Alicia
I love this movie so much
Artivels
Undescribable Perfection
Donald Seymour
This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
eric262003
Being a huge fan of Will Ferrell, I eagerly anticipated to see this incredible sports comedy. To be honest I never had the opportunity to have seen it in theaters when it was released seven years ago. But I was fortunate enough to purchase it near my local video store and when I saw saw it, I was as giddy as kid in a candy store as I couldn't wait to slip this bad boy in my DVD. The great thing about "Kicking and Screaming" is that although Ferrell goes through his usual schtick of uptight hollers which has been a trademark to his comedic talents over the years, and sure he may have to water down his antics so that the content will be customized for family viewings. Still his dedication towards his work is flawless and his over the top zaniness will likely to tickle your funny bones, even the most hard-edged stoics might have a chuckle manifested within their stone-cold personalities. But that's the best asset about the film, it can have a strong impact on the younger audiences and at the same time the adults and the hard-edged cynics are entertained at the same time.The central story is about a young man named Phil Weston (Ferrell) as he tries to liven up towards his dismissive and harsh father Buck(Robert Duvall). Buck has never expressed any type of compassion towards his son partially because Phil has never had the same interests as Buck like sports or anything of the masculine flavor. Phil grew up to operate a store that endorses vitamins for kids which has for years made ol' Bucko cringe. In everything that Phil set out to achieve Buck had to always usurp him, even if if meant knocking him down a notch just to remain the alpha male in the Weston household. Phil however, has to learn the art of inflicting tough love of his own as he graciously volunteers to coach his son Sammy's soccer team who's at the moment on an embarrassing losing streak that his grandfather traded him to. Buck shows no remorse for his actions, but the battle of tough love that finally brings the father and son of Buck and Phil closer than they've ever been before.Will Ferrell truly makes his mark here in all his yelling and outlandish tactics will truly have you in stitches with laughter. Switching from high energy proteins to strong brewed coffee he transforms into a uncontrollable almost maniacal maybe going beyond abusive in tough love than his father inflicted on him. Duvall shows he can do comedy as the tyrannical, obnoxious Buck. At first glance, it appears like Buck's character is someone you would truly love to despise. NFL legend Mike Ditka also shows his acting chops are splendid just by being himself. All the kids in this movie provide much needed comic relief much like the kids in Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1990 vehicle "Kindergarten Cop"."Kicking and Screaming" has a neat little message about the value of raising your kids and let them follow their own dreams and try to avoid less pressure on them by forcing them into something they're not interested in. We get a good overview the assets and liabilities of competitiveness and the sacrifices parents must consider when applying pressurizing tactics on your kids. But when the movie's over, it's all in fun and parents can sit on the couch with their kids and be just a family for the next minute and thirty five minutes. I loved this movie so much. Sure it's not one of the greatest sports story ever (nothing beats "The Best of the Best") but I guarantee, you it will likely put a smile to your face.
Chrysanthepop
'Kicking & Screaming' is pretty much a typical football comedy about an underdog team that wins in the end. Nothing new here but the reason why I watched it and enjoyed it was because of the cast. Will Ferrell is fun to watch and a laidback Robert Duvall gives a funny relaxed performance as the jerk dad with a comic touch. The beautiful Kate Walsh plays the typical wife and mom and is pretty much there for star value and eye candy. I also enjoyed the scenes with the kids. The Byong Sun character was particularly funny. The film does occasionally derail as Ferrell's Phil gets hooked on coffee and turns into a maniac coach but then again, it made me laugh. Overall this isn't exactly a great film and it has nothing new to offer but it's good time pass as it draws some laughter. Perhaps that was director Jesse Dylan's intention.
Syl
I love Will Ferrell. I was watching this movie yesterday. He works well with the brilliant Robert Duvall who plays his champion father, Buck Weston, who would do nothing but win. Will's character marries Kate Walsh's character and they have a son, Sam, and so does Will's dad and his new wife have a son named Bucky Jr. Years later, Duvall's soccer team exchanges his own grandson to the losing team in the league. On top of that, their coach quits and Ferrell takes over. One of the younger players is a foreign adopted boy, Byong Chun, whose lesbian mothers offer a book about their son's shyness. I love seeing David Hermann play the referee, Greg Kinnear play the opposing coach, Laura Kightlinger as the lesbian mother, and of course Mike Ditka as Buck's neighbor and nemesis. The story is typical and predictable but still watchable and enjoyable.
GeoffNCO-1
My dog barfed when he watched this. Also, my gerbil died. ...But that's because the dog barfed on him and he suffocated. Honestly, it's a consideration to put a label for a good movie on this one, then send it to someone I hate. Poor Will and Robert. At least Ditka didn't have an acting career before. Why would they agree to this abomination? Community service? Award willing actors and bad dialog. I kept searching, but found no meaning. The most light-hearted 10-year-olds I know would have a hard time sitting through this rubbish. All things considered, I think the time I took a laxative and a sleeping pill in the same night, things turned out better. No continuity + inferior writing = movie in a garbage bin. I was forced to watch this movie Kicking and Screaming.
