Little Giants (PG, 1999)

common sense media says

The little guy wins in this rote comedy.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this Mighty Ducks knock-off is rote, but carries a good message, and kids will enjoy it. Five-year-olds may be old enough to enjoy many of the movie's goofy antics, but 6- to 8-year-olds are this movie's target audience. Older kids will likely lose interest.

Positive messages: The movie's message, even if recited by rote, is a good one: teamwork and inclusion are important.
Violence & scariness: Typical football action. Lots of grunting and vowing to tear opponents to bits.
Sexy stuff: Mild. Some awkward teen kissing.
Language: Includes "crap," "hell" and one "for Christ's sake".
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Little Giants

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about why the Giants won. What character traits did the players develop as a result of working together?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Two adult brothers living in a small town -- returning football star Kevin (Ed O'Neill) and diminutive nerd Danny (Rick Moranis) -- coach opposing pee-wee football teams. Danny's team may be filled with outcasts, but they still give Kevin's team a run for their money and teach the brothers a thing or two about family and sportsmanship.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This is a formulaic yet good-natured football yarn for those who haven't seen the story of nerds triumphing over jocks many times before. The predictable big-game showdown, the bumbling practice antics, the coach falling for one of the team moms -- these are just some of the elements lifted directly from The Mighty Ducks franchise. Inconceivably, this project required the efforts of four writers. What could they have been doing? Watching and stealing from every movie in the genre? Of course, the reason we see this formula over and again is it seems to work -- audiences eat it up.

To be fair, there are some humorous bits in the movie. The no-neck Neanderthal Spike, who only refers to himself in the third person, is fun to watch, saying things like, "Spike is going to tear you apart!" The go-cart scene one-ups the rollerblading chase from D2. And Ed O'Neill's Kevin is just nasty enough to make you really dislike him. The movie's message, even if recited by rote, is a good one: Teamwork and inclusion are important.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Duwayne Dunham
Cast: Devon Sawa, Ed O'Neill, Rick Moranis
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 106 minutes
Theatrical release: March 2, 1999
DVD release: March 2, 1999
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: thematic elements

This review was written by Randy White
 
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is 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