Luckily, he knows talent when he sees it and ends up signing bodyguards, strippers, crooks and cops alike to beat the picket line.

For the League, the situation is a disaster, but for All-American Shane Falco (Reeves), once a hot prospect on the football field, it's a second chance at sports stardom.

He joins a mismatched crew of outsiders, including Welsh kicker Nigel 'The Leg' Gruff (Ifans) and defensive blocker Clifford Franklin (Jones) - an ex special forces who's one rifle short of a gun-rack, in search of Super Bowl glory.

Despite the premise, this isn't just another American Football movie; it's an astonishingly funny film about fitting in, finding love and finding oneself.

The fact that is has excellent sports action comes as a bonus and it's for this reason that it could be described as Any Given Sunday with jokes.

The main strength of this movie, however, lies in the characterisation and you'll find yourself laughing at as well as caring about every character in the film.

In the same vein as Major League, this feel good movie is actually much better and even contains an appearance from football legend John Madden.

If you want drama and suspense - watch The Green Mile; if it's effortless comedy you're after - watch the replacements and it'll leave you with a huge grin on your face.

Dominic Bloch