 | 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. |
Moneyball
- Review Date: September 23, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Fantastic, inspiring baseball drama covers all its bases.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this inspiring, intelligent film based on Michael Lewis' bestselling non-fiction book stars Brad Pitt as a professional baseball manager who tries to reinvent the art of recruiting players. It's an incisive look at the classic game that -- thanks to pretty tame content aside from some swearing (including "f--k" and "s--t"), social drinking, and references to Las Vegas -- is age-appropriate for older tween sports movie fans and up. Plus, it has a strongly positive message about committing to a course of action and seeing it through no matter what.
What's the story?
Based on the best-selling nonfiction book by Michael Lewis, MONEYBALL tells the story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), the Oakland A's general manager and once-promising professional ball player who refashioned baseball by trusting statistical analysis as much as, if not more than, traditional recruitment methods. He makes this bold and controversial move with the help of a twentysomething Yale-educated statistics expert, Peter (Jonah Hill) -- and encounters plenty of loud critics. Even the coach (Philip Seymour Hoffman) isn't on board. But with larger, deeper-pocketed clubs like the Yankees able to poach the biggest talents from the A's and elsewhere, there aren't that many other alternatives for finding untapped, affordable talent. Can Beane swing for the fences?
Is it any good?
Except for a final scene that verges on maudlin (but is admittedly still quite sweet), Moneyball is pretty much a perfect baseball movie. It emulates the sport it centers on in its unexpected rhythms -- taking its time to reveal the plot in some stretches, rapidly picking up the pace and tension, bases loaded-style, in others -- and reminds us why the game is so beloved. There's little gimmickry here, just confident storytelling and a script that ekes out the dramatic arc in Beane's trailblazing approach and turns it into great material.
Pitt is as good as he gets here, and that's very good. Like a star athlete, he knows precisely when to hold back and when to go for it. It's a grand slam of a performance. Ditto Hill, who abandons his stoner persona and turns in a convincing portrayal of an economics major who finds his place in baseball. Moneyball succeeds because it doesn't relegate its biggest moments to the action on the field -- we've seen that before -- but focuses instead on a quiet revolution that remade America's pastime. Who knew statistics could be this cinematically engrossing?
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's message. How do you know how far to take an idea or plan that you believe in? Is there a way to know for sure whether an idea is a good one?
What is the movie saying about the world of professional baseball? What are the motivations of the owners? What about the managers and players?
How does the movie portray technology? Do you think statistics are the best way to find talented athletes? Or are there other factors that coaches should consider?
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AGE
Compelling Sports Drama is Interesting and Original
This is a compelling drama that is especially likable if you are a fan of baseball. But honestly, I am not really very good with baseball and I still admired this film for its sufficient acting performances, original humor, and well character development. The only concern at all would be language, but only two f-bombs are even memorable cusses. Not much to worry about, you can take your kids to it. I'm 12, so yeah.
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AGE
Intriguing Story is Good for 12+
This is an intriguing, entertaining drama that is sure to be loved by most. The movie is full of positive messages, though personally I did not find it as inspiring as some other films (i.e. The Blind Side, Remember the Titans). There is some very mild violence (characters upending tables, smashing bats into benches, etc.) when people become frustrated. There is definitely consumerism, but there always is in sport movies. Also, there is no sex and there is minimal drinking. The main reason for the PG-13 rating is for 2 uses of f-ck, 8 uses of sh-t, and scattered uses of other milder words like a--, a--hole, d--k, d-mn, h-ll, crap, and the like. Good for 12+
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AGE
Okay film, high expectations.
People who have high expectations for themselves. They expect perfection. But perfection on everything but the world around them. And that's what happens in this movie. There is some harsh language.
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AGE
good movie
too much language but other than that kid friendly tale
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AGE
Inspiring Film
This movie is very intellectual. Make sure your children understand what it's about, otherwise they'll probably get bored.
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AGE
Great Movie, lots of profanity,
It had great role models about trying hard, there is some dirty humor and swearing, like "a-s" "p---k" "f--k" (twice) "s--t"
"d--k" "butthole" and lots of real world A's consumerism and a referance to "Richards Sporting Goods"
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AGE
Great for baseball fans, tweens on up.
We took 2 13 yr old boys to see this. They loved it, even though there were no car chases, shoot outs, loud soundtracks, or aliens. A wonderful story about staying the course even when everyone thinks you're nuts. Some swear words, but nothing my kids haven't heard me use in heavy traffic.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 20, 2011
AGE
my review on moneyball
It's good but the main character throws stuff. The message is go for it. I think it's very good. The main character is good but there's some cussing.
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AGE
Flat, Disappointing
I expected so much that I was disappointed. The movie was a fairly flat rendition of a very interesting story. Best example I can think of - Scott Hattieburg was a colorful character in the book who became a non-entity in the movie. The oft-mentioned strength of the movie - the interchanges between Pitt's and Hill's characters - left me puzzled as to where the spark was. Their interactions were extremely subdued, and I was surprised at the overall lack of energy in the film. The director's low-key style came through, but to disappointing effect.
A head scratcher.
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AGE
Just some language issues
If you have a mature child 11+ then they can handle it, but otherwise stick to the PG-13 rating. The only issue are a few curse words.
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts, great boy role models, misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Columbia Pictures |
| Director: | Bennett Miller |
| Cast: | Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright Penn |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 126 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 23, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | January 10, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some strong language |
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