Kicking and Screaming (2005) MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: +1

In this comedy, Phil Weston (Will Ferrell) is an easygoing noncompetitive kind of guy. His domineering father, Buck (Robert Duvall), is just the opposite, and his driven personality always makes Phil feel inadequate. One day when Phil brings home the woman he intends to marry, his father greets Phil with a young beauty whom he introduces as Phils future stepmother. They both have baby boys at the same time, and his father brags that his son is bigger. As the two boys grow older, they play soccer on a team that Buck coaches. Buck will not let Phils son, Sam (Dylan McLaughlin), play because he is not good enough. He then trades Sam to the Tigers, the worst team in the league, which has never won a game. When the Tigers coach disappears, Phil steps in to avoid a forfeit and finds himself the coach of a team of misfits. He recruits famous football coach Mike Ditka (Mike Ditka) to help.

Phil knows little about soccer and teaches the kids that having a good time is as important to winning. But when a couple of good players join the team, they begin to win some games. After a taste of victory, Phil becomes highly competitive. He begins drinking coffee for the first time and soon becomes addicted to it, even bringing an espresso machine to games. Phil becomes more and more aggressive like his father. The film shows adults acting badly, mostly to illustrate how parents should not behave. When Phil realizes his error, he changes and responds to his father in a manner unlike his father. While this entertaining film has a positive message and will be enjoyed by both kids and adults, there are some instances of crude humor, mild violence, bad language, and a same-sex female couple with a child. Parents will want to see Previews movie summary before letting their children see Kicking & Screaming.

Preview Reviewer: Alan Boyer
Distributor: Universal Pictures