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Newsies is a 1992 musical drama film directed by Kenny Ortega, and starring Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, and Robert Duvall. The film is based on the Newsboys' Strike of 1899 in New York City, and it follows a group of paperboys, the newsies, as they fight against the powerful publishers of the city. The movie is set in the late 1800s and begins with an introduction to the newspaper industry in New York City. The newspapers are very profitable, but the newsies who sell the papers on the streets barely make enough money to survive. The film focuses on the life of Jack "Cowboy" Kelly (Christian Bale), a charismatic and street-smart newsie who dreams of a better life. He leads a group of newsies, including his best friend David Jacobs (David Moscow), in a strike against the powerful publisher, Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall), and his newspaper, the New York World.

The film captures the struggle of the newsies as they organize their strike, facing opposition from the police who break up their union meetings and arrest the newsies. Despite the odds, they continue their protest, with the help of a young reporter named Bryan Denton (Bill Pullman), who gives them a platform to voice their grievances.

The newsies face numerous challenges as they fight for their rights, including the betrayal of one of their own, a fellow newsie named Racetrack Higgins (Max Casella), who takes a job offered by Pulitzer. They also contend with Pulitzer's corrupt henchmen, led by Warden Snyder (Michael Lerner), who are willing to resort to violence to stop the strike.

The film features several musical numbers that capture the spirit of the newsies and their fight for justice. The music is catchy and uplifting, with songs such as "Carrying the Banner," "Seize the Day," and "The World Will Know."

As the strike gains momentum, the newsies become a symbol of hope for the working-class people of the city, and their struggle becomes a rallying cry for social justice. The film culminates in a thrilling sequence as the newsies face off against Pulitzer and his forces, with the outcome of the strike in the balance.

Overall, Newsies is an engaging and inspiring film that explores themes of social justice, friendship, and the power of collective action. The impressive performances by the cast, particularly Christian Bale, bring the characters to life and make the viewer invested in their struggle. The music adds an extra layer of emotion and momentum to the story, making the film a must-see for fans of musicals and underdog stories alike.

In conclusion, Newsies is a classic film that still resonates with audiences today, almost 30 years after its release. Its message of standing up for what is right and fighting for justice is as relevant as ever, and its depiction of the power of solidarity and collective action is a powerful reminder of the importance of working together to make positive change.

Newsies is a 1992 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 46.