Michael Irvin in The Longest Yard

[BrAinPaiNt]

Originally Posted by TwoDeep3

I have always thought the original film was a very poor vehicle to feature Burt Reynolds. There was nothing in that film that caused me to go, "Wow." The football scenes reminded me of the ones in M.A.S.H. The film, not the TV series.

In both cases I think they felt staged and trite.

I went to see this version because I was talked into it by others. I was reluctant. My dislike of the original certainly flavored my thoughts on this film before viewing it.

I was right. This is a very close version of the first film. I knew each pay-off after each set-up. There were no suprises.

Two things came to mind as I watched this.

Courtney Cox has a great rack.

Michael Irvin putting on a helmet that looks like a New York Giants helmet was revolting.

Irvin's celebrations were golden and brought back memories.

[View Full Quote]Other than that, this was simply a rehash of a not very good film.

Then add Burt Reynolds playing the part of Nate Scarboro, who was played by Michael Conrad in the original, and this film quickly digressed into B movie.

Reynolds was a runningback for Florida State. He messed up his knee and then became an actor. I sometimes wonder if he would have faded into obscurity had he not had his injury.

Other than "Sharkey's Machine," I can't think of a film he has done that is worth the price of admission.

Just his inclusion made this film worse. If that is possible.

Just my opinion.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess.

I personally love the original movie and the DVD is on it's way to my house as I type this (columbia house mail lol).

One must remember that the original was a Comedy....it was never a life altering drama, it was never meant to be a realistic football movie....it was just meant to be a funny, feel good albeit lowbrow comedy movie.

Sometimes IMO people look to much into a movie for this or that when it is nothing more then a vehicle for a few good laughs and a means to waste some time being entertained.

I feel for some of those guys that review movies or books for a living, it must be a drag when you can not read a book or watch a movie without having to ruin the expericence because they have to over analyze everything and just lose the idea of enjoying a comedy.

Now like I said beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you didn't like it that is fine, everyone has different tastes....I just know I loved the movie for what it was...a good comedy with no special message and no aspirations to be a vehicle that would win awards for writings, acting or even trying to be a great realistic football movie.

Now....as for the new one, I will probably get it on DVD when it comes out as well....but I imagine it will be hard for it to live up to the original.

Also...I don't think anyone will really confuse Burt Reynolds with a great actors of our time...nor will they confuse many of his films as great pieces of our times.

That is just not in his cards and not the movies he was in. He is just a guy that people liked to watch in low brow comedy movies or action movies.

He was and will never be a DeNiro or Pacino in some of the great rolls and movies they have been in.

[Sportsbabe]

Originally Posted by TruBlueCowboy

you could tell he was really shy, didn't speak well,...

Thanks TruBlue and Woody'sGirl for the insight. I didn't know if the language barrier was part of the script. Interesting guy.

[streetcredit]

The Big Dude is Bob Sapp, he fights in UFC type events (punches, kicks , submission etc..). He was a former football player. He's big in Japan, when I was in Tokyo I saw his picture everywhere in ads for Panasonic (if I remember correctly). He kind of fights like George Foreman with heavy hands but has no stamina at all. He can fight for about 30 seconds. If you want a laugh.....download from a file sharing program his fight with Kimo. He almost gets knocked out. You can also download a clip where he's in the ring and he and Mike Tyson nearly go at it at the Bellagio in Vegas.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Originally Posted by lolli

I watched all three versions of this movie (Longest Yard 1974, Mean Machine 2001, and this one), and the 74 one was the best, you sympathize more with the characters in that movie, and it has less violence and no crude humor. But I thought the new one was worth my 10 bucks, only because I got to see Irvin in action. I got goosebumps watching him take his first catch in the movie (the one where jumps up and grabs the ball with one hand)

I am a huge boys fan, from India..came here some 4 years ago. Lived in Dallas for the last 4 years. Recently moved to Philly (can't tell you how much people hate us around here).

Anyway, the big guy is Indian..name is Dalip Singh. He was a weight lifter.

This is what IMDB has to say about him

"Dalip Singh

Height
7' 2" (2.18 m)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trivia
[View Full Quote]Singh is a 387 pound power lifter from India who has an extensive background in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Japanese grappling, martial arts - akido and judo - Greco Roman wrestling, western wrestling and the Indian martial art of kalari."

to the board.

I did not know there was a "mean machine" movie.