 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Iron Will
- Review Date: February 28, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Drama
- 1994
Common Sense Media says
Coming-of-age tale for older kids and teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this snowy coming-of-age film shows the teen hero confronting dangerous obstacles on the way to accomplishing his dream. While the heartwarming theme is excellent, sensitive children should be shielded from this film. In it, Will's father dies and Will is taunted by adults. There's also a graphic dog fight scene. Eight-year-olds who are mature enough will be rewarded with an excellent film. Parents may want to discuss the film's disturbing elements with younger kids after viewing. It may be hard to get adolescents to watch, but teens who give this story a try will thrill to the youthful main character's courage.
What's the story?
IRON WILL follows the adventures of 17-year-old Will Stoneman (Mackenzie Astin), who, after his father dies, competes in a grueling dog sled race to save the family farm. Set in snowy, beautifully photographed wilderness, Iron Will is an action-packed adventure with heart and soul. Young Will Stoneman's determination to follow his dream, and his unwillingness to give up in the face of tremendous danger, is inspirational. In addition, his commitment to honoring his father and preserving his family's way of life is an admirable contrast to much of what's commonly offered pre-teen and teen audiences.
Is it any good?
The performances in Iron Will are uniformly excellent. Oscar winner Kevin Spacey is a snappy, sarcastic presence as the veteran reporter who sees Will as his ticket to fame and fortune. Mackenzie Astin has a sweet but never sappy earnestness as Will. Supporting characters, from the grizzled competitors to the wealthy financiers (including David Ogden Stiers), who sponsor the race, fill out the cast nicely. The sled dogs are beautiful, and the stunts are wildly exciting and well staged.
Like many Disney releases, Iron Will contains moments that may disturb sensitive viewers. Will's father's death, and the idea that an adult would taunt and threaten a kid, are difficult concepts. Parents are urged to view this film along with their kids. One 8-year-old boy felt the film was "sad, but really exciting," and loved the animals. Although there are scary moments and the road is a little rough, Will's journey is well worth taking.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Will's courage and how each family member has used courage in his or her own life.
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AGE
a good movie
This is a good movie. If you like sled dog racing, then you should watch it. But if you are an emotional person that can't stand looking at hurt animals, then you shouldn't watch it.
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AGE
Old-Fashioned Values
The "family values" in this film are deliverd with a heavy hand. Which is a GOOD thing, when young children watch movies they don't always get the nuances so I say go ahead make it painfully obvious what is good and what is evil. My 5 year old was able to grasp almost all of it. Even asked questions about why some people are bad.
Watch this with your children if they are sensitive. It will be worth your time.
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AGE
Do watch it with the kids to begin with our 5yo found the father dying quite hard to take but took to the rest of the movie well, our 8yo didn't like the dog fight and was upset about it - asked questions about why someone would put their own anima,l that they loved, in danger to hurt another ... a very 'american dream' type film though!!
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| Topics: | adventures |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Charles Haid |
| Cast: | August Schellenberg, Kevin Spacey, Mackenzie Astin |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 109 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1994 |
| DVD release date: | April 23, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic elements |
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