviews of
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (HDNET MOVIES 2014)

I expected this movie to be about an inspirational story of a legendary player, but it's not exactly what happens. "Rookie of the Year" is a wonderful story that all kids and families will enjoy.

This movie has quite a bit to love. It has adventure, comedy, a bit of suspense, romance and, my favorite, baseball.

The story is about a kid who loves baseball, but kind of stinks at it. However something happens and he has a chance of greatness.

I love many things about this film - the storyline, the acting, the editing, but most importantly, how the producers show that anybody can fulfill their dreams. The directing is also amazing. Everything wraps up very nicely in the end. I almost wished I was that kid and had a chance of at least a few minutes in MLB.

My favorite scene is when the boy is getting pushed around by his manager and his mother pops out of nowhere, argues with the manager and finally punches him down stairs, which I think is pretty awesome.

I recommend this movie to ages 9 to 18. Kids under 9 probably won't enjoy it as much but there's certainly nothing objectionable about it. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Gerry O., age 11, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic

"Rookie of the Year" is such an inspirational movie! A lot of kids dream about playing in the Major Leagues one day and this movie makes it seem real. Linda Lowy, the casting director, does a great job picking a cast that is really good at making such an unbelievable plot believable.

"Rookie of the Year" is about a boy named Henry (Thomas Ian Nicholas) who likes to play Little League baseball, even though he is not very good. He breaks his arm while playing baseball at school with his friends, and magically gets a special power in his pitching arm. When his cast comes off he can throw a ball 104 mph! While Henry is at a Major League baseball game, general manager Larry Fisher (Dan Hedaya) sees Henry throw a ball 435 feet! He wants him to be a pitcher on his Major League team, and then Henry, amazingly, ends up playing for the Chicago Cubs.

There are so many great parts in this film. One of my favorite parts is when Henry and his friends build a boat with wood, paint and a motor. The boat they make goes so fast that water sprays up in an arc and they get soaked. After they are wet, they start grabbing more water and have a water fight. I laughed so hard and wished I could join them! I also really enjoyed seeing all the different Major League Baseball stadiums throughout the film. Robert Harper, the producer, does a great job selecting some really cool stadiums for the onsite filming.

"Rookie of the Year" shares a really good message with its audience. It teaches us that friends and family are way more important than glory, fame and money. Before Henry gets his special power, he thinks his friends and family are the most important people in the world, but after he gets his power he feels that fame is more important. Because of this, his friends do not play with him anymore and his mom is sad. In the end, Henry has to decide what is more important to him.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars because it is funny and inspiring. I recommend it for kids ages 8 to 14, but it is definitely a movie the whole family can enjoy, especially those who like baseball.

Reviewed by Jeremy B.A, KIDS FIRST! Critic, age 7.

Fun fantasy. Contains some socially inappropriate actions, such as insults from the coach in opening scene, the mother punching her boyfriend and saying, "I should have killed him." Overall, enjoyable, nicely paced, girls and boys both like this.

When the cast is removed from his severely broken arm, clumsy 12-year-old Henry Rowen Gartner (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is shocked to find his arm has become a 100 mile per-hour thunderbolt. His throw from the bleachers directly to home plate alerts the last place Chicago Cubs and before you can shout "play ball!" he is signed as their new ace pitcher. With a few pointers from an aging star pitcher (Gary Busey) young Henry actually manages to pull of the impossible. Directed by Daniel Stern; Writer - Sam Harper. Actors: Thomas Ian Nicholas, Gary Busey, Albert Hall, Amy Morton and Dan Hedaya.