The Mighty Ducks

I don’t remember fully my first experience watching this film but that doesn’t change the impact that it had on me as a kid. Being from Canada, “The Mighty Ducks” portrayed a similar sports society that I was growing up in. Also, this movie was made for kids. The success of this film inspired two profitable sequels and even an animated series. I also credit it with initiating the Disney sports genre. Most amazing of all, an NHL franchise that would later win the Stanley Cup was named after the film. Today, I can tell why the film was so popular. Even though I am now an adult, the film still resonates with me. It wasn’t just the comedy and underdog story, “The Mighty Ducks” is also a redemption story. In addition, Gordon Bombay’s story in the first film reflects somewhat “The Hero’s Journey” as described by Joseph Campbell. Many people may wonder why I like this film more than “Remember the Titans” and this review will hopefully illustrate.

The opening credit sequence to me is very important because it shows that the film is more than just as a family comedy. We immediately become sympathetic towards Bombay. He may be mean spirited as an adult but because of the opening of the film, we want him to be redeemed from the life he has chosen. He is a well-established character. The kids are also introduced well in part because of the practical joke they play with the purse. As mentioned, Bombay’s story is reminiscent of the hero’s journey. He is very reluctant to lead and teach these kids. Hockey holds such bad memories for him. The limo scene is a representation of Bombay “crossing the threshold”. He may have still some knowledge about hockey like knowing when it is safe to drive on the ice but the kids are more trouble than he imagined as they invade the limo. The screenwriting of this movie has some great moments such as Averman’s “Hum, Goalie, Goalie” chant. I like how the “Oreo Line” gets its name. It is an insult at first but the team uses it in the end. That is a great example of taking something negative and turning it into a motivating & bonding tool. The opening of the film has quite a bit of negativity but this makes for a better climax in my opinion. The scene in the dressing room after the Jets game is a big, dramatic plot point. Nothing is going right for Bombay and everyone hates him. He is used to people having no respect for him but he senses that something is different in this setting. This is probably the first time since that penalty shot as a kid where he feels at least some genuine, emotional guilt. One might ask what motivates Bombay to go and visit Hans after all those many years. I think that he wants release. Bombay has had enough of people hating or having no respect for him and so he goes to Hans’ because it is the only good place that he has left. By this point in the film, we learn that it wasn’t just the penalty shot that “destroyed” Bombay. His father died in the same year as the penalty shot and so we, the audience, understands his fall a lot more. Hans is a character that is important in “The Hero’s Journey”. Just like Gandalf and Obi-wan Kenobi, Hans motivates, teaches and instructs our hero in his quest.

Why does Bombay change? His flashback to the time with his father on the pond holds part of the answer. Bombay wants to give the kids on his team good memories like those he had with his dad. Also, Bombay realizes that he has actually become the person that he fears most: Coach Riley. He will do anything to win and has no genuine affection for kids. He chooses to change and not to follow anymore in his old coaches shoes. His talk with Hans, his time thinking and his apology to Charlie are some of the best scenes in the film. They kick off some other great moments. I also like the humorous scenes such as with the eggs and when the team cures Goldberg of his fear. A great writing moment in the film is when Bombay is pitching the Ducks name to the team. The first Duck cheer is probably the most important plot point in the whole trilogy. As a kid, I got so pumped when I first saw that scene. The inclusion of new kids on the team makes their winning streak more believable but more importantly, it adds to the entertainment. Tammy and Tommy Duncan’s skating ability gives the original team members something to aspire to. Adam Banks’ induction creates drama and with him, the team is able to convincingly make it to the state final. I like how Banks loves hockey so much that he will play on the Ducks rather than not at all. Of all the Mighty Ducks, my absolute favorite is Fulton Reed. The comedy and hope that is created by his shooting ability is a big part of what makes this film funny and enjoyable. The shooting montage before Fulton’s first game is very good. Lewis’ role in the film changes and that is appealing. He started out as just a chauffeur but he becomes a great sidekick for Bombay, almost like the unofficial assistant coach of the Ducks. “The Hero’s Journey” does not have just one speed bump but many however. The revelation to the Ducks of Bombay’s Hawk past and the misinterpretation of his sarcasm causes division. Bombay could have just gone back to being a lawyer to “keep the team together” but the deal that Ducksworth makes with the hockey league changes his mind. It goes against everything that Ducksworth himself wanted Bombay to learn about fair play and teamwork. Bombay set out to give the Ducks a better life on the ice and they deserve to have Banks on the team. If Bombay walks away, the Ducks could lose their chance at full glory. He realizes that his work with the Ducks is not yet finished. Charlie was right: Bombay can’t walk away from the team that he created. I love how Bombay turns Ducksworth’s own question back on him. It shows to the audience the silliness of Ducksworth’s ultimatum. One thing that I wish had been included in the story is the Ducks finding out that Bombay sacrificed his job for them. Before the final game, we relive Bombay’s penalty goal that he missed as a kid and this is important for the climax. Charlie’s penalty shot provides Bombay a second chance. Bombay fully steps out from under Riley’s shadow and encourages Charlie rather than pressure him. The speech that he gives Charlie is so inspiring and motivating that it makes the goal all the more victorious. The cool thing is that Bombay means every word. Charlie has done so much to help Bombay throughout the film.

The story is most of what makes this movie great but the other elements contribute as well. This was my first and is my favorite Emilio Estevez film. I also liked the performances of Joss Ackland, Shawn Weiss, Matt Doherty and Vincent A. Larusso. Ackland is the heart of this film. Along with the rest of the world, “The Mighty Ducks” introduced me to Joshua Jackson. I liked how Estevez put him in “Bobby” because it shows that the two actors have a real life friendship. I also like Jackson’s cameos in “Muppets from Space” and “Ocean’s Eleven”. It was cool to see Mike Modano in this movie. I enjoy screenwriter Steven Brill playing Frank at the start of the film. He has cameos in the other two Ducks films also. I classify the two sequels of this film alongside the original in my list of favorite sports movies because those later sequels are slighty better than others sports films further down the list. The musical score is one of my top 50 favorites. David Newman’s themes really spoke to me as a kid and despite his Oscar nomination for “Anastasia”, I consider his score for “The Mighty Ducks” to be his best work. The inclusion of Queen makes the film even better. Hopefully, my analysis of the story of this film explains why it is my second favorite sports movie. As much as I like “Remember the Titans”, “The Mighty Ducks” has a slightly better story. “The Hero’s Journey” is well incorporated and the cast & music are noteworthy. Go Ducks!

5 stars