In 1953, the Pinewood Derby was founded by Don Murphy in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Since then, more than 100 million derby cars have been made and raced and each car has its own story. What a thrill for derby lovers to get a glimpse of the real Don Murphy, who makes a cameo appearance in the movie! And a brief encounter with veteran star Pat Morita, who plays Ono Yakimoto, adds a quiet sophistication during a chaotic scene.

It’s all about winning! After the Cub Scouts are each given a pinewood derby kit to make with appropriate parental supervision, the dads obsessively take over the building of their sons’ derby cars and the competition is fierce. They completely lose sight of the purpose of the project … to provide a chance for dads and sons to work together. As the dads take over, the comical hysteria comes close to sheer insanity, which includes resorting to sabotage and backstabbing, while ignoring wives, kids and jobs! The boys are completely excluded and the moms leave home in frustration … with the kids.

When three of the dads, Phil (Greg Germann), Big Jimmy (Perry Anzilotti), and Blaine (Ross Brockley) discover that the fourth competing dad, Ace Montana (Marc Raymond), is a champion derby car builder, they break into his house and steal the winning model derby car he built when he was 8 years old that still holds the world record for speed. They use it to pattern their own version, which proves to be faster and the sure winner!

Derby Day has arrived. The tension is borderline explosive as the dads get ready to face off. The looks on the boys’ faces will melt your heart as they are left out of the competition and their own hand-built derby cars sit idle as the check-in registration begins. Wives with stern looks, and little boys’ saddened faces … will the dads come to their senses with only moments to spare? The surprise twist will bring you to the edge of your seat!

The Dove Take:

A hilariously funny well-developed script about family antics that will tug at your heart and raises the importance of creating high-quality memories with the young people in your life. Well-cast, upbeat throughout, and Dove-approved for audiences 12+ due to mild language, crude humor, and dubious behavior.