Derek Jeter: ESPN Inside Access. Out tomorrow. (********8/10)
Monday, September 1st, 2008ESPN Inside Access DVDs are incredible. ESPN takes absolutely every bit of footage they can find of a sports star and crams it all onto one DVD. In this case, that star is Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees. SportsCentury shows, interviews, highlight reels, Chris Meyers. It’s all here on yet another amazingly complete package. So complete that there are some obscure items that no one but the Derek Jeter rabid fanatics of the world would ever want to see. Jeter cross-dressing on the set of Saturday Night Live. Jeter being interviewed by Freddie Prinze Jr. Highlights from the Triple A all-star game the year before he was called up to the major leagues. And a feature on the “World’s Sexiest Athlete”.
All in all, this is as complete a collection as you will ever find on an athlete, and Derek Jeter is certainly deserving. His best highlights are truly unbelievable, his best plays seem to be reserved for the biggest stages - Championship Series, World Series, this is where he shines brightest. But in the end, it’s not as exciting as it should be. And that’s because Derek Jeter, the athlete, is sensational. Derek Jeter, the person, is boring. He’s the stereotypical, “one game at a time”, “110 percent” quote machine. His interviews are boring. His quotes are boring. The interviews with his teammates and coaches hint at the possibility that there is more to him. He flips out on teammates when they need to be called out. He is an aggressive team leader and a passionate personality. Behind closed doors. But we sure don’t get to see that.
A great DVD jammed with information, this is an exciting look at an amazing baseball player. But that’s about it. And after more than two hours of various features showing just how boring Derek Jeter really is in public, I was really hoping that ESPN comes out with something more interesting soon. Like David Ortiz. Or Barry Bonds. Or - especially - Manny Ramirez. THAT guy is entertaining! Derek Jeter: Inside Access comes out tomorrow, from Alliance Films.