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DVD Review: The Game Plan

by Jane Boursaw on January 21st, 2008

Like so many movies that have come before it (think Vin Diesel in The Pacifier), this one follows a pat formula: Tough guy gets thrown into a situation with kids and learns life lessons, such as 1) family is important; 2) fame and fortune aren’t everything; and 3) it’s ok to let down your guard.

Joe Kingman (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) is a star quarterback who parties hard, earns a big paycheck, and plays the field in both sports and romance. But his livin’-large lifestyle gets an overhaul when 7-year-old Peyton (Madison Pettis) shows up at his door claiming to be his daughter. Will Mr. Big-Shot Football Player step up and take responsibility? Or will he pass the buck to someone else?

We know where this is going right from the beginning. It’s the “how we get there” that’s the question. In Joe’s case, he doesn’t want to mess up a good thing. His team is on the cusp of a big championship, and he’s wanted it for a long time. But how can he focus on that while learning how to be a dad? Bedtime stories, ballet lessons, and Barbies are all new to this muscle man.

And Peyton’s girlish antics aren’t going over so well. She decorates his trophy football with rhinestones, puts a pink tutu on his bulldog, and turns his workout pool into a giant bubblebath. Joe’s uber-intense agent, Stella (Kyra Sedgwick) is no help, since she doesn’t have a clue about parenting and is only interested in how much money Joe can earn.

After a series of misadventures involving young Peyton, Joe discovers there’s more to life than a big bank account, mega endorsements, and thousands of adoring fans. It’s the Disney plot we all know and love – even if we’ve seen it a thousand times.

There’s nothing new here, but it’s a cute movie with a good message about what’s truly important in life (that would be family). This movie will probably appeal mostly to kids aged 7 to 14 who like sports, physical comedy, or tough-guy-turns-softie stories. Also, since Madison Pettis is a regular on Cory in the House, fans of that show and/or the Disney Channel will like it.

DVD Extras: ESPN’s SportsCenter: The Rock Learns to Play QB; Bloopers With Marv Albert; Drafting “The Game Plan”; The King in Search of a Ring; Deleted Scenes; Peyton’s Makeover Madness. Available subtitles/audiotracks: English, Spanish, French.

Check out the trailer. And is that the coolest car or what?

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POSTED IN: Comedy, Family, Film Industry, Film Reviews, Now on DVD