 | 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 Sandlot
- Review Date: July 26, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Field of Dreams for tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that if this nostalgic baseball comedy missteps, it's in the treatment of Wendy -- the much sought after, slightly older "babe" who one of the boys tricks into kissing him. While the guys ogle her with typical preteen interest, the camera lingers on close-ups of her various body parts. Whatever the intent, the result is unnecessary. Family relationships are also somewhat strained (particularly between one of the boys and his indifferent stepdad), but friendship plays a strong role and comes off in a very positive light.
What's the story?
After getting onto the local sandlot team purely by luck, Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) spends a blissful summer developing his baseball skills with help from his teammates Benny (Mike Vitar), Yeah-Yeah (Marty York), Ham (Patrick Renna), Squints (Chauncey Leopardi), and the rest of the boys. Things take a serious turn when the gang experiences what they believe is a bad omen that will give them bad luck. To infuse the team with good luck, Scotty runs home and grabs his stepfather's (Denis Leary) baseball. When Scotty hits the ball into the junkyard, the boys discover just how valuable it is and devise an elaborate scheme to retrieve it, a mission that requires getting past "The Beast," a terrifying guard dog owned by angry junkman Mr. Mertle (James Earl Jones).
Is it any good?
This charming film is a Field of Dreams for the younger set. The two movies share a couple of features: the winning presence of James Earl Jones and a longing for a simpler world. Both also attempt to leave the viewer with a life-affirming message. At the same time, THE SANDLOT doesn't take itself too seriously. For the most part, Sandlot works. The kids are just right -- they can really play the game, and there's a refreshing lack of precocious, obnoxious types. While it trades in the stock cliches of baseball films, it does so with utter conviction and innocence. And, for once, here's a sport film for kids that isn't about winning.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the appeal of sports movies. Why are there so many of them? Is it always a guarantee that the underdogs will come out on top?
Do you have to have been a kid in the 1960s to appreciate this movie? Why or why not? What about it appeals to kids of different generations?
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Kid, 9 years old
December 18, 2010
AGE
Excellant
I think that this is a great movie but there is some laungage but its not a real problem, I like the part when they try to get the ball from the beast and the part when one of them busted the guts out of a ball, maybe for other families it would be older kids but not our family its good for me, I like it alot.
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AGE
Foul Language
I picked this movie for my two boys and was surprised at the language used. I personally do not think the "S word" is appropriate for a PG movie or for 8 year olds. I'm not sure I trust the reviews of Common Sense Media.
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AGE
Good but very strong for a PG.
CMS got it wrong this movie uses the S word 3 times and its only rated 8+. I think its more questionable the the sequel gut its still a classic. Not for young kids though.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 2, 2011
AGE
OMG!
This pretty funny when Benny says ''Oh,****'' and then the Beast says ''Oh,****''!
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Kid, 12 years old
June 20, 2011
AGE
Bad Review, Good Movie
Okay, the teenage-girl oggling thing wasn't really a big deal. The review didn't mention the boys use chewing tobacco then throw up!! I mean, that was the worst part! Really?
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AGE
Some kids are great role models, some not so much.
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AGE
This is one of the BEST kids movies ever made. I absolutely love this movie. It's about being a kid and the things that they go through in grade school. Being the new kid on the block. making new friends, defending your friends, experiencing new things together, and then reminiscing about your childhood friends when you grow up. Even if you're not a baseball fan it's still something that kids can relate to and will be entertained by. If you haven't seen it, what have you been waiting for?!
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AGE
i donno..
i just like it cuz benny is super good looking
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AGE
Classic Movie
I have showed this movie for 20 minutes each day to my middle school students in homeroom. Many have the students have not seen the movie before and they really come in each day excited to watch! They can relate to the characters and are mature enough to not get too giddy at the boy/girl stuff.
I was very disappointed at the slight profanity in the movie- (sh** and cr**) because it is rated PG!! Sandlot could be just as much of a classic WITHOUT the language!
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AGE
Okay for older teens with more discernment
It wasn't the sexualization of the lifeguard that bothered us - it was the sexualization of the 10 - 13yo boys.... Watch that scene, reverse the genders. Still okay? I didn't think so either.
The rest of the movie would have been a good choice for a one-time family movie.
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts, friendship |
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | David M. Evans |
| Cast: | James Earl Jones, Mike Vitar, Tom Guiry |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 11, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | March 11, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some language and kids chewing tobacco |
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