In the pantheon of baseball movies, like most genres, there are a few examples that have reached such a legendary status that they are almost untouchable and beyond criticism. 1984's "The Natural" may be the most iconic and most revered baseball movie of all time. That being said, does it still live up to that status today? Let's take a look.  

"The Natural" is the tale of Roy Hobbs, a 19-year-old kid who seems destined for baseball greatness. In a fantastic scene, the kid is challenged to strike out baseball great Walter "The Whammer" Whambold with only three pitches. Whambold is clearly a representation of Babe Ruth both in look and in personality. When Hobbs completes the task, it seems he's truly ready to take the baseball world by storm. However, he doesn't get that chance. At least, not until he's in his mid-to-late 30's. Then, he arrives to the New York Knights as a complete unknown, very old rookie. One thing leads to another, and you end up with one of the greatest home run scenes in baseball cinematic history. 

This film is part baseball movie and part mystic fable. It stretches reality on several occasions, but they are mostly forgivable because of the nature of the tale. It is supposed to be unbelievable. He even crafts his own baseball bat, "Wonder Boy," from a tree that had been struck by lightning which he manages to use nearly his entire career. Most of the actual baseball scenes are done well enough, but some of the characters are little more than tropes (I'm looking at you, Bump Bailey.)

On the flip side, a few select characters are simply fantastic. The best of the lineup is Knight's skipper, Pop Fisher, played by Wilford Brimley. Grumpy and grumbling all the time, he's constantly muttering to himself, "I should have been a farmer!" You can't help but sympathize with and love the old goat. Robert Duvall is his usual, charismatic self, playing the badgering reporter, Max Mercy. He's the one guy who recognizes Hobbs from that years ago run in with "The Whammer" and is a dog with a bone trying to get the full story. Richard Farnsworth plays the remarkably likeable assistant coach, Red Blow, who quietly delivers some of the film's best lines. The lead role, of course, is played by Robert Redford. More on him in a minute. 

So, what's the final score here? Is "The Natural" the best baseball movie of all time? For my money, nope. Unpopular opinion time...it's not in my top 5! While I admire much about the movie and you can't help but love Brimley, and the shattered lights scene is iconic, I just get bored with the plot. It's painfully slow with too little baseball action and the character of Roy Hobbs, as played by Redford, is just plain bland and the same goes for  his love interests (played by Glenn Close and Kim Basinger). Some of the minor roles are not acted particularly well. I understand why many people love this movie, and I like it fine, but it comes up a bit short for my taste to be considered among the best of the best. 

Scorecard: Solid double off the wall

Best line: Red Blow: Pretty good food, huh?
                Roy Hobbs: Damn good.
                Red Blow: You can't spell it, but it eats pretty good, don't it?

Run Time: 2 hr 18 min