Phil Weston has been unathletic his entire life. In college he failed at every sport that he tried out for. It looks like his 10-year old son, Sam, is following in his footsteps. But when Phil's hyper-competitive dad benches Sam, Phil decides to transfer his son to a new team which needs a coach. Phil steps in to be the temporary coach and immediately begins to butt heads with this dad over this new competition in their lives.
Ferrell is one of the film's few bright lights. It's a shame to hide that subversive beacon under a bushel of dully inspirational sports movie cliches.
– Michael O'Sullivan,
Washington Post,
13 May 2005
rotten:
A zero, but the title describes how the audience is likely to react, perfectly.
– Rex Reed,
New York Observer,
19 May 2005
rotten:
... barely watchable.
– John Monaghan,
Detroit Free Press,
21 May 2005
rotten:
This isn't the worst setup for a kiddie comedy, but it proves that Ferrell alone can't carry a film.
– Keith Phipps,
AV Club,
26 Sep 2005
fresh:
Will Ferrell has become the most unlikely embodiment of wholesome family fun since Fred MacMurray gave up film noir for My Three Sons.