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'Invincible' succumbs to tiresome sports clichés

Meant as an inspirational sports movie about Vince Papale, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the mid-'70s, "Invincible" is riddled with feel-good platitudes. Mark Wahlberg and Greg Kinnear acquit themselves well as Papale and coach Dick Vermeil, but that's about it.

Buena Vista Pictures 'Invincible' D+ The verdict: As inspirational football movies go, I'd rather remember the Titans. Director: Ericson Core Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks, Kirk Acevedo, Lola Glaudini Run time: 108 minutes Release date: August 25, 2006 Rating: PG for sports action and some mild language. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Invincible'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

When we meet Vince, he's got a dead-end life, like so many other working stiffs in the Rust Belt. Pretty much jobless, certainly wifeless (she's taken off?) and almost penniless, he spends most of his time at a local bar in South Philly, where he and his buddies glean what little joy they have from rooting for the Eagles. And even that's not exactly joy; the Eagles have been on a losing streak for some time.

Vermeil, the team's new coach, is ready to try anything. He announces a come-one-come-all open tryout, and Vince, even though he's 30, miraculously makes the cut. But making the cut doesn't mean he'll make the team.

When someone isn't playing football on-screen, which is rarely, the movie goes back to the old neighborhood to see how Vince's pals deal with his success. Or to the locker room, where he struggles to be accepted by his teammates.

Any movie that resorts to slo-mo sports action in the first 15 minutes (as this one does) has a problem. So does one filled with overacting featured/bit players who seem convinced "Invincible" is their ticket to the big time. You can almost hear one of them telling a casting director, "Yeah, I was the fat guy at the tryout who fell down real funny in 'Invincible.'"

If you want to see a really good movie about an aging athlete who realizes his dream, try "The Rookie" (which, ironically, shares producers with this film). If you want to see a really good movie about the little-guy-who-could, try "Rudy." If you want to see a really good inspirational movie about football, try "Remember the Titans." But if you want to see a movie about bad '70s hair and tiresome sports-movie clichés, "Invincible" is all yours.

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