MovieChat Forums > The Sandlot (1993) Discussion > This movie was painful to watch

This movie was painful to watch

posted 14 years ago by grim107
86 replies | jump to latest

I can't believe I'm writing this, as it's only a matter of time until I'll be flamed. First off, I'm not going to write one of those mindless posts with little to no punctuation saying that this movie sucks and giving little to no reasons. I watched this movie after seeing Stand by Me. While looking on the IMDB forums as well as Google for similar movies, I kept coming back over and over to The Sandlot. I decided to watch it, and amazingly, struggled through every moment of it. I'd viewed different posts asking which people like more: The Sandlot or Stand by Me. Just about everyone said it was a really close call, as they are both classics. Obviously, I began watching with pretty high expectations.

The acting was extremely flat. Yes, I'm aware that these kids were obviously very young, but so was Jerry O'Connell of Stand by Me (not saying he was the best of the four, but he WAS the youngest).

The idea of the supernatural dog was annoying in itself. How was a dog supposed to outsmart a large group of kids over and over? Once it escaped, why did it only chase down Benjamin Rodrguez and not the rest of the kids? How was it able to jump through a pane of glass and walk out unharmed? Once the boys freed the dog from under the fence, how could it have just taken a liking to them? Why was the dog hoarding kids' baseballs anyways? Stand by Me definitely had NOTHING supernatural, and it was written by Stephen King! It was this that made Stand by Me so believable.

What was up with those annoying sound effect that was played whenever a pop-fly started to drop? I groaned every time I heard that. There was little in the movie to let us know that it took place in 1962. Had it not been for the drugstore, the movie could have pretty much taken place during any time period. Perhaps one of the more major annoyances was the fact that the kids never really matured. If anyone remembers Stand by Me, there are several scenes when the kids start opening up to each other about their broken homes, their hopes, and their dreams. There were also several powerful scenes which featured the kids breaking down.

If I had more time to think, I'm sure I can find many more annoyances with this movie. The only redeeming thing about watching it was hearing the song Green Onions. Overall, I'm giving this movie a 3/10.

I'm aware that I've only compared this movie to Stand by Me, but that is because Stand by Me is definitely the best example of a coming-of-age tale and was magnificently put together. It had great acting, great script, and great direction. Also, many people on these forums compare the two movies together. Stand by Me was a kids movie made for adults. The Sandlot was a kids movie made for kids. I'm guessing that the only reason this movie is viewed at as a classic is because many people saw it when they were young, and it brings back sentimental memories. Even if I'd had far lower standards (for example, if I hadn't seen Stand by Me), I still would have hated this movie. So here is my challenge: explain to me why you think this movie was so good. Also, I ask that because I've actually taken the time to write a thoughtful response, you do the same. No one will take you seriously if you don't. Thank you all for reading.

[–] osubuckeye420 12 years ago

The OP is 19 now...

The reason he didn't like this movie is probably because he spent his childhood playing video games and didn't go outside and have adventures in his neighborhood.

He can't relate to this movie because he probably didn't have many of those types of experiences.

Before anyone thinks I'm making fun of him, I'm really not.

I have a younger brother who hated this movie. I could never figure it out, but thinking back on it it's probably because while I was outside playing sports with my friends in the neighborhood, he was inside with the same 2-3 friends playing NES or SNES.

It wasn't that my brother was weird, it was just the eras we grew up in. NES came out when I was in 2nd grade, all of my friends and I were used to playing sports outside so we only played video games when it rained.

My brother and his friends would be inside all the time (even on beautiful days) playing Mario Bros/Duck Hunt/Final Fantasy.

I'm not saying I'm better or worse than him, it was just the way it was. Kids his age played video games. Kids my age played sports. The cut off was about 1984.

I would guess that if you polled people who were born prior to 1984, they would love this movie. If you poll people who were born after 1984, you're going to get many more negative reviews. Just a theory.

[–] Sofistali 12 years ago

I think OP just over-analyzed the movie. It's a cute story about a group of kids who lose their ball over the fence and have an adventure getting it back. That's all it is.

[–] tmice2000 11 years ago

Grim, I'm with you. I finally sat down to watch and I had to force my self to finish. I had heard how good it was, how people couldn't believe I didn't see it. It was average at best. 7.8 rating blows my mind. This is coming from a man who loves baseball, and loves to reminisce about days past as a boy. It just didn't have the magic I was told it had.

[–] Fornicus 11 years ago

If you didn't see this as a kid, you're probably not able to enjoy it... it's not a perfect film, but on a nostalgic level, it brings you back to your youth.

[–] ajheinrich59 11 years ago

Thanks for your review.

Had a few points of my own to make:

I was a child of the 60s, lived in a small town and played baseball as a kid (organized and scrub). So, this one struck a chord with me.

To your point that it wasn't period enough for you. How many cars did you see from the 90s or later? The U-Haul trailer was spot on. The costumes, spot on (particularly the baseball uniforms and safety equipment used by the rich kids). The music track....fits perfectly. Even Squints' homemade spy telescope is made from a period Wheaties box.

From what you wrote you either didn't play ball, or didn't enjoy playing it. The references to baseball lore and history are too numerous to list and the manner in which they are presented brought back many a memory for me.

Sure, the acting is second rate. They weren't shooting for an Oscar here. It's more like a live action Sunday comic. Even so, they hit all the marks for those who enjoy baseball and life as a young boy, learning to play the game...of baseball, and life.

I think you simply were over-thinking this one, and missed out on a simple, fun time of movie viewing. Try watching it again, but, this time, set your expectation meter to that of "Sunday Comics". I think then, you'll enjoy it much more.

Take care!

[–] liquidchaoss 11 years ago

No way an adult can give a proper review of a child movie plain and simple. I loved this movie as a kid but as an adult it isn't as good, wonder why?

[–] jucrew1 11 years ago

Grim, do you or did you ever play sports as a child? If so, which?

The Sandlot is one of my all time favorite movies, even now as an adult, i have trouble changing the channel when it's on TV. However i would never claim it to be an award winning film, nor would i compare it to Stand By me. As others have already said, it's all about nostalgia. maybe you had to be an active kid growing up to appreciate it, or maybe where you grew up matters. i relate to the block parties they throw, to the town pool, the heat, local legends etc....add on a great score (for the movie that it is, ie Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful") and it just keeps a smile on my face.

My assumption is that your childhood does not relate to this movie at all, and if that is the case i understand why you didn't care for it. Either way it's too bad for you. The Sandlot is one of the best kids movies of all time!

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nobodies666 10 years ago

Or friendship. I love this movie loathe sports

No respect you make me sick!! You give a aspirin a headache!!!

[–] jimbob122 11 years ago

Its a kids movie bro. Your thinking too deeply. This movie is a classic

[–] zdiddy7 10 years ago

I think Stand by Me needs to get a restraining order against you. If I were Stand by Me, I'd be worried everytime I was alone in a dark alley, parking garage etc.. I'd fear that it was you and you were in the same creepy, "I love you so much that I can't help raping you" mood you were in when you wrote the original post!! If Stand by Me suddenly disappears or gets murdered Im sending the police immediately your way you weird ass creeper.