Second Chances

Review

Common Sense Media says

Tearjerker about a brave girl and the horse she loves.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this tearjerker film about the love between a brave little girl and a horse involves grieving the loss of a parent. The film begins with a car accident, and the lead character -- a young girl -- is found unconscious several feet away from the crash. Adult characters have the occasional drink. There are two scenes where horses and their riders fall and are injured.

  • Educational value0
    Not an educational movie, but kids might learn a bit about rodeos and horses.
  • Positive messages3
    In spite of setbacks and tragedy, characters work to overcome life's obstacles and challenges in order to succeed with horses, rodeos, and life.
  • Positive role models4
    Despite being injured in a car accident in which her father was killed, Sunny tries her best to get better so she not only walks again, but can take care of and ride Ginger, the horse that she loves. 
  • Violence & scariness3
    A car accident is shown at the beginning of the film where a girl is found unconscious, presumably thrown from the vehicle. We later learn her father died in the accident. Two little girls get into a brief scuffle in which they shove each other then fall to the ground pushing. A character falls off a horse in the rain and is sent to the hospital. 
  • Sexy stuff0
    Not applicable.
  • Language1
    While there is no profanity, there is some verbal bullying between young cowgirls. 
  • Consumerism1
    At the rodeo, advertisements for various car and cola companies are shown, and a saddle company's logo is shown on a box.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    At a fancy dinner date, characters sip wine. A character offers another some brandy. One character keeps a flask hidden in his coat, which he removes, unscrews, and sips. 
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What's the story?

After a car accident kills her father and leaves one of her legs crippled, 10-year-old Sunny (Kelsey Mulrooney) is devastated and depressed. When she moves with her mother to a trailer neighboring a stable, she meets Ginger, a stubborn horse who immediately bonds with Sunny. With help from rodeo legend Ben (Tom Amandes), Sunny learns to tame, ride, and take care of Ginger, and is inspired to work as hard as she can to not only lose her crutches but to enter and win in the rodeo competition.  

Is it any good?

 

For lovers of all-things equine (especially kids), SECOND CHANCES is a heartwarming comeback kid film. The acting is above average for children's movies (and there's even a cameo from legendary character actor Charles Napier), and there's enough excitement and drama both on and off the stable to keep the entire family engaged. 

For younger or less mature viewers, the themes of death and loss may be too much to handle, and while the story itself ends predictably enough (although it does take some unanticipated twists here and there), Second Chances should prove entertaining and inspiring fare for those who love horses and rodeos. 

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the responsibilities of caring for a horse. How accurately do you think the film depicts life around the stables and the rodeos? How does Sunny's caring for Ginger give her hope and optimism after the tragedy she has experienced? 

  • What is the meaning of the movie's title?

This review was written by Brian Costello

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This review was written by Brian Costello
Topics:horses and farm animals
Studio:Bridgestone
Director:James Fargo
Cast:Kelsey Mulrooney, Stuart Whitman, Tom Amandes
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:107 minutes
DVD release date:August 18, 2010
MPAA rating:G
This review was written by Brian Costello
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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