 | 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. |
The Rookie
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- G
- Genre: Drama
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Sweet, engaging true story more appealing to tweens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this movie is rated G, it will not be of much interest to younger kids, since it deals primarily with an adult's pursuit of his career goals. Some kids might be upset by the scenes of Morris with his father, who is cold and unsympathetic, or by the financial problems faced by the family. There are references to divorce and remarriage.
What's the story?
THE ROOKIE centers around Morris (Dennis Quaid), who loves baseball and had his shot at the big leagues, but didn't make it. Morris is a high school baseball coach in a Texas town where everyone loves football. One day, Morris throws a few balls to the catcher and the team is impressed with the power of his arm. He promises that if they win the division title, he'll try out for the major leagues. The boys start winning games, so Morris ends up going to the try-outs. Despite his age, Morris is throwing up to 98 miles an hour. But the success of the team has brought a coaching offer from a bigger school. Morris can take it and give his family a more comfortable life. Or he can accept the offer to play on a minor league team, with the slim hope that he might get picked up by the major leagues. His dream asks a lot of him, but it asks a lot from his family, too, perhaps more than is fair to expect.
Is it any good?
If this hadn't really happened, Disney would have had to make it up. But a high school science teacher did tell the baseball team he coached that if they won the division title he would try out for the major leagues. And they did and he did and Jim Morris did become the oldest rookie in 40 years. Sometimes, life just is a Disney movie. And this story turns out to make a very nice movie indeed, thanks to not one but two irresistible underdog-with-a-dream stories, dignified-but-heartwarming direction by John Lee Hancock, and a hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark performance by Dennis Quaid.
The story is inevitably predictable and there are some dramatic embellishments, like the awkwardly inserted reconciliation with his father and the way the minor league coach tells Morris the big news. But the dream is so pure and Quaid is so good that most audiences will be happy to go along.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about our responsibility to help those we care about try to make their dreams come true and to share the dreams of those we love. What kinds of big dreams do you have? What about your family members?
Morris's father tells him that it is "okay to think about what you want to do until it is time to do what you were meant to do." How long and hard should you fight for a dream? How do you know when it is time to put a dream aside?
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Kid, 11 years old
April 12, 2011
AGE
This is a good movie for kids. I saw a box of Cap'n Crunch in a couple of scenes, and a poopy diaper.
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AGE
Good for 6+
This movie is inspiring and full of positive messages that are sure to leave a good imprint on your kids' brains. However, do note: there is one brief use of d-mn ("they thought the d*mn radar gun broke!"). In a celebration scene in the locker room, a boy pelvic thrusts a few times before the camera cuts away to other celebrating boys (very brief). In the stands, a few fans make very brief suggestive dance moves. Husband and wife passionately kiss for about five seconds. Wine and beer is shown being consumed. There is some product placement; for example, a father has a long discussion with his kids at breakfast about Captain Crunch. Otherwise, nothing else! Great movie, and I recommend it for 6+
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AGE
For young parents.
It was a good inspiring movie. I recomend this movie for young parents to watch with their child(ren). It teaches them the importance of following your dream and stay close with family. Both in your heart and in person.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 24, 2010
AGE
9+
I mean my teachers showed it at my school.
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AGE
i laughed
THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE FOR KIDS TO SEE. AT HOME.
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AGE
Good movie BUT......
I was pretty disappointed in this movie, because it is rated G, but it should be rated PG! In one seen his wife grabs his butt briefly, and in another scene they are in bed and she has no top on, but you can't see anything.. Also, language was an issue: D, H, and OMG...I just wish that they would have kept all that stuff out of there because it was a really really good movie otherwise...
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Kid, 10 years old
May 6, 2010
AGE
Cool movie
The rookie is a very very very cool base ball movie. You should see it sometime.
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AGE
Good movie, but some bad stuff.
I watched it in school; it was long and inspiring. It teaches older kids and teens about being trustworthy and being responsible. I noticed some ads, wine & beer, and some bad language.
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | John Lee Hancock |
| Cast: | Dennis Quaid, Jay Hernandez, Rachel Griffiths |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 128 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 29, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | August 27, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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