'The Longest Yard'

'The Longest Yard' (R) (74) ****

Writer: Tracy Keenan Wynn
Director: Robert Aldrich
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Richard Kiel, Eddie Albert, Ed Lauter, Mike Conrad, Bernadette Peters

'The Longest Yard' is the ideal movie to catch and revisit on the opening day of the 2009 pro football season. This is the original classic and not the limp Adam Sandler remake where the pro wrestlers gave the best performances. This is the movie that propelled Burt Reynolds into super stardom in the 70's. It is easily the best movie about football because most football movies are lame but still a classic comedy that everyone can quote from. It is also one of the best prison movies I have seen. Burt Reynolds had the command and sex appeal to give everyone somebody to root for even though he was a prisoner. It has two of the best villains ever in a movie in Eddie Albert and Ed Lauter. You laugh, you hate the bad guys, you get to see some hilarious and well done football scenes and some classic laughs. The last scene is brilliant with a wonderful use of slow motion by legendary director Aldrich. This and 'Slapshot' are probably the best sports movies and comedy classics of the 70's. Everyone knows and loves it, everyone remembers scenes fondly and it is always mentioned as one of Reynold's best. It deserves it's reputation and is a perfect movie to watch to get you in the mood for great movies and football. Hollywood hasn't made a perfect sports comedy like this in a long time! 'The Longest Yard' is currently on DVD. Skip the *1/2 star remake.