Ed (1996)
Synopsis:
Jack Cooper is a talented baseball pitcher whose career is derailed by his inability to handle pressure, leading to his trade to a minor league team. His spirits sink even lower when he discovers that one of his new teammates is Ed, a chimpanzee who was promoted from team mascot to third baseman after the owners recognized his surprising baseball skills. As Jack struggles to adapt to his unexpected circumstances in the minor leagues, an unlikely friendship develops between the discouraged athlete and his primate teammate. Through their bond, Ed helps Jack rediscover his confidence both on the baseball diamond and in his personal life, proving that sometimes the most unconventional friendships can help us overcome our greatest challenges and find our way back to success.
Where To Watch: Ed
Parental Feedback
Ed offers a lighthearted, family-friendly comedy experience centered around baseball and an unlikely friendship between a struggling pitcher and a chimpanzee teammate. Parents should expect gentle humor and straightforward storytelling that keeps the tone upbeat and accessible throughout its nearly two-hour runtime. The film maintains a consistently cheerful atmosphere with themes of perseverance, self-confidence, and acceptance that are presented in an uncomplicated manner suitable for younger viewers.
Why Kids Should Watch Ed
This family comedy provides several positive elements that can resonate with young audiences.
The central friendship between Jack Cooper and Ed the chimp demonstrates how support and encouragement from unexpected sources can help someone overcome self-doubt. Children can appreciate the message that believing in yourself becomes easier when you have a friend who believes in you first.
The baseball setting offers an engaging backdrop that celebrates teamwork and dedication to improving one's skills. Young sports enthusiasts will enjoy seeing how practice and persistence play important roles in the characters' development.
The film's humor relies on physical comedy and the novelty of a chimp playing baseball, providing entertainment that doesn't depend on sophisticated jokes or references. This straightforward approach makes the content accessible to a wide age range.
Themes of resilience and bouncing back from setbacks are woven throughout the story as Jack learns to handle pressure and disappointment. These lessons about not giving up when things get difficult can spark meaningful conversations with children.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch Ed
Parents may want to consider a few aspects before viewing with their children.
The nearly two-hour runtime may test the attention span of younger children, particularly since the pacing is relatively gentle without intense action sequences. Restless viewers might lose interest during the more dialogue-heavy scenes focused on Jack's personal struggles.
The premise of a chimpanzee playing professional baseball, while whimsical, presents an unrealistic scenario that very young children might take literally. Parents may need to explain that this is pure fantasy and not reflective of how animals should be treated or what they can actually do.
Some of Jack's early struggles with confidence and his experience being traded to a minor league team involve themes of professional disappointment that younger children may not fully understand or find engaging. The emotional stakes are more relatable to older kids who grasp concepts like career setbacks.
Verdict: Parent Approved
Ed earns approval as a harmless, good-natured family comedy that delivers positive messages about friendship and perseverance in an accessible package suitable for most children.
What Parents Should Know About Ed
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Yes, the film models supportive friendship, perseverance through challenges, and maintaining a positive attitude when facing setbacks. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | The emotional content is mild, focusing mainly on Jack's frustration with his baseball performance and self-doubt, which are presented in a gentle, non-threatening manner. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | The film generally focuses on positive interactions, with any negative behavior being addressed through the characters learning to work together and support one another. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | Yes, teamwork is central to the baseball setting, and the friendship between Jack and Ed demonstrates mutual support and encouragement. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Children will understand that friendship and self-belief can help overcome obstacles, and that success often comes from persistence and having supportive people around you. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parents generally view Ed as an innocuous family comedy that delivers clean entertainment without concerning content. Most appreciate the positive messages about friendship and not giving up on your dreams, even if the execution feels simplistic. The PG rating reflects the gentle nature of the material, with no significant violence, language, or mature themes to worry about. While some parents note that the film's humor may feel dated and the premise is admittedly far-fetched, the overall consensus is that it provides safe viewing for children who enjoy animal comedies and sports stories. Families looking for lighthearted bonding time often find it serves that purpose adequately, even if it doesn't stand out as particularly memorable or sophisticated entertainment.
Official Ed Trailer
Why Kids Love Ed
Ed steals every scene with his chimp antics on the baseball field, swinging bats and scrambling around third base in ways no human player ever could. Kids love watching him zip through plays with wild energy, turning routine games into unpredictable chaos that keeps everyone guessing what he'll do next.
Jack's reactions to having a chimp as a teammate create tons of awkward comedy, from double-takes in the dugout to fumbled attempts at communication. The mismatched pair stumbles through practice drills and locker room moments that pile on the silly situations, making every interaction a chance for something goofy to happen.
The minor league baseball setting delivers plenty of on-field excitement as Ed charges the bases and makes impossible catches that defy logic. Watching a chimp outsmart opposing players and pull off trick plays brings nonstop laughs, especially when the other team has no idea how to handle a furry third baseman.
Ed's friendship with Jack builds through funny moments of teamwork, whether they're practicing together or getting into trouble off the diamond. The chimp's playful personality and Jack's growing confidence create a dynamic duo that turns every game into an adventure full of unexpected surprises and laugh-out-loud moments.