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It is 1995 and Stan Ross, superstar first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers, has just gotten his 3,000th hit, an achievement that guarantees the adulation of fans and players. However, Ross is a world-class jerk who, throughout the years, has alienated the press and his teammates. In fact, right after getting his historic hit, with the Brewers in the middle of a pennant chase, he retires to start a chain of Mr. 3000 stores. Seven years later, on the eve of his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Ross learns that a statistical error has left him three hits shy of 3,000. So, craving Cooperstown enshrinement, he returns to the Brewers at the age of 47 to try to get those final three hits.

Unfortunately for Stan, in the 21st-century Brewers clubhouse athletes do Pilates and play baseball videogames. In a grand old game, Ross is a grand old man. Also, he must contend with superstar super- slugger T-Rex Pennebaker (ex-New England Patriot Brian White). Further complicating matters is Mo (Angela Bassett), Ross's ex and a reporter for ESPN. In what will be a surprise to no one, the self-centered slugger will become a team player while struggling to win Mo back and get those magic three hits. At least the lessons are pillowed with light humor and Mac's smooth presence.

Mr. 3000 has moments; in a youth-centric cinema environment, it's nice to see Mac and Bassett, two forty-somethings, the center of a comedy. Director Charles Stone III (Drumline) does well in the baseball scenes, with shot composition and crane moves that are unique for baseball movies. Off the field, he gives us one great shot; at a low point, Stan sits at home watching the hosts of Fox Sports' "Best Damn Sports Show Period" rip him apart. Then, using cinematic sleight-of- hand, the hosts appear on his couch, literally getting into his head.

On the minus side, Stone can't conquer the easiest part of his job: making the baseball scenes thrilling. A player going for his 3,000th hit in his final at-bat should have made the hairs on our necks stand at attention. But he just can't convey the proper level of excitement, and the undistinguished score by John Powell doesn't help. And worse, the same exact play with the same exact outcome was the climax of another baseball movie.

The supporting actors all orbit Bernie Mac's rising star quite ably. But the problem is, at this moment, Mac's star is too small. Films like last year's Bad Santa and 2001's Ocean's Eleven fit his persona better. Here, he's been handed a part that only marginally plays to his strengths and he's not ready to topline a film that hinges on sentiment and a hard-earned change of heart. It just isn't in Mac's wheelhouse...yet. Despite that, he's still a kick to watch--a breezy and welcome presence in a film that would be nothing without him. If Mr. 3000 fails to herald Mac's arrival as a leading man, it does confirm that, in his quest for cinema stardom, he's rounding third and heading for home.

The Video: How Does The Disc Look?

The film's theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85 is presented in anamorphic video. The result is extremely colorful and pleasing. Between the black and white of the commercials and the vibrant colors of the uniforms, the palette here is quite wide. And it's all rendered beautifully, with full saturation. Detail is excellent in close-ups, but can show insignificant softness in longer shots. Black levels are thick and solid and shadow detail is top- shelf. Flesh tones are generally fine, but some foreheads look a bit hot in close-ups. In fact, this brings up the only flaw of the transfer: a slightly processed look in certain sequences. Presumably working from a pristine print, there is nary a speck to speak of. Edge halos and mosquito noise were undetectable to my eye. Pretty pictures from Buena Vista Home Video.

The Audio: How Does The Disc Sound?

There are two 5.1 tracks on this DVD, one in Dolby Digital and the other in DTS. While the DTS gets the overall nod, the difference between the two is not particularly noteworthy. Dynamic range is admirably wide. Both mixes take full advantage of the stadium atmosphere to create some above-average envelopment. Dialogue is mostly center-channeled, with the occasional line coming in from the sides. Sound effects, including bat-on-ball sounds and the whooshing of runners and baseballs, are good without showing off. The score, which runs the gamut from orchestral to jazzy and bass driven, is crystal clear. The surrounds come into play for crowd noise and other obvious sports movie moments. Otherwise, it either stays quiet or delivers light ambiance.

There is also a French Dolby 5.1, because you know how much the French love baseball and Canada only has one team. Subtitles are available in English, French and Spanish.

Supplements: What Goodies Are There?

A breezy film needs a breezy set of supplements, and that's what Buena Vistas has provided.

The Making of Mr. 3000 is a 15-minute featurette on the, um, making of Mr. 3000. According to producer Maggie White, Denzel Washington had seriously considered the role, but it needed too much of a comedic sensibility. According to Angela Bassett, Washington laughed heartily in agreement when she told him Bernie Mac got the part. The featurette takes you from casting to baseball boot camp to principle photography. There's also a section on how director Charles Stone III used real ESPN and Fox Sports personalities to give the film some legitimacy. It's not bad for a Making-Of piece, if only because baseball fans love seeing baseball footage. There's lots of behind- the-scene material and it all looks great.

Spring Training: The Extras' Journey shows us how the baseball extras were cast. Hundreds of athletes showed up for auditions, many having just been released by major league teams. As the tryouts continue, the casting director keeps us apprised of whom they've got their eyes on. Finally, we see who was chosen and what they look like in the finished film. The full-screen picture and all the behind-the- scenes footage look terrif.

The three-minute Everybody Loves Stan Ross treats the character as if he really exists. Former major leaguers Gary Carter and Ozzie Smith and sportscasters Tom Arnold and Tony Kornheiser weigh in on what a jerk Ross was during his playing years. "He's not a team guy at all," says Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg. "I don't think it's going to work." Much like this throwaway supplement.

In the film, the Stan Ross saga is covered extensively by the major media and in Extended Sequence, we see the complete version of some of these scenes. The ESPN Sportscenter portion looks absolutely like a real Sportscenter. The copy sounds authentic as does host Stuart Scott. It even includes the news scroll at the bottom of the screen. After a Mr. 3000 Mini-Mall Commercial, we see Stan's appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Jay's intro sounds just like a normal Tonight Show intro. Stan walks out, guest Carman Electra slides over and a real interview begins. Of course, the interview is about as funny and interesting as a real Tonight Show interview, but that's another story.

Next are three non-noteworthy Deleted Scenes. They can be watched with or without director's commentary. Most interesting to DVD lovers of a certain age is the EA Sports commercial starring T-Rex Pennebaker, Ross' homerun slugging teammate. All the scenes are full-frame, but look above average.

There are three minutes of outtakes, which should have been funnier, considering most of them involve Bernie Mac. All the scenes are full-frame and look good. However, the background music is a smidge too loud, which makes the production audio occasionally hard to understand.

Finally, there is an audio commentary by director Charles Stone III. After a verbal disclaimer that his opinions are not the opinions of the studio (what lawyer asked him to say that?), Stone explains some of his decision-making. He even explains some of the African-American slang and its double meaning in the context of the movie. He discusses the problems inherent in shooting in stadiums with 10,000 extras and the relationship between him and Bernie Mac. Stone is conversational and seems to be enjoying himself. Even if the information disseminated is not all that interesting, it's a nice commentary.

Exclusive DVD-ROM Features: What happens when you pop the disc into your PC?

There are no DVD-ROM features on this DVD.

Final Thoughts