Everybody's a critic: 'Kicking & Screaming'

Three stars (out of four)

This movie stars Will Ferrell as Phil Weston, a guy who's spent his whole life taking criticism from his overly competitive father, Buck. When Phil decides to coach his 10-year-old son's soccer team, he ends up facing off with Buck, who coaches his own young son on the most feared team in the league.

The children on the team get lost in the war between Phil and Buck as old scores come into play. We see Phil transform from a loving father and family man to a ruthless coach who'll do anything to win and impress his son.

This is a must-see if you have kids or are involved in any children's leagues. It can be a little corny at times, but my 9-year-old son loved it! This movie is very funny and somewhat predictable, but the two young actors that portray "The Italians" will dazzle your kids with their awesome skills, and everyone can relate to all the stereotypes that make up this unlikely team. There is a good family lesson for all in this movie as well: There is no "I" in team, and winning is a beautiful thing--but only if you can win with dignity!

-- LaRisa Brookins, customer service representative

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Two stars (out of four)

The movie "Kicking & Screaming" stars funny person Will Ferrell as Phil Weston, a good-natured, laid-back vitamin salesman who has a loving and supportive wife and a very well-behaved 10-year-old son.

Phil's dad is Buck (Robert Duvall), who coaches the top-ranked Gladiators little league soccer team, a team both Phil's young brother and his 10-year-old are part of.

When Buck trades his grandson to the bottom-ranked Tigers, Phil steps in to coach his son's newly acquired teammates to a championship.

Phil is trying really hard to rise to the task he has taken on, but turns into a coffee junkie who will do anything to beat his dad for the league championship, including losing sight of what is best for the children and himself.

This is a typical life movie where a child is trying hard to please a parent, and the parent is constantly harping that his child is a failure and can't succeed at anything he tries.

I consider this to be a fun family movie with some of life's little lessons that you can pick up on.

-- Willetta Brookins, administrative assistant

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Three stars (out of four)

This is a movie about relationships. The father/son relationship between Phil (Will Ferrell) and his father, Buck (Robert Duvall), plays out like sibling rivalry. Phil is still learning how to be a father to his own son.

Buck has issues with Mike Ditka -- don't give that too much thought. Actually, any analysis of this film is over-analysis.

The plot pits Phil against Buck as coaches in the local youth soccer league. Phil has never had the athletic drive of his father but sees this as a way to finally beat the old man. Most of the humor is derived from Phil's various stages of humiliation as he spins out of control with an unfamiliar competitive drive.

Predictably the plot leads to a sort of reconciliation, though we're not overwhelmed with the life lesson as is often the case with family comedies.

With many amusing moments, this is a fun film.

-- Bryce Eddings, credit manager