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Snowball Express
Common Sense says
- G
- 1972
- 93 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
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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 this Disney classic is rather adult-centric, relying on themes of job loss, inheritance, and the struggle to survive in a new environment, for material. Kids might find the movie slow to start, but parents will enjoy the trip back in time -- when skiing was a novel new sport for swinging adults!
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What's the story?
John Baxter (Dean Jones) works for an insurance company in New York City, where he shows up late, putting his feet on his desk, shrugging his shoulders to reprimands. But when he is told that his distant uncle has died and bequeathed a ski resort to his family, the wheels in his head begin to turn. The next thing you know, he has packed up the wife and kids in the station wagon and left city living far behind. Soon he discovers that the hotel has seen better days and that all of the hard work put into its rebuilding can be shattered in an instant. Entertaining ski capers and a snowmobile race make for a fun ending.
Is it any good?
The first thirty minutes of the movie are a little on the dull side. Once the skiers show up, however, the fun begins. Those parents who remember watching their own parents snowplow down the hill wearing bright yellow pants and orange parkas will get a kick out of the adult- paradise ski scenes. Kids will enjoy the goofy ski escapades as well as the comedic epic snowmobile race. Chances are, however, that most contemporary kids won't last through the opening credits. Worth a try, however, if your family is heading on a trip to the mountains.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about moving to a new home. What would happen if your family uprooted and moved to a completely different environment like the Baxters did in this movie? Who would you miss? What would you look forward to?
Movie details
- In theaters: April 22, 1972
- On DVD or streaming: April 22, 2003
- Cast: Dean Jones, Harry Morgan, Nancy Olson
- Director: Norman Tokar
- Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Run time: 93 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- MPAA explanation: General Audiences
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.