The Mighty Ducks (PG, 1992)

common sense media says

A light-hearted classic kids' sports movie.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film is about a rather violent, expensive sport -- hockey. The possibility of injury is addressed, though not in a way that conveys the risk of playing this sport. Drunk driving leads to arrest and community service; however, that community service ends up being a rewarding experience, so the seriousness of drunk driving may fall by the wayside.

Positive messages: Emphasis on learning how to deal with loss, teamwork, acceptance of others.
Violence & scariness: Some body checking in hockey games, some light wrestling and shoving.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Light swearing: "damn," "bastard."
Consumerism: Hockey equipment and merchandise: Mighty Ducks jerseys.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking and driving (punished).

More on The Mighty Ducks

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about ways that children may deal with high-pressure situations, like the ones faced by the hockey players in the movie. If Charlie had missed his shot at the end of the movie, what could the team and the coach have done to let him know they still supported him?

What's the story?

What's the story?

THE MIGHTY DUCKS tells the familiar story of an underdog sports team's rise from the bottom. Gordon Bombay's (Emilio Estevez) fast-lane life as a cutthroat attorney takes a turn for the worse when he's arrested for drunk driving. As part of his community service sentence, Gordon must coach a hockey team comprised of rag-tag neighborhood kids. Though he carries the guilt of a hockey failure and his father's death with him, Gordon, with the help of his team, is able to face his demons, and his old overbearing coach. In the process, the Mighty Ducks, as they come to be called, learn to work together and accept those different from them.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The Mighty Ducks is a fun and frothy family film. The pressure to excel is ever-present in kids' sports, and this movie is a good way to breach the topic with kids. There is a brief foray into single-parent romance, as Gordon courts the mother of one of the players.

Overall, things never get serious for very long, as the film highlights the camaraderie and laughs of being part of a team. It never really feels like a lecture to kids, so they are likely to enjoy it, and will hopefully take from it some lessons concerning competition. For kids 8 and up.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Stephen Herek
Cast: Emilio Estevez, Joshua Jackson, Joss Ackland
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 104 minutes
Theatrical release: October 2, 1992
DVD release: April 11, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: mild profanity and hockey violence

This review was written by Elliot Panek
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

LamboLover
teen, 14 years old
 
I enjoyed this movie, but if I were a parent I wouldn't let younger children watch it because of the language and drinking.

racegirl19
teen, 16 years old
 
ok
This movie we watched in class this is just a ok movie

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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