Kicking & Screaming Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy who sells vitamins gets addicted to coffee and ruins children’s soccer because his dad is mean; shenanigans ensue.

🍿 Kicking & Screaming: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Phil and Buck Weston

Phil Weston, a gentle vitamin store owner, has always lived in the shadow of his hyper-competitive father, Buck. Buck owns a sporting goods empire and coaches the highly successful Gladiators soccer team. The dynamic between them is strained, reflecting years of Phil feeling inadequate.

Sam Joins the Tigers

Phil’s son, Sam, plays on Buck’s Gladiators but mostly rides the bench. Frustrated, Buck trades Sam to the Tigers, the worst team in the league. Phil, wanting to support his son, steps in as the Tigers’ coach when their previous coach quits, sparking a direct rivalry with his father.

Recruiting Mike Ditka and the Italian Players

To improve the Tigers’ chances, Phil recruits Buck’s neighbor and rival, former NFL coach Mike Ditka, as his assistant. Ditka introduces Phil to coffee and helps him recruit two talented Italian brothers to play for the Tigers. The team starts winning, but Phil becomes increasingly obsessed with victory.

Phil’s Transformation and the Bet

Fueled by coffee and a desire to beat his father, Phil transforms into a competitive monster, mirroring Buck’s worst qualities. He even benches Sam in favor of the Italian players. A bet is made: if the Gladiators win the championship, Phil will work for Buck. If the Tigers win, Buck will give Phil the ‘Pelé Ball,’ a prized possession.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Phil Weston (Will Ferrell): A family man and vitamin store owner who becomes the coach of his son’s soccer team and gets caught up in a competitive rivalry with his own father.
• Buck Weston (Robert Duvall): Phil’s competitive and overbearing father who coaches the rival soccer team, fueling the conflict and driving Phil’s ambition.
• Bucky Weston (Josh Hutcherson): Buck’s son and Phil’s half-brother, playing on the Gladiators, becomes involved with Phil’s attempt to win over his father.
• Mike Ditka (Mike Ditka): Buck’s neighbor and former football coach who becomes Phil’s assistant coach, adding humor and tough-guy coaching tactics.
• Sam Weston (Dylan McLaughlin): Phil’s son, whose transfer to the Tigers prompts Phil to coach, leading to familial competition.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Phil Weston: “I’m not crazy, I’m just thirsty!” – Phil yells this after being denied a juice box, highlighting his escalating caffeine-induced madness.
• Mike Ditka: “I eat quitters for breakfast!” – Ditka delivers this line to motivate the kids, showcasing his no-nonsense, tough-guy coaching style.
• Mike Ditka: “I couldn’t hear ya; my Super Bowl ring was making too much noise.” – Said when Buck taunts Ditka about coaching little league, Ditka reminds him of his own success.
• Phil Weston: “Delicious.” – Phil’s deadpan response to Ditka’s ‘I eat quitters for breakfast’ line, showcasing Ferrell’s comedic timing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $45,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $52,842,724
• Worldwide Gross: $56,070,433

💥 Kicking & Screaming Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie when I was younger and loving how silly it was! Will Ferrell’s coffee-fueled rage is classic, and Mike Ditka’s deadpan delivery is hilarious. Sure, it’s predictable, but sometimes you just need a feel-good movie about underdogs and family. The tetherball scene is still one of my favorites. I think it is the perfect movie for family night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Will Ferrell comedies”
  • “Families looking for a light-hearted sports movie”
  • “Viewers who enjoy underdog stories”
  • “Soccer fans who appreciate comedic takes on the sport”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some crude humor”
  • “Competitive themes”
  • “Brief scenes of comical violence”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While Will Ferrell tries his best, ‘Kicking & Screaming’ suffers from a predictable plot and relies too heavily on tired sports movie clichés. The kids are cute, but they can’t save the film from being mediocre.
• Common Sense Media: “Though uneven in its humor, ‘Kicking & Screaming’ ultimately delivers a heartwarming message about the importance of good sportsmanship and family. Ferrell and Duvall’s dynamic is entertaining, even if the film falls into predictable territory. Some of the kids jokes and stunts can be annoying.
• AllMovie: “‘Kicking and Screaming’ is predictable formula. It doesn’t work with ethnic jokes at the expense of children. The shopworn proceedings are meant to be freshened by the antics of Will Ferrell but are not successful

Audience Reactions

Will Ferrell and Mike Ditka’s comedic timing is great.: Most viewers enjoy the performances of Will Ferrell and Mike Ditka and find it to be heartwarming.

Story is great for children.: Many regular viewers say this is appropriate for families and kids.

Overall Consensus: While predictable, ‘Kicking & Screaming’ is a lighthearted family comedy that benefits from Will Ferrell’s comedic energy and features a positive message about sportsmanship.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Will Ferrell has said that ‘Kicking & Screaming’ is his personal favorite of his own movies. He filmed it while his wife was pregnant with their first child, imagining watching it with his son one day.”
• “Mike Ditka playing himself added a layer of improvisational humor, especially in his interactions with the child actors, often mispronouncing their names for comedic effect.”
• “The film uses the ‘Bad News Bears’ underdog sports movie formula, focusing on a group of misfits who learn valuable lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship.”

🖥️ How to Watch Kicking & Screaming?

You can find ‘Kicking & Screaming’ available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and possibly others, depending on your region. Check these services for rental or purchase options. It is also available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Kicking & Screaming, you might like these similar films:

• The Bad News Bears (1976): Both movies are about a ragtag group of kids learning to play a sport, dealing with a competitive coach, and learning valuable life lessons.
• Little Giants (1994): Similar in theme as an underdog sports movie where a group of misfit kids come together to form a team.
• Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006): Another Will Ferrell sports comedy about competition and family, appealing to fans of his comedic style.
• Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004): Features a similarly ridiculous premise and over-the-top humor, focusing on a group of misfits competing in a sport.

🛒 Kicking & Screaming Related Products

• Kicking & Screaming [Blu-ray]: Enjoy ‘Kicking & Screaming’ in high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Perfect for reliving your favorite comedic moments.
• Will Ferrell: Anchorman & Elf 2-Movie Collection [DVD]: Enjoy some of the greatest Will Farrel films with this collectors DVD set
• Officially Licensed Ditka Throwback Jersey: Show your love for Da Coach with this Mike Ditka throwback jersey. A must-have for any Bears fan.
• Soccer Ball – Size 5 – Official Size and Weight: Officially licensed soccer ball for play and practice.

🎧 Soundtrack

Kicking & Screaming features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Chariots of Fire” – performed by Vangelis

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Will Ferrell Funny Robert Duvall Story #shorts @TheDanPatrickShow

Ever wonder what it’s like to work with a legend like Robert Duvall? Will Ferrell spills the beans in this hilarious short story. Honestly, the way he describes their interactions is priceless!

Will Ferrell Shares Robert Duvall And James Caan Stories | 08/24/23

Want to hear some behind-the-scenes stories from the set of Kicking and Screaming AND Elf? Will Ferrell shares some gems about working with Robert Duvall and James Caan. You won’t believe what happened!

Will Ferrell Crazy Funny Kicking and Screaming Story #shorts @RichEisenShow

You HAVE to hear Will Ferrell’s story about Mike Ditka on the set of Kicking and Screaming! Let me tell you, Ditka’s hip issues made for some seriously funny moments. This is a must-watch!

✨ Rate