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Invincible

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Inspiring sports-underdog story for tweens and up.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    People hang around bars and gripe about their lives. A bar pal is jealous and worries about losing Vince to fame. Vince's wife dumps him and takes all their stuff. Team members get chewed out at various times, and they resent Vince's positive attitude. But overall, this is an inspiring movie about working hard and not giving up.
  • Violence:

    Football and sports violence -- you can almost hear bones breaking! Scuffles break out among the fans during a game. Furniture is thrown in one scene, causing damage to a house.
  • Sex:

    Mild romance and one passionate kiss between a couple.
  • Language:

    Some profanities from teammates and bar buddies.
  • Consumerism:

    Lots of stuff from the 1970s: fashion, cars, decor.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Lots of drinking and smoking. Characters are shown drunk; one urinates outside a bar.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Invincible was written by Jane Boursaw

Parents need to know that this movie includes gritty scenes of South Philly in the 1970s, when jobs were scarce, strikes were rampant, and times were desperate. There are also references to the death of Frank's wife. There's some mild profanity, smoking, drinking, and sports violence.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how our spirit and determination can get us through the rough patches. How do you handle it when it seems like the world is plotting against you? Should you give up when things aren't looking good? Should you let others give up? How did playing on the Eagles help Vince overcome his doubts about his own abilities?
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More on Invincible

What’s the Story?

The year is 1976, and things look grim for Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg). After his wife dumps him and he loses his teaching job, the 30-year-old Philly resident learns that the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Dick Vermeil (Greg Kinnear), is having open tryouts for the city's pro football team. He has nothing to lose, so he joins dozens of other hopefuls with big dreams. Amazingly, Papale makes the team and goes from fan to player in one fell swoop. Against the wishes of the other coaches and trainers, Vermeil decides to let Papale play. Pretty soon, Papale's a true hometown hero -– an everyman who has the whole town standing behind him, including his working-stiff dad (Kevin Conway), and the attractive Janet Cantwell (Elizabeth Banks). But Vince's sandlot football mates have mixed reactions—a few live vicariously through him, another is jealous and worries about losing Vince to fame and fortune.

Is It Any Good?

Sure, it's the classic sports-underdog-defying-the-odds movie that's been done a million times. But it works, which is why studios keep churning them out and why we keep flocking to see them. This one has the added benefit of true life –- Vince Papale is a real person, and this story really happened. And like prize-fighter Jim Braddock in Cinderella Man, Vince gave hope to a lot of people struggling through tough times. They needed something –- and someone –- to cheer for.

The film captures the gritty, financially-pressed times of south Philly in the mid-1970s. Lots of wood paneling, shag carpet, and cheesy garage-band music give it an authentic feel. The football scenes, filmed in cooperation with the NFL and real football players, are intense –- you can almost hear bones breaking. Not only that, Wahlberg is an awesome athlete who did all his own stunts, so those bruises and welts are the real deal. And Vince is a likeable guy. You really want him to succeed -– from the first scenes where his wife dumps him to the local-guy-makes-good ending. Greg Kinnear scores a touchdown as Coach Vermeil, and Elizabeth Banks is surely destined to be a big star. With an inspiring story, snappy dialogue, true-to-life characters, and plenty of goosebump scenes, this movie's a winner.

Movie Details

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Director: Ericson Core
Run time: 104 minutes
Theatrical release: 8/25/2006, DVD release: 12/19/2006
MPAA Rating: PG for sports action and some mild language

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on and give it 3.0

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on and give it 4.0

    Great family movie

    A great story to watch as a family.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    It's emotional, encouraging and motivating movie

    Great movie. I will buy it and use the movie for instructional purpose. To motivate young kids and adults as well in never to give up in life and dreams. Never to feel defeated you can always succeed as long as you try and try harder.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    Feel good and harmless

  5. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    You want to stand up and applaud!

    The whole family felt great when we left the theater.

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