THE LONGSHOTS

I was too easy on "PIneapple Express" and gave it two stars. I was hard on "Tropic Thunder" and gave it one star. This week, "The Longshots" has the look of an average, two star film. Yet, just as with "What Happens in Vegas," this movie lifts itself higher via the excellent manner in which a very basic story is told. The positive, uplifting manner in which every element of the story unfolds, gives it a special chemistry, a life of its own. This film is much more than the sum of its parts. Tight, focused writing ( even with no surprises ), good directing, fine acting by the young cast and HEART - this movie has HEART; it really comes to life and brings you into the struggle of the characters - that is why it earns that extra star.