Common Sense Media Review
Conventional football drama doesn't quite score.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
We Are Marshall
What's the Story?
Based on a true story, WE ARE MARSHALL focuses on the recovery of the Marshall University football team and the surrounding West Virginia community following the November 1970 plane crash that killed 75 team members, coaches, and boosters. Although he's scheduled to be on the doomed flight from North Carolina, Coach Red (Matthew Fox) does his assistant a favor, putting him on the plane and driving himself home, completing a recruiting run on the way. Horrified that his decision led to the assistant's death, Red quits football, assuming, with everyone else, that the university will disband or at least suspend the program. But then, according to the movie, some surviving team members (who were injured that weekend, and so not at the game) ask to reinstate the program. University president Don Dedmon (David Strathairn) gives in to their demand, eventually hiring a new coach, Jack (Matthew McConaughey), who provides the yin to Red's yang.
Is It Any Good?
Conventional in every way, We Are Marshall is stuffed full of meaningful music and montages, but it rarely overcomes generic clichés.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of sports movies. Why do audiences like them? Families can also talk about how the different characters in the movie deal with the tragedy. What's the best way to honor the memory of the dead players and coaches?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 21, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : September 18, 2007
- Cast : Anthony Mackie , Matthew Fox , Matthew McConaughey
- Director : McG
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : emotional thematic material, a crash scene, and mild language.
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
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