Sports

Sports movie reviews

The Last Dance-Kids Review

Michael Jordan is known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The Last Dance is a documentary series that focuses on the iconic NBA player’s career and what led to his retirement after the 1997–1998 NBA season. Basketball fans of all ages will enjoy the 10-part miniseries.

Rating: 4 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: April 19, 2020
Rating: TV-14
Best Age Group: 11+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Mild

A few conversations about dating.
A reference was made about a players sexuality.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

There’s discussion regarding Dennis Rodman’s gun possession and suicide attempt.
Injuries of players.
Conversations about illegal gambling.
There’s some footage of players pushing and shoving on the court.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “hell,” “bulls–t,” and the f-word is bleeped.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

We see character’s drinking champagne, beer and hard liquor.
A reference was made to cocaine use.
Cigar smoking.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall, this is an entertaining family show for basketball fans of all ages.

Space Jam-Kids’ Movie Review

I’m going to play for North Carolina, then I’m going to play in the NBA, then pro baseball. ” That’s what young Michael Jordan says as he’s shooting baskets with his father. After seeing young Mike, the film flash forwards to adult Michael Jordan in his baseball career. We also see a parallel story in an alternate cartoon universe where the beloved Looney Tune cartoon characters desperately need Michael Jordan as they must defeat a group of aliens who are trying to capture them as attractions in their outer space theme park. So Bugs, Porky and Tweety recruit the superstar of basketball to save the day! Space Jam is a live action/animated sports movie which will appeal to young viewers.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: November 15, 1996
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 6+
Sexual Content: None
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: None
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

Slapstick cartoon violence; explosions and shootings.
Scary cartoon aliens….”the mean team.”

Crude or Profane Language: None
Drug and Alcohol Content: None
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a fun movie for kids ages 6 and up.

Greater-Kids Movie Review

Brandon Burlsworth (Chris Severio) is an overweight and awkward 12 year old boy. He loves to sit on the couch with some good snacks and watch TV. Having said that, he has big dreams, a strong faith and dedication to fulfilling his main goal in life…to play football for University of Arkansas! Brandon was raised by a loving single mom, he’s estranged from his alcoholic father and very close to his older brother Marty. With his strong work ethic and dedication he fulfills his goal of becoming a Razorback. Based on a true story, Greater is an inspirational sports drama about one of the most successful “walk-on” players in college football history.

Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 20, 2016
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

This film could spark some great parent/ child conversations regarding faith, courage, and hard work.

Sexual Content: Mild

A couple of scenes show players in their underwear.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

Hard hitting during football practice and games.
Mature subject matter of death.

Crude or Profane Language: Mild

We hear “ass,” “s–t,” and name calling such as: “fatty, “cheesecake,” and “fat boy.”

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

Brandon’s dad is a chronic alcoholic.
Characters smoke cigarettes.
Brandon doesn’t drink alcohol due to his father’s disease. However, in one scene his teammates trick him into drinking two strawberry daiquiris with alcohol.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is a wonderful sports drama, parents need to be aware of the mature subject matter of death.

Miracle-Kids’ Movie Review

“USA”, “USA”, “USA”….we hear the crowd chanting “USA,” with pure joy and delight as they beat the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. Miracle is based on a true story about a group of amateur hockey players led by Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell), a very intense, drill- sergeant type of coach. The film highlights the teams path to victory, not only with hockey but with the life lessons that their coach instills in them. Brooks stresses teamwork and chemistry over talent. These amazing young men became one of the last group of amateurs sent by the United States to play ice hockey. It’s known as the “Miracle of Ice.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: February 6, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 8+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Miracle highlights the importance of perseverance, dedication and teamwork.
The film could spark some great parent/child conversations during a trying time in history. The intro of the shows TV clips about Watergate, Vietnam War, and the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Sexual Content: Mild

During a game the players on the bench check out girls at the Olympics.
When two players get in a fight, Coach Brooks describes them as “a couple of monkeys trying to hump a football.”

Violent/Disturbing Content: Mild

There is a lot of hockey violence as players slash, trip and knock each other onto the ice.
Two players get into a fight on the ice.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “crap,” “ass,” “bastards,” and “hell numerous times throughout the film..

Drug and Alcohol Content: Moderate

We see hockey players drinking beer in a bar and at a team Christmas party.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall, Miracle is a wonderful sports drama. Depending on the child this is appropriate for kids ages 8 and up.

Creed 2-Kids’ Movie Review

Another boxing movie…more drama, more sweat, and more tears, but that’s okay. Creed II is all about working hard with a fierce desire to win!! Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) is a newly crowned heavy weight champion. He’s engaged to his beautiful and supportive girlfriend, and they’re expecting a baby. Adonis’ life gets complicated when Viktor Drago challenges him to fight. Viktor’s father was the man who killed Adonis’ father while fighting in the ring. Now Adonis, and mentor Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), train extremely hard with hopes to defeat their hostile rival. Creed II is the sequel to the 2015 movie- Creed, and is the eighth boxing drama in the Rocky series.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 popcorn buckets
Release Date: March 5, 2019
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 13+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes

Talking Points:

Sexual Content: Moderate

We see a couple passionately kissing on a hotel bed.

Violent/Disturbing Content: Moderate

There is violence relating to boxing. There are some very intense fighting scenes. We see character’s bruised and wounded.
Adonis trains at a desert camp. We seem him training with a big guy who continually punches him in the gut. In another scene Adonis collapses from exhaustion.

Crude or Profane Language: Moderate

We hear “sh-t,” “b–ch,” “d–n, and “h—,” throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild

Character’s are shown drinking at a dinner party.

Will Kids Like It? Yes

Overall this is an entertaining sports drama. Rocky and Creed fans will most likely enjoy the film. Appropriate for kids ages 13 and up.