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List Price: $14.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 6571
Released: April 15, 2008 |
| Our Price: $4.90 |
| Used Price: $1.71 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
From the director of The Sandlot comes the true story of an underdog coach and the team that must defend their legacy against insurmountable odds. In the small town of Norway, Iowa, the high school baseball team, led by legendary Coach Jim Van Scoyoc (Powers Boothe, TV's Deadwood), has won 19 State Championships. But the small town heroes are dealt a series of unexpected blows that threaten to rob them of their 20th championship win. When talk of a school merger gets serious and Coach Scoyoc is fired, then replaced by his 24-year-old assistant, Kent Stock (Sean Astin, Rudy and The Lord of the Rings trilogy), failure seems inevitable. Tom Arnold, Rachael Leigh Cook and Michael Angarano join an excellent ensemble cast in this inspirational family gem.
Description of The Final Season:
Touching and inspirational, The Final Season, based on a true story, is one of those baseball movies in which the game is synonymous with life itself—if not actually bigger than life itself. Sean Astin (star of one of the most beloved sports films, Rudy) is solid and likeable as Kent Stock, an assistant baseball coach at Norway High School in an Iowa farming community. Working under local legend Jim Van Scoyoc (Powers Boothe in a particularly golden performance), who led Norway to 19 straight state championships, Stock is happy to lend a temporary hand. But he finds his destiny altered when Van Scoyoc is pushed aside by a school board determined to close Norway High and stifle dissent by undercutting the team’s chances of a 20th victory. On the wrongheaded assumption that Stock can’t motivate kids, the coaching job is offered to him, and he takes to it immediately in his low-key way. Despite early struggles, Stock inspires his players to think about what’s important in Norway’s last shot at greatness: How do they want to be remembered?
Directed by David Mickey Evans (The Sandlot), The Final Season is thick with love for baseball, from extensive scenes of practice sessions to lyrical patches of dialogue about the way the characters of men are reflected in how they perform on the field. A Copland-esque music score reminds one that The Final Season is a piece of American folklore, and a strong support cast including Tom Arnold as one of Van Scoyoc’s former players, Michael Angarano as a troubled rebel, and Rachel Leigh Cook as Stock’s love interest make this film a pleasure even for non-sports-loving fans. --Tom Keogh
The Final Season Reviews:
Must See if you are a Sports Fan or from Iowa 
2009-11-06 - I absolutly LOVE this film! It is a great story for everyone to know, especially if you hail from Iowa like myself. Plus there are many actors and others in the film who are from Iowa! The baseball scenes are amazing! The group of guys they had come in really know what they are doing and it comes across in the film. It is just an all around great movie for young and old.
Great family movie and true story besides
2009-11-05 - I've ordered this movie for Christmas gifts to grandchildren, but I know their parents will enjoy it as well and appreciate the story
that is so well told.
The Final Season
2009-08-25 - The Final Season is a great movie; a must see for anyone who enjoys youth sports and inspirational stories. Small town America should be really proud as this movie is set in the smallest of towns but a large town in spirit and character. A family friendly movie for persons of all ages.
Final Season deals with real issues
2009-08-10 - "The Final Season" is a great family film. It would be good fodder for a group discussion of the behavior of people in small towns, about small-town politics, abut family dynamics and about what you can learn if you're willing to truly listen to someone who disagrees with you. And it's all based on a true story. Not an Academy Award nominee, but a worthwhile film. Gives you things to think and talk about.
THE FINAL SEASON - real baseball
2009-07-11 - Sean Astin turns in a fine perfomance as the unlikely coach of the Norway High School baseball team. It is Norway's final season as the school is being consolidated. Norway over the years boasted many Iowa State championships and in their final season find themselves in another race for the title. Powers Boothe plays the old coach who is highly respected in the town as a great coach. The scenery of rural Iowa is a big part of the film and the beauty of the area comes through nicely.
The baseball action both during practice, warmups and on the field is really excellent and well executed. If you like baseball, Sean Astin and Powers Boothe this is a must see.
