“The Mighty Ducks” is just one in a long line of “Bad News Bears” wannabes that pits a crotchety man with a bunch of misfit athletes to use sports as a form of self realization. Thankfully “The Mighty Ducks” is one of the best of the bunch, choosing hockey this time to help a group of smart aleck kids come of age. There’s also Emilio Estevez who is a cynical businessman with the heart of a hockey player, who finds that he still loves the game despite his regrets.
After a drunk driving incident, businessman Gordon Bombay is given a chance by his boss to redeem himself and keep his job. He’s offered a chance to coach the district five peewee hockey team made up mostly of delinquent and under achieving students, all of whom love hockey in their own right. “The Mighty Ducks” is comprised of interesting and very entertaining young characters, all of whom have their own abilities on the ice, as well as their own personal back stories that help define “The Mighty Ducks.” Thankfully, while the movie itself does adhere to the idea of giving its child characters overly cloying personalities, they also manage to display very down to Earth human sides.
Thus, they’re often flawed and charming individuals with their own goals and missions for the game of hockey; Joshua Jackson is very good as the team’s unofficial leader Charlie, who is struggling in school and trying to help his well meaning single mother. There’s also Elden Henson as the team’s strong arm, Fulton, whose rocket fire puck shot makes him the secret weapon of the group. The seasoned cast adds a lot of interesting friction to a movie that could have been abundant with attempts to pander to younger audiences, casting Lane Smith as the film’s rival to Gordon. Smith is the epitome of the coach that takes the sport so seriously, he’ll do whatever it takes to win.
Joss Ackland is also very good as Gordon’s hockey mentor Hans, and MC Gainey is very underrated as Gordon’s driver and friend Lewis. The most interesting drama stems from the clashing between the adults, all of whom have something to prove, and or gain with this battle between the rising status of the Ducks and their main nemeses, the Hawks. While “The Mighty Ducks” boasts some interesting drama, it’s also a riveting action film, with fine editing that depict some really fun hockey action on the ice. The final game in particular is still a blast. “The Mighty Ducks” is a pleasing and entertaining sports film, and one that can be appreciated by a wider audience thanks to its solid writing, and strong performances.