Review

The Sandlot

Common Sense Media says

Field of Dreams for tweens.
Age
8
Quality
 
  • Educational value1
    Kids are bound to pick up a few baseball-related tips and rules.
  • Positive messages2
    Full of nostalgia, the movie has positive messages about friendship and loyalty. Family relationships are more complex, but characters' intent is generally good.
  • Positive role models0
    The kids are typical preteen boys ("shut up, butt face" qualifies as a witty rejoinder), but they clearly care about each other when it counts. Even though the film is set in 1962, some parents will question the way that girls are portrayed.
  • Violence & scariness1
    The "beast" over the fence (a dog) may scare younger, particularly sensitive children.
  • Sexy stuff2
    The boys ogle teenage girls, and the camera lingers on the female anatomy. One of the boys tricks a lifeguard into kissing him.
  • Language3
    A few instances of "shit" uttered by kids. Lots of name calling and low-level swearing: "crap," "butt," "jerk," idiot" and other creative insults.
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that if this nostalgic baseball comedy missteps, it's in the treatment of Wendy -- the much sought after, slightly older "babe" who one of the boys tricks into kissing him. While the guys ogle her with typical preteen interest, the camera lingers on close-ups of her various body parts. Whatever the intent, the result is unnecessary. Family relationships are also somewhat strained (particularly between one of the boys and his indifferent stepdad), but friendship plays a strong role and comes off in a very positive light.

This review of The Sandlot was written by
Age
9
Based on 24 parent & educator reviews:
  • 46% say language is an issue
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Most useful reviews by all members

Kid, 8 years old
December 18, 2010
8
OK for kids & up
 
Excellant
I think that this is a great movie but there is some laungage but its not a real problem, I like the part when they try to get the ball from the beast and the part when one of them busted the guts out of a ball, maybe for other families it would be older kids but not our family its good for me, I like it alot.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
8
OK for kids & up
 
This is one of the BEST kids movies ever made. I absolutely love this movie. It's about being a kid and the things that they go through in grade school. Being the new kid on the block. making new friends, defending your friends, experiencing new things together, and then reminiscing about your childhood friends when you grow up. Even if you're not a baseball fan it's still something that kids can relate to and will be entertained by. If you haven't seen it, what have you been waiting for?!
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Kid, 11 years old
July 2, 2011
12
Pause for kids & under
 
OMG!
This pretty funny when Benny says ''Oh,****'' and then the Beast says ''Oh,****''!
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Adult
May 28, 2009
12
OK for kids & up
 
Classic Movie
I have showed this movie for 20 minutes each day to my middle school students in homeroom. Many have the students have not seen the movie before and they really come in each day excited to watch! They can relate to the characters and are mature enough to not get too giddy at the boy/girl stuff. I was very disappointed at the slight profanity in the movie- (sh** and cr**) because it is rated PG!! Sandlot could be just as much of a classic WITHOUT the language!
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Adult
April 9, 2008
0
OK for kids & up
 
Good but very strong for a PG.
CMS got it wrong this movie uses the S word 3 times and its only rated 8+. I think its more questionable the the sequel gut its still a classic. Not for young kids though.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 12, 2011
9
OK for kids & up
 
i donno..
i just like it cuz benny is super good looking
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Parent of 10 and 16 year old
December 8, 2010
13
Pause for kids & under
 
Okay for older teens with more discernment
It wasn't the sexualization of the lifeguard that bothered us - it was the sexualization of the 10 - 13yo boys.... Watch that scene, reverse the genders. Still okay? I didn't think so either. The rest of the movie would have been a good choice for a one-time family movie.
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Parent of 6 and 8 year old
July 11, 2010
8
OK for kids & up
 
Some kids are great role models, some not so much.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
0
Not for kids & under
 
Foul Language
I picked this movie for my two boys and was surprised at the language used. I personally do not think the "S word" is appropriate for a PG movie or for 8 year olds. I'm not sure I trust the reviews of Common Sense Media.
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Kid, 11 years old
June 20, 2011
7
OK for kids & up
 
Bad Review, Good Movie
Okay, the teenage-girl oggling thing wasn't really a big deal. The review didn't mention the boys use chewing tobacco then throw up!! I mean, that was the worst part! Really?
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