The Game Plan

What it's about:

The life of an arrogant professional football player is abruptly changed when eight-year-old Peyton (Madison Pettis) shows up at his front door claiming to be his daughter from a previous relationship. Joe Kingman (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson), the star NFL quarterback who relishes his carefree bachelorhood, is suddenly forced into fatherhood to protect his public image and high-paying sponsorships.

What we thought of it:

The Game Plan is your typical "movie in a box" family entertainment created by the Disney machine. It's filled with wholesome apple-a-day goodness and fairy cupcake sweetness.

While the storyline is basic and predictable, Dwayne Johnson's awkwardness in the softer role is precious, making him oddly likeable. It's heartwarming to see big ol' Rock prance around the adorable Madison Pettis. The Rock has lodged himself firmly in the genre of sanitary adolescent movies with the only pay-off – besides the millions of dollars – being Kids Choice Awards nominations. But in many ways it's better than going the cheap B-Grade action hero route. No offence, Jean-Claude.

Ten-year-old Pettis is no newbie to Disney. She has a recurring role on Disney Channel's "Corey in the House" and had smaller parts in "Hannah Montana" – and she's seriously cute.

There are some worthy comical moments but for the most part it's all squeaky-clean, high-polished family entertainment fit for an under-twelve Saturday night sleepover.

- Ashlin Simpson

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