Angels in the Outfield (1994)

When a boy prays for a chance to have a family if the California Angels win the pennant, angels are assigned to make that possible.

Director:

William Dear

Writers:

Dorothy Kingsley, George Wells

Stars:

Danny Glover, Brenda Fricker, Tony Danza

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danny Glover	...	George Knox
Brenda Fricker	...	Maggie Nelson
Tony Danza	...	Mel Clark
Christopher Lloyd	...	Al the Boss Angel
Ben Johnson	...	Hank Murphy
Jay O. Sanders	...	Ranch Wilder
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Roger Bomman
Milton Davis Jr.	...	J.P.
Taylor Negron	...	David Montagne
Tony Longo	...	Triscuitt Messmer
Neal McDonough	...	Whitt Bass
Stoney Jackson	...	Ray Mitchell
Adrien Brody	...	Danny Hemmerling
Tim Conlon	...	Wally
Matthew McConaughey	...	Ben Williams

Storyline

Roger, who has lost his mother, is living separated from his father. As he and his friend J.P. are fans of the California Angels baseball team, he has got only two dreams: living together with a real family and seeing the Angels winning the Pennant.

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Plot Keywords:

angel | baseball | baseball movie | remake | friend | 

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Taglines:

Ya Gotta Believe!

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 July 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Angels

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$24,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$50,236,831

Company Credits

Production Co:

Caravan Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As of the 2018 season, the Angels are only one of two active Major League Baseball franchises never to lose 100+ games in a single regular season.

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Goofs

At the time of filming, Anaheim Stadium was completely enclosed (to accommodate the Los Angeles Rams, whom the stadium was also home to). Aerial stock shots taken at Anaheim show an enclosed stadium, but the rest of the movie depicts an open one.

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Quotes

[first lines]
JP: Roger, do you believe in heaven?
Roger Bomman: I guess. That's where they said my mom went.

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Connections

Referenced in Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch (2002)

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Soundtracks

Hippy Hippy Shake
Written by Chan Romero (as Robert L. Romero)
Performed by The Swinging Blue Jeans (as Swinging Blue Jeans)
Courtesy of EMI Records, USA, A Division of ERG
Under License from CEMA Special Markets

User Reviews

A Cliche with a Heart

Angels in the Outfield contains absolutely no unpredictable elements. The premise involves a young boy named Roger whose deadbeat father has all but abandoned him, saying that their being a family again is as unlikely as the last-place Angels winning the pennant. This prompts Roger to pray for the team and for a family. Suddenly, real angels jump in to help the inept team, and the coach of the Angels insists on Roger and his friend JP attending every home game.

I have now told you everything you need to know to figure out every plot turn in the movie. Yes, it is THAT predictable. Combine that with some unbearably goofy comedy, and you have what would appear to be a complete waste of 90 minutes.

But appearances aren't everything, and Angels ends up being more than the sum of its parts. While every part of the movie stays true to formula, the acting and directing never descend into mediocrity, and this infuses the film a with a sincere heart, a sense of joy that allows us to care for the characters even though we know exactly what's going to happen to them.

To be sure, there are many better films out there, and adults would almost certainly want to spend their time watching one with a bit more maturity. But for those looking for a movie they can enjoy along with their children, they will find Angels worth their time.