1. THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
DISNEY DRAWS KID CROWD, BUT MOVIE HAS
LARGER `GAME PLAN'
FAMILY COMEDY SHOWS `THE ROCK' ACTUALLY
CAN ACT (WHO KNEW?)
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Section: FAITH
Edition: ONE-THREE
Page: 4E
Type: REVIEW
KIMBERLY SUMMERS. Special Correspondent
Column: KIMBERLY SUMMERS - TEEN SCREENS
Illustration: PHOTO: 1
Caption: WALT DISNEY PICTURES PHOTO. A quarterback (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) gets
a surprise from a spunky 7-year-old (Madison Pettis) in "The Game Plan."
With an Icee clenched in my hand, I faced the crowd in confusion: "The Game Plan" attracted a
larger crowd than I'd anticipated. The theater swarmed with sugary-mouthed, feet-can't-touch-the-
ground children who had already downed half of their popcorn before the previews were finished.
What attracted this myriad of kids? DISNEY!
As this was a Disney production, I expected it to force a mellifluous message down our throats (e.g.
"Sharing is caring") and drive off all audiences except 7- and 8-year-olds. My cursory knowledge
proved wrong.
"The Game Plan" introduces us to cocky, egotistical Joe Kingmon, quarterback - in his mind, the
King. Joe is "No. 1 on the field and No. 1 in your hearts." (You'd better not forget it, but in case
you do, it's repeated more than enough. "Never say no" comes a close second as most-repeated line.
I remind you, this is a Disney production.)
Whatever line is articulated by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, you're sure to crack a smile and sigh
with relief. Who knew he could sing, twirl pirouettes and, most important, act? When I say "act," I
don't mean previous engagements in "Walking Tall" (tough guy), or "The Mummy Returns" (godly
Scorpion King).
This "freakishly large" quarterback receives a wake-up call from a spunky, sassy, bubble-bath-
concocting 7-year-old who claims she's his daughter. Don't let the cute looks fool you; pint-size
princess Peyton (Madison Pettis) delivers sharp comebacks and even sharper acting skills.
Pettis realistically plays off Johnson as a daughter and father would: a few fights, quirky moments
to add interest, and misunderstandings that cease to exist when love becomes an overwhelming
presence. (On noticing Pettis in the promos, I asked if she's the same girl from "Corey in the
House," a Disney sitcom. My sister confirmed it with a "Yeah, duh," so I guess I'm not hip to the
Disney Channel monopoly that's overpowering our tween nation today.)
2. The characters include Joe's feisty agent, Stella Peck (played hysterically by Kyra Sedgwick), and
levelheaded wide receiver Sanders (Morris Chestnut), who proves a reliable component in Joe's
new parenting lifestyle.
Director Andy Fickman has a broad range: He's done "She's the Man," "Who's Your Daddy?" and
the acclaimed sitcom "Aliens in America." His work goes from a young boy inheriting a porn
empire to a young Muslim Pakistani sent to America in a foreign exchange program, a career that
can confuse even avid spectators. I hope he'll stick with what he knows best, family comedies.
"The Game Plan" isn't faultless, nor does it lack banality by any stretch of the imagination, but it
does reinforce the ethic of family movies and proves humor doesn't have to include vulgar
language, bodily functions or anything associated with the gastric system. It may not reach Oscar
standards, but you can rest assured it'll win a place in your heart. Well, at least, that's the game
plan.
"The Game Plan" is rated PG for mild thematic elements.