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Amazon.co.uk Review
Any Given Sunday, Oliver Stone's salute-cum-exposé of pro football, belabors some pretty obvious points for nigh onto three hours; but between the frenetic editing, the pounding rap-music beats, and several flashy performances, it's certainly never dull. Al Pacino, coach of the fictional Miami Sharks (the NFL declined involvement in this production), struggles with the most time-honored of sports movie dilemmas: what to do with the old friend who's past his prime and the young hotshot who could save the franchise but first has to learn what being a team player is all about. Comedian Jamie Foxx does a marvelous dramatic turn as the rookie quarterback whose ego and talent are equally impressive, while Pacino seems more at ease in Oliver Stone Land than any actor since regular James Woods (on hand as well as a sleazy team doctor). Prowling the sidelines, shouting spittle-flecked orders, seizing up in almost physical pain when a play goes the wrong way, Pacino is as unashamedly--and entertainingly--hyperbolic as Stone's whirling montages of boiling storm clouds, bloodthirsty fans, and players smashed into the mud. (Once again football, perhaps the most sophisticated of team sports, is viewed cinematically as a bunch of guys hitting each other in slow motion.) Unfortunately, all the self-conscious mythologising and pumped-up macho posturing that Stone can muster doesn't conceal a clichéd, slapped-together script, whose few good ideas (mostly about race in America) jostle about with several hoary, terrible ones, including a too-literal analogy of football players as modern gladiators. All in all, Any Given Sunday is never dull, but never very enjoyable, either. --Bruce Reid
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Any Given Sunday is a great piece of film making, if slightly tarred by an overly polished Hollywood format. What I mean is, it has all of the [Oliver] Stone ingredients we've come to expect; various video formats, a seemingly incongruous mix of camera angles and close-ups and some amazing performances, but minus the imperfections. So what you say, well sometimes it's those little accidental nuances that turn a good movie into an amazing one. AGS is a piece of highly professional, polished movie making - but at the end of the day it's just a good movie, not an amazing one.
The performances are just fantastic, Pacino whilst not as intense as in say "Heat" really drives the movie and doesn't for a second let you question whether he's a football coach. You just BELIEVE it, when he's shouting you think it's at you. James Woods is typically side-lined, no pun intended, but what time he is on screen he's James Woods through and through. Why this guy is never given bigger parts I'll never know. Cameron Diaz' is one of the most surprising characters. When Charlton Heston says "I actually believe this woman would eat her young" (line of the movie right there) you totally empathise. She's ruthless, self-opinionated and such a b***h. But it's no facade, she really throws herself into the part and the results are great.
The actual film itself is an amazing piece of work. It's like some sort of drug; it's cocktail of visual and audio mixing is so intense, so in your face you soon get totally sucked in. The on-field football action is incredible, when the tackles come in you find yourself tensing your whole body waiting for the impact. Then you're treated to the players perspective as the stadium swims around them, the crowds die away and you're left for a few seconds to recover before you're hit with the next instalment. You really start to root for the sharks by the end as they go from average schmoes, to washed-up has-beens to a team in the play-offs. And whilst yes this is a fairly predictable journey it's not entirely predictable.
I'm not so sure the parallels between 'gladiators of the field' and Spartacus really pay-off, in some ways you feel a little spoon-fed - because just watching the action you really feel the players are warriors, willing to sacrifice absolutely everything to play the game they're good at.
I've never been a massive fan of American sports, or even American 'Football' but what drew me to the movie is the acting and directing talent and I wasn't disappointed. After I'd bought the movie I mentioned it to a friend who told me it was his 'favourite sports movie of all time'. I can't really think of that many sports movies worth watching, but sport aside if you want some high quality entertainment and a feast for the senses this movie will not disappoint. Strap yourself in and enjoy every intoxicating minute.
The quality of the movie on DVD is also awesome, not a single imperfection could I spot. The audio also nicely fires round the room, it makes me wish I'd seen it at the cinema... it represents outstanding value for money, especially as it has a second disc entirely dedicated to extras you can watch on any given rainy Sunday. A great movie, and great value.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is easily one of the best sports films you will ever see. It has a great cast(Jamie Foxx and Al Pacino to new but a few) great set pieces( especially the big game) and a pretty brutal potrayal of American Football players. Al Pacino is simply great as Tony Damato and without doubt his "Inch by Inch" speech is one of the greatest in film. It always inspires you no matter how many times you hear it. Even the supposedly minor characters such as LL Cool J have enough time to make an impression. If you watch this i would recommend watching Friday Night Lights which shows the sport at a lower level.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Another superb film by Oliver Stone. This film makes you feel, as if you are on the field and playing football. Wonderful cast, Al Pacino is cracking as always. Brilliant soundtrack and lots of extras. DO NOT MISS!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Oliver Stone is sooo the best directer EVER !!
Hey sports fans !! I love the inspirational speech in this and the whole film has a Rocky type under dog theme going for it !! Read more
Published 9 days ago by davidinator
great film
for any nfl fan any given Sunday is a great film, also it has one of the greatest ever half time speeches!!
Published 3 months ago by kitkatprag
Awesome
It does not matter whether or not you like American Football. In fact this could be just about any sport. Its not relevant. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Kernetta
Abysmal audio again.
What it is with these blurays where you have to whack the sound up (either on a t.v or a speaker) to 100 just to hear the poxy things....It's a joke.Utterly ridiculous... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Thylasin
All about the inches!
What can I say about this movie. "it's all about the inches". You will understand when see this. Great movie, great cast. One of the best American football movies you will see. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Bigjbird
My one star's worth.
This obviously would suit fans of American football but I found it so boring that I abandoned watching it after about 45 minutes into the DVD.
Published 14 months ago by Robert Park
THE American Football movie.
The greatest American Football movie ever made. Pacino is an animal, Foxx is fantastic, and LL hamms it up. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. M. D. Sullivan-lozano
Cracking movie worthy of the BD upgrade
Please don't fall into the trap of thinking that knowing American Football is a requirement for watching 'Any given sunday'. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2009 by The usual suspect
inch by inch
Al Pacino's inspirational speech is a lesson to be learned. If you haven't seen this movie then it's about time.
Published on 23 Sep 2009 by Fabio Godinho
a lover for sports fans
al pacino is awsome as always, great cast, superb direction, great attention to detail. Like the idea of using actuel players as part of the cast. Read more
Published on 30 July 2009 by M. Fraser
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