Rated PG for some mild thematic elements.
Directed by Andy Fickman (She’s the Man)
Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Madison Pettis, Kyra Sedgwick, Morris Chestnut
The Game Plan is probably my favorite family film of 2007. It was especially fun for me because I saw the screening on one of my daddy/daughter dates with my 10 year old. We laughed hysterically throughout… and even cried for a moment or two. The film has a great balance of humor and heart.
My daughter and I both agreed, “This film will definitely be one that we buy and watch over and over again.”
NFL star quarterback Joe Kingman was set: status, money, and raw talent. His lifestyle was straight out of GQ magazine: a sports car with a price tag larger than my house and a luxury apartment with all the modern amenities a bachelor desires. But football was Joe’s true love. According to Joe, “Beyond the field, nothing else matters.” And his mind was set on grabbing the next championship.
That was his game plan—what could go wrong?
Enter seven-year-old Peyton stage left.
Joe discovers that he has a seven-year-old daughter from a previous relationship (a premise that is probably the only thing that gave this film a PG rating, hence the MPAA’s wording “mild thematic elements.” Because the film has almost no objectionable material. I was actually surprised that it wasn’t rated G). Peyton moves in with him, and Joe’s “game plan” begins to unravel.
The film delivers numerous side splitting moments. Many of you have seen a few of these scenes in the previews, including the moment where Joe eats cinnamon just before doing a TV commercial, and in an allergic reaction, talks with the clarity of Sylvester the cat.
Apart from the hilarious ballet scenes, dog scenes, and kitchen catastrophe scenes, the film asks the question: What is the best thing that’s ever happened to you? Joe wrestles with that question throughout the film, only to discover the answer when it’s almost too late.
Don’t miss this one. Bring your date, bring your kids, bring your boss… it doesn’t matter. This is one of those films that kids and adults will love just the same. Catch it in the theatre! You won’t regret it.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The film should have been rated G. I would bring an Amish 5 year old to this film. The only thing that some might object to is a ballet uniform that Roselyn Sanchez (ex Maxim model… enough said) wears that leaves little to the imagination. Although, having attended a few ballets in my life… I find that usually to be the case.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
