Parents' Guide to Elway

Movie NR 2025 99 minutes
Elway movie poster: John Elway, legendary quarterback for the Denver Broncos, sets for a pass in full uniform, two other versions of him, flank him

Common Sense Media Review

JK Sooja By JK Sooja , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Language, smoking in solid docu about football legend.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Elway Trailer
  • Elway movie: John Elway raises both arms high in the air, with helmet in one hand, in celebration, crowd, players, and stadium in background
  • Elway movie: John Elway, now, in his living room, smiling in blue shirt, hands folded in front of him
  • Elway movie: The back of John Elway in Denver Broncos uniform and helmet as he walks on the field, crowd and stadium in the background

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

In ELWAY, we learn about the career of John Elway, who played 16 years for the Denver Broncos as quarterback, breaking many records. But he also had to overcome great adversity, losing three Super Bowl games (XXI, XXII, XXIV) before finally winning one in 1998 (XXXII). Winner of two Super Bowl games (XXXII and XXXIII) and a Super Bowl MVP (XXXIII), Elway is one of the most prolific NFL quarterbacks of all time.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Featuring a current John Elway openly talking about his experiences, this documentary provides a solid look at Elway's career. Not a comprehensive review, though, as Elway chooses to focus more on particular career moments. Highlighting difficult times and periods is smart, as this provides more weight behind the later victories. For example, Elway's career is often reduced to his and his team's Super Bowl performances before they finally won Super Bowl XXXII. Centering the focus on this narrative allows viewers more personal access to how this story affected Elway, then and now.

Shedding a few tears more than once, Elway, interviewed thoroughly for this film, is open and frank about his professional losses and wins, as well as his personal difficulties off the field. While there's not much here die-hard fans don't already know, this documentary is still a well-put-together review and highlight reel of Elway's career-defining moments. Interviews with his ex-wife and children only further the level of intimacy this film offers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about violence in sports documentaries about (American) football. Did any of the on-field violence (hard hits, tackles) in Elway surprise you?

  • How do characters and players show perseverance and teamwork throughout their seasons? What kinds of mental and physical work go into being a professional football player?

  • Are you satisfied with all that the film covers? What else about John Elway do you still want to know?

Movie Details

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Elway movie poster: John Elway, legendary quarterback for the Denver Broncos, sets for a pass in full uniform, two other versions of him, flank him

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