Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dated 1990s soccer comedy has lots of innuendo, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ladybugs
What's the Story?
LADYBUGS follows the story of Chester (Rodney Dangerfield), who, desperate for a promotion at work, lies to his boss and his fiancée to coach a losing teen girls' soccer team. In order to turn the team into winners, Chester forces his fiancée's son, Matthew (Jonathan Brandis), to dress up as a girl and play on the team. Problems ensue as Chester tries to keep his lies secret.
Is It Any Good?
Boxing Dangerfield into a teen girls' soccer film really "drags" down this gender-swapping comedy disguised as a potential kid-friendly soccer film. Ladybugs hasn't aged well since the 1990s. Dangerfield's awkward attempts to deliver his signature comedy and innuendo-filled one-liners end up being a super-painful reminder that the teen years are uncomfortable enough without Rodney Dangerfield butting in. Honestly, Ladybugs is probably one of the worst of the classic Dangerfield comedies. You'd be better off watching Caddyshack or Back to School, where at least he's delivering punchlines to his ideal audience: adults.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the soccer team players in Ladybugs demonstrate teamwork. Why is teamwork an important character strength?
There's a fine line between confidence and intimidation/bullying. How do the Ladybugs handle bullying in the film? Do you think they could have done anything differently when faced with adversity from other teams?
Do you think the Ladybugs story would have been as entertaining without Rodney Dangerfield's comedy? How has his humor aged since the 1990s?
How do you think this movie would be different if it was made today? Why do you think some types of jokes were more accepted by the mainstream in the past than they are today?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 27, 1992
- On DVD or streaming : June 15, 2011
- Cast : Rodney Dangerfield , Jonathan Brandis , Jackee Harry , Vinessa Shaw
- Director : Sidney J. Furie
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sex related dialogue
- Last updated : June 6, 2024
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