Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: this movie exists solely because Disney owns the rights and needed content for their direct-to-video pipeline circa 2005. With a 4.6/10 on IMDb and 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences agree—this is a pale imitation of a beloved classic.

The original Sandlot works because it captured something genuine about childhood summers, friendship, and baseball. This sequel copies the homework but doesn't understand the assignment. Same structure (new kids, scary dog, retrieval mission), zero heart.

If your kid is desperate for baseball movies, show them the original Sandlot, then A League of Their Own, then literally any Little League game happening in your town. All will be more rewarding than this. The only reason this doesn't score lower is that it's technically competent and won't traumatize anyone—it's just aggressively mediocre.

The WISE score reflects reality: this is filler content that won't hurt your kid but won't help them either. It's the cinematic equivalent of empty calories.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-11 who are specifically looking for baseball-themed content and haven't discovered the original 1993 film yet. Once kids hit middle school, this will feel painfully juvenile and derivative.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

Features kids working together, playing baseball, and overcoming fears. Models basic friendship and cooperation, though lacks the genuine heart and character development of the original. The tone is generally positive but feels manufactured rather than earned.

Imaginative

35

A direct-to-video sequel that recycles the exact same plot structure as the original without adding anything new or creative. The 'Great Fear' dog is just a retread of 'The Beast.' No originality, no fresh perspective, no invitation to think differently about anything. It's paint-by-numbers nostalgia cash-grab filmmaking.

Safe

82

Clean family content appropriate for the target age (Common Sense Media: age 9). No violence, sexual content, or strong language. Some mild peril with the dog scenario but nothing traumatic. Safe and predictable throughout.

Enriching

38

Minimal enrichment value. While it touches on themes of friendship and facing fears, it does so in the most superficial way possible. The baseball elements are there but don't teach much about the sport or teamwork in any meaningful way. Kids won't walk away with new insights, skills, or perspectives—just 78 minutes they'll never get back.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Safe, clean content for elementary-aged kids who've exhausted other baseball movies
Introduces a new generation to the basic Sandlot premise (if they somehow haven't seen the infinitely better original)
Short runtime means the pain ends quickly
Features a girl on the baseball team, which is a minor improvement over the original's all-boys lineup

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What to Watch For

This is a direct-to-video sequel made 12 years after the original—expect significantly lower production quality and charm
Kids who've seen the original will immediately recognize this as the exact same plot with different actors
The nostalgia factor only works if you're nostalgic for 2005, which... no one is

Conversation Starters

"Have you seen the original Sandlot? How does this one compare?"
"What would you do if you hit a baseball into a scary neighbor's yard?"
"The movie shows kids playing outside all summer—what would your perfect summer day look like?"
"Why do you think they added a girl to the team in this version?"

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The Sandlot 2