MAJOR LEAGUE II

US, 1994, 105 minutes, Colour.
Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Corbin Bernsen, Dennis Haysbert, James Gammon, Omar Epps, Eric Bruskotter, Takaaki Ishibashi, Alison Doody, Michelle Burke, David Keith, Margaret Whitton, Bob Uecker, Randy Quaid.
Directed by David S.Ward.

Major League was a popular baseball film of 1989, written and directed by the talented writer, David S. Ward, Cannery Row, writer of the two Sting films, King Ralph… This sequel comes five years later and was followed by a third sequel, utilising some of Ward’s characters, much less successful, baseball film (with characters played by Corbin Bernsen, Dennis Haysbert, Bob Uecker performing their third Major League film).

The plot of this film is fairly standard, with some baseball training, and with a lot of sequences showing matches, tensions between the Cleveland Indians and their opponents, their going downhill, motivation to get them going again, and, obviously, not only their winning but their getting comeuppance on some of their opponents.

While the film relies on audience interest in and support of baseball, the film has an interesting cast led by Charlie Sheen as Wild Thing, trying to be respectable but the fans wanting him to stay Wild Thing; Tom Berenger as the ageing player with an injury who becomes coach; Corbin Bernsen buying the team from petulant Margaret Whitton who buys it back but wants it to lose; players such as Dennis Haysbert who has discovered Buddha and an inner peace, Omar Epps is the glamour boy who has appeared in an action movie with rustler, and later Governor, Jesse Ventura; and David Keith as the totally obnoxious player who alienates his side and then is seconded by Chicago.

David S. Ward also directs this film.

1. The popularity for American audiences of baseball films? The original film and its popularity, baseball, characters, competition, rivalries? Their being taken up in this sequel?

2. Cleveland, the site for matches, the performance in matches, the field, the dressing rooms, the stands? Authentic feel? Most of the action taking place at the field – some of the sequences in hotels, television commercial making, meeting with child fans? The musical score? And the use of Wild Thing?

3. The introduction to the characters, the team, the individuals, the coach, spirit, ups and downs, the fans, being vindicated in victory?

4. The team, the spirit, the meeting of friends, practice, the matches, the dressing room? The idiosyncrasies of the team? The oppositions, on the field? Especially Jack Portman?

5. Coach, age, putting the team together, the practice, the young man from Iowa and his lack of concentration and getting Jake Taylor to help? His growing exasperation? Collapse? In hospital? Watching the British Upstairs Downstairs but listening to the match?

6. Charlie Sheen as Rick, star, Wild Thing, haircut, clothes, in jail, his background, becoming respectable, suit and tie, the reaction of his fans, Flannery and her trying to promote him, television interviews and be indiscreet about his life, his innumerable mistakes during the television commercial? His skills, the name for his pitches? His success, his failures, the fans against him, morose? His decision to go back to his old ways, Flannery’s response, the friendship with Michelle in the past, with the kids and his autograph? Comeback, the clash with Jack Portman, success, the fans wild with Wild Thing, and the happy ending?

7. Jake Taylor, success, age, injury, the rivalry with Portman, his being let go, offered the job of coach, initial reaction, his return, his success as coach, with each of the men, helping the young man from Iowa with his concentration problem, his tactic with Roger Dorn at the end, allowing Rick his revenge? His promising not to use the Ronald Reagan slogan with the team – and his using it with even more emotion? The team’s response?

8. Jack Portman, arrogant, clash with Jake Taylor, being transferred to Chicago, his taunts on the field, his final comeuppance?

9. The eccentric members of the team, Willy Mays Hayes and his limousine, his extroverted behaviour, the scenes from his action show with Jesse Ventura? His hits, running – but then his beginning to fail? Going on as a runner, his success? Pedro, big, the conversion, everything about peace, order, the bird hit with the ball and his tending to it, the Japanese and his being drawn into the team, challenging Pedro to be a warrior, the team and the symbol of balls? The ingenuous young men from her work, Playboy and his concentration, just happy to play baseball? Successful in both? And the regular members of the team…?

10. Rachel, rich, selling the team, buying it back, surrounded by he-men, wanting it to fail?

11. Flannery, glamour, promoting Rick, the television commercials, the frustration of the director? The contrast with Michelle, liking Rick as Wild Thing, with the children, the photo opportunity, the end?

12. The three fans – and the portrait of support, fanaticism, disillusionment, change?

13. Bob Uecker as the compere, in each of the films, capitalising on the comedy potential, his comments, collapse, taunting his co--host?

14. Comic touches, serious touches, baseball film for fans, especially Americans?