Invincible

The true story of Vince Papale, a bartender/unemployed substitute school teacher in Philadelphia (Mark Wahlberg) who tried out for the NFL's Eagles and ended up being an integral part of Dick Vermeil's (Greg Kinnear) team for three years in the late-1970s. Typical underdog story that I have always been a sucker for and this one is no exception. Has that "Rocky" feel to it with shades of countless other inspirational sports stories from seemingly the beginning of films. It is good at capturing the intensity of Philadelphia sports fans and also excellent at showing how blue collar folks in that part of the country interact, socialize and often struggle to make a living. If nothing else, "Invincible" displays just how imperative and key that professional sports are to many within certain U.S. metropolitan areas. 4 stars out of 5.

After just seeing "Invincible" I must say thumbs up! Way to go that finally after 30 years this true story is brought to the big screen. Call me bias or partial because I'm an Eagles fan, but the story of any underdog making an NFL team makes you happy. 30 year old bartender and part-time school teacher Vince Papale who finds life a struggle from his wife leaving him, to problems paying his bills he finds only one hope that is to escape thru his love and passion for the Eagles. Papale a season ticket holder and sandlot football star decides to give himself a shot at a better life in 1976 when newly hired coach Dick Vermil decides to hold open tryouts. Papale has the odds stacked against him, but thru his will and determination to make it, because no one ever expected him to do anything he prevails! Papale lands a roster spot as a special teams player a blue-collar guy doing blue collar work on the field. The scenes and background of this movie, especially the way Veterans Stadium is shown is sketchy and unbelievable, but the story is true and touching. Vince Papale played for the Eagles for three seasons, well acted and done by Mark Wahlberg who showed enthusiasm with this role. Also Greg Kinnear is great as legendary head coach Dick Vermeil, overall a great movie of an underdog that leaves you smiling at the end. I hope more real-life NFL movies are made about players, because "Invincible" sets the standard.

Definitely an underrated sports movie. Does a fantastic job of capturing the ethos of the de-industrialization of the east coast through the secondary characters and the setting. If you love an underdog story you will love this movie. The movie captures both the highs of achieving the American dream and the difficulties of working class life in the US. While the film is centered around Papale's improbable leap to the NFL, the film is truly about the bonds of friendship and companionship in times of adversity and it's a film that leaves you rooting for all of the characters involved. While it's not completely accurate, the Hollywood changes in this movie are welcome and not obtrusive and keep with the overall theme of the story. If you enjoy Rudy, this film is a more realistic/accurate and more succinct Rudy. A fantastic feel good underdog story that will warm the hearts of football lovers and avid movie go-ers alike, it appeals to anyone with a heart.

Really enjoyed this film. Went with my almost 13 year old son who is just starting his first participation in organized football in school and I think the film really inspired him.

No the film does not focus on the Eagles professional sports organization. So if you're looking for a film that does that, you're probably going to be disappointed.

The film focuses on our hero and to a large degree his neighborhood friends and what it was like for a 30 year old bartender who only played organized football in high school and how he showed up one Saturday at an unprecedented open try out for a professional football team and how he was selected....not selected to join the team automatically.

No, he was only selected for a spot to possibly be on the team. It took a few weeks of being with the team and surviving 'cuts' until he was actually part of the team.

The fact that he did make it, against all the odds, is certainly your classic fairy tale come true.

Disney manages to show rough guys from a rough part of Philadelpia and rough professional football players realistically without ever having to utter one profanity on the screen or use gratuitous violence or vulgarity to do it. That's an accomplishment Disney should be proud of.

Honestly, as a movie buff, it's been a long time since I've gone to the movies where I was able to stay engaged throughout the running time of the movie.

The movie isn't pretentious nor does it take the easy way out in telling its story of rough blue collar characters-by employing vulgarity, overt sexuality or excessive violence.

It relies on tried and true methods like a good storyline, taking the time to establish a good foundation in the beginning of the movie, letting the audience get to know the characters involved and then when the bigger more dramatic moments come it doesn't need to rely on over the top special affects to get the audience involved.

That being said, the actual professional football game scenes are well done with just enough special affects to give the audience the feel that these actors really were on that playing field playing the game.

I really can't say enough about this movie. When all the hype fades away on other overly marketed & bigger budgeted movies, it will be a movie like this one, that you'll reach for over and over again in your personal movie library.

And while we're at it, hats off to Mark Whalberg for a sensitive, well acted portrayal.

It's every ex high schooler football players dream. To walk on and make their favorite NFLs team after a mediocre life after high school. The cool part is this is a true story. Great watch for all football fans.