I’ve watched numerous biographical films centered on historical events from Hong Kong, China, Japan, and Korea, but my knowledge of Taiwanese history is limited. In fact, much of what I've learned about the world has come through watching movies like this one. It isn't focused on warfare or resistance movements; instead, it tells the true story of a struggling multi-racial baseball team that gained significant attention in 1931 after qualifying for a championship tournament. Baseball isn’t as universally popular as sports like football or cricket, although it has a strong following in certain countries. I've seen many baseball films, but I still don’t fully grasp the rules of the game. That hasn’t prevented me from enjoying the inspirational aspects, the players’ dedication to their sport, and the entertainment value. It may not be the finest baseball movie I’ve ever encountered, but it is certainly among the best. I hadn't heard of this film before, but once I discovered it, I was eager to watch it. The story unfolds during a period when Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule. The Kano high school baseball team, which had never secured a victory, welcomes a strict and disciplined coach from Japan. Their fortunes begin to change as Coach Kondo builds his players’ confidence through unconventional training methods, leading them to their first win. Subsequently, the team travels to Japan to represent the island in a major tournament, culminating in a narrative that reveals how they won over fans in an unfamiliar land with consistent performances, despite being considered underdogs. > "Don't think about winning. Think about not losing. > Then you will have all the strength you need." It’s an inspiring film dealing with self-assurance and hard work, but I also experienced some disappointments. In several instances, the overly sentimental filmmaking felt unrealistic, making it seem like a commercial production—the clenched fists, bared teeth, intense stares; those kinds of things create unnecessary dramatic tension for the audience. Perhaps viewers from Taiwan might feel a sense of national pride, but otherwise, I appreciated the beautiful musical score, pleasing cinematography, scenic countryside locations, and solid performances by the cast, as well as the capable direction, resulting in an overall satisfying experience. Given that the film is set in a historical period, some visual recreations were necessary to portray past eras accurately; however, this was a weakness. Fortunately, these shortcomings were largely confined to background elements and didn’t detract significantly from the viewing experience. I believe 180 minutes is too long for films nowadays. It's an accomplishment if you can maintain your focus throughout. We are more willing to sit through longer commercial movies because they prioritize entertainment, but this film aimed to depict a true story, which isn’t ideal for a sports movie—particularly regarding the third act and the ending. Learning about history through film is beneficial, often better than traditional schooling; however, issues arise when a film fails to meet audience expectations. People react differently to what a movie presents, so it's crucial to remain grounded in historical accuracy. If the filmmakers had avoided some of those cinematic flourishes, I would have considered it an unexpected gem. I appreciate this film for being both a movie and a historical account, but I wished it had been more straightforward in its presentation. As a movie enthusiast, I certainly recommend it, but ultimately, I leave the decision to you. The ending might disappoint some viewers who invested three hours of their time. 7/10

Source on TMDB