MOVIE REVIEW: THE GAME PLAN

by DCScrap, Editor

I was asked to review the movie "The Game Plan." Now I am no movie critic, but I can tell you what I like and don't like with the best of them. I do it every day here. And I can say that I liked "The Game Plan." The DVD of the movie hits stores on January 22 and if you have kids this is one they will probably enjoy.

The movie is about a egomanical, self-centered professional quarterback who is presented with having to care for a daughter that he didn't know even existed for eight years, all right before the playoffs are about to begin. It's focuses on how his life changes, how his priorities change for the better and how even the most narcissistic of people can learn what life is really all about.

Once you get past the first half of the movie, which is riddled with the type of cliches you see in many kids and sports movies, the plot finally develops and turns into a movie that families will enjoy watching together. That said, kids will probably enjoy it from the get-go, but the second half of the movie is where adults will get their satisfaction. The film made me smile (quite a bit actually) and amazingly it even made me tear up a little (but that may have more to do with my having a little girl of my own than anything else).

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is the star of the movie (although that's debatable), playing superstar QB Joe Kingman. Playing an arrogant athlete is nothing new to "The Rock" as that is what he did for years with the WWE. Despite that, The Rock seems to struggle through the first half of the movie before finally seeming comfortable in a role that despite the similarities to his wrestling persona is really unlike any he has had before. The good news is that by the end of the movie he seems to have truly gotten the essence of the role and makes you forget his early struggles.

Madison Pettis is the real star of the movie playing Joe Kingman's 8-year old daughter, Peyton. She is cute, funny, genuine and was far and away the best part of the movie. She is precocious without being too much so and plays extremely well off of The Rock's character.

Kyra Sedgwick plays Joe's typical greedy agent. I was not a big fan of her in this role. It seemed ill-suited to her and frankly she annoyed me more than entertained me.

Roselyn Sanchez plays the drop-dead gorgeous ballet teacher that helps transform Joe from the cock of the walk to a loving, caring father. She does a nice job of playing her part and does nothing but enhance the production.

Overall I would give this movie 2-1/2 stars, but if you are planning on watching this with your kids, bump the rating up to 3 stars.