42 (2013) is a sports biopic recounting the life of Jackie Robinson, the first Black athlete to play in Major League Baseball during the modern era. A compelling story about Robinson’s battle with racism and adversity, 42 is a solid and respectable film that explores a crucial step in American history. With messages that hold up a decade later, the film leaves the audience with a feeling of impact and weight that perfectly encapsulates the time period. The acting is phenomenal, with the late-great Chadwick Boseman giving an Oscar-worthy portrayal of Jackie Robinson alongside Harrison Ford as the courageous manager, Branch Ricky. The only knockback for me is that it doesn’t feel fully fleshed out. It feels similar to a TV series, which could be a positive or negative depending on the person. Overall, a great cinematic experience that I highly recommend.

I give it a light 8/10.