I actually really enjoyed this movie. The entire concept (a reluctant, down on his luck man coaches inner-city kids and makes a profound impact on their lives) is cliche and the acting isn't the best in the world, but it's enjoyable and even rather touching. I actually cried at one part. There is a lot of cursing which makes it inappropriate for younger kids, but if you can get past that then the movie is very enjoyable. I'd recommend it to everyone.
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Hardball
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
This umpire calls Hardball out at first base.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–14
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Hardball
Parents need to know that this movie includes very strong language, including many four-letter words used by children. The boys are surrounded by drug use and gang violence. They can identify the weapon by the sound of the shooting and take it for granted that they must sit on the floor to be out of the way of gunfire that might come in the window. One child is badly beaten and another is killed. Also, this film was originally intended to be released as an R, due to the language used by the children. The producers argued that it was an authentic portrayal of the urban setting. Protests during the filming, and, more significantly, marketing concerns about whether the audience really wanted an R-rated movie about a little league team, led them to cut some of the worst language to obtain a PG-13 rating. Yet the movie still has some material, including the gang shooting of a child, that is far more likely to be upsetting to younger audiences than a few four-letter words.
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how the children helped Conor realize that he needed to make some changes. Why was it important that Conor made a rule that the players could not insult each other? What did Conor learn from G-Baby? What do you think will happen to the members of the team when they get too old to play in the league?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Heartfelt, if cliche
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
hardball
nice
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