OK for kids 11+
Inspiring sports drama about Native Americans, lacrosse.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Crooked Arrows is an inspirational sports drama about a ragtag team of Native American teen lacrosse players and their reluctant new coach. It received its PG-13 rating primarily for comedic use of the word "vagina" (seen only in subtitles), but other than that, there's not much that's iffy for younger viewers. Violence is restricted to the lacrosse field, with pushes, slams, body-checks, and falls. Some teens are injured, but very little blood is shown. There's some mild innuendo and images of sexy (but clothed) girls dancing on a bar top in a casino. Adult characters are seen with whisky in one scene. Kids and teens will learn about Native American culture, including the fact that Native Americans invented lacrosse more than 1,000 years ago.
- Families can talk about Crooked Arrows' themes. How does lacrosse help the main character "explore his spirit"? What does he learn? Is it better to have a strong spirit than a lot of money?
- Does the movie have a realistic standard for boys' body image? Are there any lacrosse players with less-than-perfect bodies?
- Are the games violent? Is this kind of violence necessary in lacrosse?
- How are Native Americans depicted in this movie? Is there any stereotyping?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie celebrates community, family, and teamwork above greed and selfishness.
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Role models: The main character learns to set aside his greedy, scoffing, disaffected ways and begins to embrace his heritage and his community. He learns how to connect and work with others.
What to watch for
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Violence: Sports-related hitting, pushing, slamming, and body-checking on the lacrosse field. Some teens are injured, with dislocated shoulders and broken ankles. Very little blood is shown.
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Sex: The hero mistranslates a Native term, and it comes out "vagina." The teens have a lot of fun yelling this to each other (seen in subtitles) on the field. Also images of sexy, clothed girls dancing on bar tops in a casino, a male character is shown shirtless, and there's some mild innuendo.
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Language: "Vagina" is used fairly often but is only seen in subtitles. Also infrequent uses of "ass," "moron," "suck," "frickin'," and "wussy."
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Consumerism: Characters occasionally mention brands like Google and iPad. A character also references "CrackBerry," the nickname for BlackBerry.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adult characters are seen with glasses of whisky in a business meeting.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
SoooooooGood! Crooked Arrows by mmit911
The movie also touches on the Native American roots of the game, which are very deep and interesting. Most importantly, to me, as I have been a long time critic about how our world has placed our Native American Indians in the background with no attention, I mean, real attention, etc. and this feeling of mine goes back to when I learned from history as to Who Was Here First in America! The Native American Indians! We, our government, seem to have put that aside, care less, and place attention on slavery, thanks to Abraham Lincoln! The Native American Indians were here first, as they greeted us on to American land, and I noted this even in an Irish Novel "Ireland" where they, St. Fitzgerald and his crew wished to visit America, and when they arrived, they were "welcomed" by the Native American Indians to come and make a home here, but he(?) thanked them, saying they just wanted to come and see America. This movie, Crooked Arrows" reopened my vote for them to get honor!
5
Crooked Arrows by gadogs08
This movie nailed it head on. Its about lacrosse, but more importantly its about its roots. Where it came from and those who played it first. The movie takes you into the culture that lives around lacrosse. I recommend this movie for anyone who plays lacrosse, wants to learn about lacrosse, or is looking for a good sports movie!
5
Crooked Arrows by globalreach
This is about growing up and giving back to your people. It's about honor and respect for yourself, others, and the Creator. Joe Logan (Brandon Routh), who has it made in the tangible world, is spiritually lacking. His old world and new world ways do not mesh comfortably. Joe is volun-told to coach the local high school lacrosse team as a part of his spiritual growth and to obtain the tangible things he is after. So, his father (Gil Birmingham) and sister Nadie (Chelsea Ricketts) gather to support his spiritual growth journey. "Grandmother", his spiritual guide, acts subtly and not-so-subtly as his subconscious to help him stay on his path. Grandmother is played by Betty Deer -- she is awesome! Excellent movie for family viewing.
5
Crooked Arrows by nativemom4
If you love Lacrosse, you will love this movie. You will come out with a better understanding of the history of Creator's Game while cheering for the modern day warriors. I thought the story was very well done and you are drawn in from the start. It honor's the true tradition of Lacrosse and the people that brought it to us. Remember "It only takes one good shot!" Go see this movie! You will NOT regret it.
5
A Movie For The Home Library! by roswellmd77
There is so many things about this film; from the acting to the story line that I can't write it with just the right amount of justice.
So to keep it short, watch the film, sit back, enjoy and walk out a Crooked Arrow!
5
Crooked Arrows by patches301
Absolutely Awesome! The feathers are a motivator for my team. Looking forward to an awesome NEXT... girls lacrosse season with some Crooked Arrows drills!.....I want the DVD....NOW! :-)
3
Generic by the numbers sports movie by VideoXPG
If you've seen any "underdog unorganized sports team that somehow manages to win the championships" in the last 20 years, you've seen this movie. Each scene is ripped straight from the page of any of those other movies with some "look" into native american culture thrown in to differentiate itself. Still, it was executed well enough that I had a smile on my face and was rooting for the underdogs.
5
Crooked Arrow by skidiebutz
This movie has so much heart. Yes, the theme of a down-and-out team makes good has been used before, but never with the beauty and love in this story. The sense of history, and family in the Native American community brought me to tears. The opening scene is nothing short of awesome.
5
Great Film for the Family. A Legitimate Representation of Field Lacrosse. by bobbydefreze
This film is a must see for any lacrosse family or sports family in general. If you or your children play this great game, you will appreciate the attention to detail in all of the lax scenes as well as the fun banter between players and coaches. If you or your family are unfamiliar with the sport, you will be won over by the family friendly humor and intrigued by the speed, grace, and ferocity of the game of lacrosse. A little cheesy, as most sports films tend to be, but the movie is clearly targeting the younger audience. A task in which it succeeds. Most of the actors in the film are actual lacrosse players who were then trained to act, not vice-versa, which really shows through in all of the action sequences. The movie also touches on the Native American roots of the game, which are very deep and interesting. Overall very well done, has that big-time movie look and feel, and was very enjoyable for my friends and I, who are all in our twenties and are not parents, just love lax.
4
Good solid sports movie by NYPerson1
A nice, heartwarming movie, which the whole family will enjoy. Nothing particularly innovative here, but if you like underdog sports stories, this one certainly qualifies. I especially enjoyed seeing some actors who aren't in every other movie; it's nice to have new faces on the screen.