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Are you ready for some football? Just in time for fall and the start of the preseason, Disney releases their football version of The Rookie. This time the story revolves around the 75-76 Philadelphia Eagles team and wide receiver Vince Papale. Invincible is a good title for this film because it is in Vince that you are able to pull through till the end. This movie works the same way Remember the Titans or Glory Road or even Rudy work. We all want to pull for the under dog; those who arise from hard times, social and economic struggles, or just mediocrity and achieve something amazing. That is what takes place in Invincible.

Papale (Mark Wahlberg) is 30 years old. His wife has dumped him. He has lost his job. His self image is shot. But this is South Philly and nothing is tighter than friendship. So when his lifelong pals convince him to go and try out for the Eagles during the 1976 open call tryouts he does. The film is a decent look at Papale's journey as well as now legendary coach Dick Vermeil's (Greg Kinnear) first year as Eagle's head coach.

I like the story because it isn't about a great legend of football. Most have never heard about this guy who played three seasons with the Eagles and set absolutely no records. It is a look at a guy who loved his team, his friends his city and when an opportunity came his way, he went for it;
making it on the shoulders of his friends and family. It's also a refreshing look at a time when football was a sport and not a league of rock stars and felons. When the game was played for purpose and not just a paycheck. Plus Philly in the mid '70's was a city that needed a team. Needed something to hope in and draw from. Teams like the Eagles and the Packers and the Steelers. These were teams that made cities great. Invincible gives a small look into that dynamic. Wahlberg and Kinnear both work well in this film. Maybe they do not resemble the guys they portray in real life, but they make the roles real and believable. You like them and that is important here.

This is definitely a movie for fans of football. Its history, excitement and bonding. As with most Disney films of this genre it is also a really decent
family film. There is a strong element of family and friendship in this one Characters you can easily pull for. Invincible is rated PG for sports action
and some mild language. Like the real sport it is rough on the field but definitely safe for the whole family. I give it 3.5 out of 5 first downs. It
is not a blockbuster but a great heartwarming story and a super lead in for fall. With a spin on Invincible, I'm Matt Mungle

The Mungle 8/23/06

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com