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Resurrecting the Champ

(2007, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Alan Alda, Josh Hartnett, Samuel L. Jackson)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Reporter's ethics get KO'd in bland boxing tale.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The movie has a thematic focus on ambition, deceit, and disappointing role models; Erik learns a lesson after he has hurt several people. Some racist comments from the Champ.

  • Violence:

    Frequent boxing scenes are filled with hard-hitting, noisy, sometimes slow-motion violence, with blood spurting, flesh splitting, and bodies falling. A group of kids beats up the Champ in an alley, kicking and hitting him for fun (bloody injuries are visible). Erik hits a computer screen in an angry moment.

  • Sex:

    Girls in bikinis hold up placards between boxing rounds; producer appears in a slinky dress, trying to seduce Erik into a "torrid affair" (he turns her down).

  • Language:

    At least one "f--k," plus other ringside/sports profanity ("s--t," "ass," "hell," "damn," "son of a bitch," "screw up"). The Champ refers to a Hispanic boxer as "the spicky kid" more than once.

  • Consumerism:

    Advertisements for Showtime programs on office wall (Weeds, Dexter).

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The Champ smokes cigarettes repeatedly; he also drinks beer (sometimes from a brown paper bag). Other social drinking in bars.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Resurrecting the Champ

Parents need to know that this sports drama revolves around boxing. Bloody fight scenes take place both in the present and in black-and-white flashbacks and involve violent, noisy, fast-cut footage. The Champ is homeless; he appears dirty, tattered, and repeatedly drunk, and he smokes a lot of cigarettes. The movie focuses on lying and telling stories to enhance your career and history, as well as tense relationships between fathers and sons. A couple of women appear in seductive outfits and poses. Language includes one use of "f--k," plus more colorful "ringside" language.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the ethical compromises Erik makes in order to pursue his ambitions. How often do you think that happens in the world of media and journalism? Are journalists always objective, or do they have their own agendas? What's their responsibility to their audience? How much of what you see and read in the media can you believe? Families can also discuss the movie's father-son relationships. Is Erik trying too hard to live up to his father's reputation? How do his lies complicate his own relationship with little Teddy?
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