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The Game Plan

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    The Rock scores in cute (if predictable) comedy.

updated 10.15.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 6 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Peyton runs away from home and lies to Karen and Joe. Stella schemes to use Peyton for publicity. Joe forgets Peyton in a club. Joe is initially selfish but eventually learns to share and think of others first -- a great lesson for kids.
  • Violence & scariness :

    Lots of football-related roughness, including sacks, tackles, and close-up shots of Joe being taken down. Joe breaks a rib and hurts his shoulder. Joe slaps another player and accidentally bumps into dancers, knocking them down and dropping others.
  • Sexy stuff :

    Stella kisses a man when her team wins. Joe spends many scenes shirtless and lifting weights.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Lots of brands and products are visible or mentioned in the film, including Chanel, ESPN, Cold Stone Creamery, Jell-O, iPods, the Bedazzler, BlackBerry, Dunkin Donuts, Nike, Dasani water, a Sidekick cell phone, and Cingular wireless. And, of course, shots of the Disney Channel and popular Disney shows like Hannah Montana are featured.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults drink at a party, but they don't appear drunk. Peyton shows she knows what a margarita is.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Game Plan

Parents need to know that this cute family comedy features football violence and pratfalls. Lots of people, including young girls, fall and only get minor injuries, and a parent's death is addressed. Peyton runs away to find her father and ends up in some very mildly perilous situations (being left alone at a club, etc.). It's worth noting that although the film makes fun of the insane commercialism of football, it also mentions more than a dozen products, and plugs the Disney Channel and Elvis movies.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why kids want to see this movie -- because of the story, or because of Disney's marketing campaign? What usually makes you want to see a movie? Families can also discuss the importance of telling the truth and being generous. Why does Joe feel differently about his game after spending time with Peyton? And, parents, remind kids about why they need to stay with safe adults and not run off on their own, as Peyton does.
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See all 52 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 8
    Lives in
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Love it

    Me and my mom absolutely Love this movie. Its so nice.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    Kids ages: 6, 8
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    MY KIDS ABSOULUTLY LOVE THIS MOVIE!

    They have watched it until I am like NOMORE..lol This is a great family movie! I liked it the First two times lol.

  3. Kid Reviewer
    Age 10
    Anonymous
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 16
    Lives in
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0

    This is one that the whole family can enjoy. These days it's really hard to find any movie that doesn't have any cussing in it, but this is one of them. No violence either. Probably the only reason this is rated PG is because of a slightly suggestive comment in the dialogue. But it's very subtle, so it's probably not worth mentioning.

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