Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off
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Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off is a delightful Disney TV movie that challenges gender stereotypes and has plenty of other positive messages. When 14-year-old baseball star, Eddie Ogden (Taylor Ball), discovers a flair for cooking he faces discrimination and teasing from friends and family as his passion is seen "for girls." The movie challenge these narrow views with positive messages that all activities are suitable for all genders. When characters display strong gender-biased feelings these are all proved wrong, usually by the empowered victims of their taunts or prejudices. Eddie's father, Hank (Mark L. Taylor), is also his team coach and uses phrases such as "you throw like a girl" as a negative. He is challenged by team members, who question his values. Eventually he learns to appreciate his son's passion. The team also features a female baseball ace, Hannah (Rose McIver), who hides her love for the game from her mom, who she believes wants her to be a cheerleader. The tone is light but it gets its message across well, amid fun gooey food fights and family-friendly comedy. Besides the food fights, the movie features infrequent mild language, such as "idiot," "butt," and "screw up."
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What's the Story?
In EDDIE'S MILLION DOLLAR COOK-OFF, Eddie Ogden (Taylor Ball), a teenage baseball star, discovers he has a passion for cooking but faces prejudice when his friends and family find out. Will he play baseball or compete in the big cook-off?
Is It Any Good?
Sometimes Disney's TV movies hit all the right notes and here we get a solid message that can be understood by all ages, baked into a film that's heaps of fun. Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off has big, silly, slippery, and oh so satisfying food fights -- a Golden Retriever dog twice-soaked in goo is a particular highlight. Then there's the exciting action in the form of baseball and cooking. While the family drama at the heart of the film is the cherry on top. It's funny, warm, and is packed with empowered characters. But amid all the fun is a serious message for anyone afraid to admit their passions.
It's not sugar-coated, either. Eddie gets picked on. He gets laughed at. He's shunned by his father! But the movie presents the other side, too. Eddie can follow his dreams. He understands which of his friends really care about his happiness and can look past their prejudices (spoiler alert: eventually they all can), while learning to communicate better with his family. Sometimes sweet, sometimes silly but always enjoyable, Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off is an all-ages introduction to being yourself.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off challenges gender stereotypes. Why do you think Eddie faced such prejudice for wanting to cook? What about Hannah? Why did she hide the fact she played baseball from her mom? How did both Eddie and Hannah stay true to themselves?
Throughout the movie characters display communication, compassion, courage, empathy, integrity, and teamwork. What do you understand these traits to mean? Why are they such good characters strengths to have?
Eddie discovers a love for cooking. Have you discovered something new that you enjoy? Is there anything you would like to try for the first time? Why is it good to have a hobby?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: July 18, 2003
- Cast: Taylor Ball, Rose McIver, Mark L. Taylor
- Director: Paul Hoen
- Studios: Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney+
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Cooking and Baking, Sports and Martial Arts, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, High School
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Teamwork
- Run time: 85 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: November 10, 2022
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