The Rocket

Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Focus

Disney has always been a marketing machine, but there has been an influx of young, teen superstars popping their way out of that machine the past few years.

With tween juggernauts like the made-for-TV pop star Miley Cyrus ("Hanna Montana"), Kyle Massey ("Cory in the House") and those crazy "High School Musical" kids, Disney is very close to, if not already celebrating, taking over the world.

Now that hit-making machine goes head-to-head with one of the most popular sports entertainers the world has ever seen, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starring in Disney's latest film, "The Gameplan."

Johnson plays Joe "The King" Kingman, quarterback for the faux professional football franchise, the Boston Rebels.

Kingman's selfish play on the field has bred an attitude that has made him a lonely, self-centered jerk. He keeps several different supermodel girlfriends, throws late-night parties and makes fun of his family-man wide receiver.

Enter one of Disney's future queens of the tween scene, Madison Pettis ("Cory in the House"), as Kingman's somewhat-illegitimate daughter that he never knew about.

Channeling a little bit of "Curly Sue's" Alisan Porter, Peyton (Pettis) is a sassy, sweet darling that spends the whole movie chipping away at the mountain of a man Kingman is.

Her tactics include tampering with Kingman's "Cribs"-caliber bachelor pad by stealing his bed, pouring bottles of bubble bath into his super shower and adding a special touch to his wardrobe and priceless memorabilia.

All of Peyton's methods require Johnson to display his charismatic, comedic chops that have made him a star.

When Kingman has an allergic reaction to some cinnamon cookies and has to cut some promotional spots for his team, you will find it impossible not to laugh.

The collection of bit players that make up the rest of the Rebels add their own funny moments into the film as well. With muscle-bound regulars like "Dodgeball's" Jamal Duff, you expect to see big hits, but you end up with even bigger laughs. Look out for a ballet recital that turns the gridiron crew into a bunch of weeping pansies.

With all of the completions the film throws, there are bound to be a few interceptions. Being a family-friendly film, "The Gameplan" dances around a few of the more controversial routes it could have taken.

Peyton could have been an illegitimate child from just a random Rebel-groupie hook-up, but she is the product of the last consummation of Kingman's failed marriage. Also, the legality of 8-year-old Peyton being present at an alcohol-heavy, after-hours nightclub is never explored.

While the men shine in this film, the women prove why football is a man's domain. Although she has found critical success with "The Closer," Kyra Sedgwick is an annoyingly bad sports agent. Playing Peyton's ballet instructor is the poor man's Eva Longoria: Roselyn Sanchez. Sanchez offers little more than a nice set of legs to the film.

Even with a little too much sap toward the end, "The Gameplan" is a Disney film, and they know what they're doing when it comes to family films.

Kingman's character is extremely well-developed. From his obsession with Elvis to his signature catch phrases, you'll feel like you know him after the first 15 minutes.

With any Disney family film, there is going to be a tear-jerking twist, and "The Gameplan" is no different. Bring your tissues to this one, folks.

Johnson continues to be a bankable star and gives a great, lovable performance in this film. Meanwhile, Pettis proves she is Disney's next starlet. Don't expect to see a classic football movie, because there is very little football action, but if you are a fan of Johnson and Disney or you want to take the kids to the movies, "The Gameplan" is for you.

This helmet-to-helmet hit proves that with the Disney marketing machine and the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, you'll get nothing short of a touchdown.

Ivan Moore is a senior communication major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

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