Plot
The big thing in 2005 is a violent sport which can have some pretty serious consequences... like dying.

Release Year: 2002

Rating: 2.8/10 (15,973 voted)

Critic's Score: 14/100

Director: John McTiernan

Stars: Chris Klein, Jean Reno, LL Cool J

Storyline
Johnathan Cross, a lover of extreme sports, is recruited by Alexi Petrovich to star in his sportive invention, Rollerball. Johnathan accepts and learns the ropes of Rollerball: The players are on Rollerblades, trying to bring a heavy metal ball into a high goal. Also, there are motorcyclists around to bring momentum to the players. Oh yes, and there are no rules in the game. During his skyrocketing career, Johnathan has to experience what Alexi has found out: Blood brings more viewing pleasure to the audience. So, Alexi starts to bribe members of the different teams to cause more trouble than necessary on the field, and the viewers love it. Only a little later, Johnathan's life is already in extreme danger as well as those of his friends and teammates. In a final game, Johnathan and his team have to fight for mere survival against their real opponent - their boss Alexi Petrovich.

Writers: William Harrison, William Harrison

Cast:
Chris Klein - Jonathan Cross
Jean Reno - Alexis Petrovich
LL Cool J - Marcus Ridley
Rebecca Romijn - Aurora (as Rebecca Romijn-Stamos)
Naveen Andrews - Sanjay
Oleg Taktarov - Denekin
David Hemblen - Serokin
Janet Wright - Coach Olga
Andrew Bryniarski - Halloran
Kata Dobó - Katya
Alice Poon - Red Team #7
Lucia Rijker - Red Team #9
Melissa R. Stubbs - Red Team #12 (as Melissa Stubbs)
Paul Wu - Red Team #16 - U Chow
Yolanda Hughes-Heying - Red Team #28

Taglines: Mezameyo tôsô honnô [Japan]

Official Website: MGM |

Release Date: 8 February 2002

Filming Locations: Blainville, Québec, Canada

Box Office Details

Budget: $70,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend: $9,013,548 (USA) (10 February 2002) (2762 Screens)

Gross: $25,852,764 (Worldwide) (2002)

Runtime: 98 min  | Germany: 95 min

Trivia:
LL Cool J admitted in a guest appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien that the film "sucked" but that it was his duty to promote the film.

Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: At the beginning of the first Rollerball match after Aurora mocks Jonathan, There is a cable attached to her motorcycle that is visible when she does a 180 burn out.

Quotes:
Alexis Petrovich: Ridley, my man. How are you?
Marcus Ridley: I feel like Freddy Krueger.

Garbageball!

Rating: 1/10

After knocking off 26 positive reviews I felt the need to slaughter a cinematic turkey of mammoth proportions. And this it. This movie will depress anyone who loves movies. I would hate to encounter anyone who likes this piece of sewage. There is nothing of value on screen: from the horrid acting of LL Cool J to the gratuitous street luge scene. If the director had an ounce of humor he would have used The Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird" here. But that would be asking too much. Instead, the film makers get together and trash a classic. When this happens someone must step in and play policeman and arrest the Hollywood perpetrators involved in this criminal mischief. You have the right to remain silent. Anything--Well, forget it. I believe the director lost his mind. The night vision scenes were visual poison. Puke green. Fuzzy. Shockingly enough, an entire reel or two of this utterly useless footage of a chase of some kind made it into the movie. I have this feeling the film was unintentionally overexposed. The Rollerball game cannot be followed by anybody sober. Loud. Noisy. What are the rules? There is not a scintilla of drama anywhere in this motion picture. Take this stinker out to the curb before it contaminates the rest of your dvd collection or damages your player. Wretched. Shame on all who were involved. And a pox on their homes, too.

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