Everyone's Hero

Since there’s little in the way of kiddie fare now in theaters, this computer-animated film by 20th Century Fox can fill that void. However, thanks to a convoluted screenplay and a lack of focus, that’s all the final project from Christopher and Dana Reeve can do: fill space. Before the 1932 World Series, a crooked Chicago Cubs pitcher steals rival Babe Ruth’s beloved baseball bat, Darlin’, in an attempt to jinx the slugger. A pint-sized Yankees fan witnesses this crime and sets off with Screwie, a talking baseball, to retrieve the stolen sports equipment. The initial premise sounds good on paper: A young self-confident boy plays hero and saves the day. However, putting a talking baseball into the United States, with a background filled with racism and hardships, makes this flick strike out.