The Replacements (2000)

If you’re going to assemble a team, be it heroes, misfits, villains, or otherwise, there needs to be a legitimate connection established between them, and they all need to have appropriately balanced amounts of screen-time. This film does that better than anything I’ve seen in the West. Every character has a purpose and moments to shine. Keanu rightfully uses his position as the star to literally throw the spotlight onto his teammates. He even took a major pay cut to get Gene Hackman on board, for the good of the movie—for the good of the team. Unlike a recent effort, the camaraderie is real and so is its emotional raison d’être.

4½ Easily Outwitted Bookies out of 5

Nutted by NEG.