Game Plan (Widescreen) (2007)

"...surely [The Rock]'s one of the more likable people in the movies, and here he handles physical sight gags with aplomb...  G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle
"A touchdown for the entire family.  Roseann Rogers, NBC-TV

Editor's Note A film that marks Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's first leading role in a family-friendly comedy, THE GAME PLAN finds the former pro wrestler starring as Joe Kingman, a popular NFL quarterback happily entrenched in a carefree single lifestyle. Kingman's world is turned upside-down, however, when a young girl named Peyton Kelly (Madison Pettis) appears from out of the blue, claiming to be his daughter from a brief former marriage. Reluctantly, Kingman must learn how to shake his self-absorption and become a father, leading to hijinks that involve the inevitable clash of macho-man and little-girl cultures. Directed by Andy Fickman (SHE'S THE MAN), this likable Disney movie is hoisted up by the muscular Johnson, who finally gets a chance to showcase his winking charm and impressive comic timing at length. Although Johnson is no stranger to portraying football players (see 2006's GRIDIRON GANG), THE GAME PLAN is far lighter fare than his previous films, opening up at another door in his intriguing WWE-to-Hollywood career. The comedy also features an excellent supporting cast, most notably, the precocious Pettis, along with Morris Chestnut, who plays Kingman's thoughtful teammate Travis Sanders, and Kyra Sedgwick, on leave from her hard-hitting role in THE CLOSER TV show as Kingman's workaholic agent. Nodding to Disney live-action comedies of yore while conveying a 21st-century sheen, THE GAME PLAN hits all of its intended goals, making it one of 2007's most enjoyable family movies.

	Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
	Kyra Sedgwick
	Madison Pettis
	Morris Chestnut
	Andy Fickman - Director
	Audrey Wells - Based On Story By
	David J. Bomba - Production Designer
	Gordon Gray - Producer
	Greg Gardiner - Cinematographer
	John R. Jensen - Art Director
	Kathryn Price - Screenplay
	Michael Jablow - Editor
	Nathan Wang - Original Music By
	Nichole Millard - Screenplay
	Richard Luke Rothschild - Executive Producer

New York Times
"[T]he affable Mr. Johnson is committed to every moment....[W]ith some lively sequences, including an endearing montage that cuts between ballet and football practice..." 09/28/2007 p.E20

Sight and Sound
"With the bulk of the humour rooted in slapstick, Johnson proves an adept physical comedian..." 04/01/2008 p.59

Reel.com 8 of 10
As an actor, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson may have limited range, but he oozes charm. Disney should thank its lucky stars for that, for without his appeal The Game Plan would be merely the latest in a decades-long line of amiable, but mediocre and predictable family movies that the studio churns out like so many sausages. The Rock's sparkling presence elevates the indifferent material into a pleasant, occasionally even endearing comedy...The actor plays Joe Kingman, star quarterback for the Boston Rebels football team, who has just led his teams into the play-offs...But all that is before eight-year-old Peyton (Madison Pettis) shows up on his doorstep with suitcases in tow, announcing that she is the daughter that his ex-wife neglected to tell him she was pregnant with when the couple divorced...When they first meet, Peyton asks Joe a series of questions as a sort of crash course in getting to know her dad. One of the things she wants to know is what had been the happiest day of his life. They are interrupted before he can answer her, but the question lingers over the film, the answer obvious to everyone but Joe until the final scenes. This is not a movie designed to surprise, but as comfort food, it goes down pleasantly enough until the final credits roll. - Pam Grady