The Mighty Ducks (1992) Review

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

Movie Review by Debbie Winkler

Starring: Emilio Estevez, Joss Ackland, Joshua Jackson, Lane Smith, Heidi Kling
Director: Stephen Herek
Series: The Mighty Ducks Movies Series #1
Release Date: 2 October 1992
Language: English
Length: 100 minutes
Movie Rating: PG
View Format: Streaming on computer
My Rating:

Synopsis:

“As punishment for getting a DUI, hotshot lawyer Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) is sentenced to community service coaching the pathetic Mighty Ducks hockey team. Initially reluctant, Gordon eventually transforms the ragtag band of outsiders and misfits (including a young Joshua Jackson) into the No. 1 team in the peewee league, overcoming his own childhood trauma in the process. The real-life NHL team was actually named after this movie.” — Netflix.com

Review:

I do enjoy a good Disney film. They really have the formula down to a science: create a sympathetic underdog, place some obstacles in his way, and let him achieve even though there are overwhelming odds against him. This movie meets all of the criteria and manages to tug on your heartstrings at the same time. Of course, there is nothing original or particularly memorable about this film, but it is still enjoyable and a pleasant way to pass the time. There is a little bit of something for every one in this movie. There are a lot of children in the movie, all with different personalities and strengths so children will be entertained and identify with someone in the movie. There is plenty of comedy as high end meets low end, adult meets child, underdog meets champion, so there are plenty of opportunities to laugh. There is plenty of sports-related action as there are several hockey games throughout the film. They only show you the highlights, which is just enough to move the plot along, but is also enough to whet your appetite if you enjoy hockey. There is a touch of romance between Emilio Estevez and Charlie’s (Joshua Jackson) mother (Heidi Kling). And the good guys win in the end against the big, bad, bully champions.

So what more could you ask for? Well, a bit of heart and soul, for one thing. This movie hits all of the right notes and stirs you while you are watching it, but the movie doesn’t stay with you. It has no lasting impact, but is a pretty enjoyable way to pass a few hours. If you are looking for a family-oriented film that children of all ages will enjoy, this is a good movie to select. If you are single and enjoy sports dramas or comedies, as I do, this is also a good movie to select. Again, this movie probably will not make into your top-10, but you will find a lot to recommend it, and then you will set it aside and forget about it as I did.

Content:

This movie contains some mild language, sports-related violence, sleazy lawyers and scenes of drinking, including a DUI. Appropriate for viewers of all ages.

Other Recommendations :

1. Sister Act (1992) Review
2. Poirot: The ABC Murders (1992) Movie Review
3. Poirot: Death in the Clouds (1992) Movie Review
4. Classic Cartoon Favorites v. 5: Extreme Sports Fun (2005) Review
5. Go Figure (2005) Review