Henry & Me

Gr 1–4—A mysterious stranger, along with past and present Yankee greats, encourages a cancer-stricken boy in this animated film. Jack collapses following a game of catch with his dad, and the next scene finds him lying in a hospital bed as his doctor warns his parents that Jack must not give up. A perky nurse serenades him with "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" as she wheels him to surgery. Then a mysterious stranger named Henry appears, and with a twist of his Yankees lapel pin, he whisks Jack off and, thanks to "Yankee magic," takes him on a subway ride to Yankee Stadium, where the kid meets some of the greatest baseball players of all time. Babe Ruth offers batting tips, Lefty Gomez shares pitching insight, and, guided by catcher Thurman Munson, Jack strikes out none other than Mickey Mantle. Later, Jack shares his newfound wisdom with Hideki Matsui. The players provide sports tips and platitudes leavened by humorous quips from Gomez and Yogi Berra. The cartoon animation is serviceable, if a little stiff at times, with the visuals and vocal performances (by the likes of Richard Gere, Chazz Palminteri, and Cyndi Lauper) not always in sync. Henry's true identity is unsurprising and yet gratifying and appropriate to this sentimental baseball fantasy.