There are so few family movies out there these days,so it was refreshing to see this one come along. It's the story of a young boy who must become a man when his dad goes off to war and doesn't return. A greedy developer(played superbly by Kevin Sorbo)tries to get the bank to foreclose on the family's farm,but just when things look hopeless,along comes a feisty mule named Jackie A,who just happens to talk. Together,Tommy & Jackie go against the bullies who have made his life miserable. Tommy learns that you can do anything you set your mind to,no matter what anyone tells you! I would recommend this for the whole family!

This movie is your typical inane kids' fare but there were a few funny moments, especially involving the talking mule. The lead boy actors are mostly newcomers but do a decent job. There's nothing objectionable about the film so it's okay to let your young children see it. In fact, I think they'll enjoy it. If you have a young teen girl, she might be especially interested in the young romance sidebar (involving Tommy's teen sister) along with the handsome young men featured in the film. Kevin Sorbo (from "The O.C." and "Psych") is probably the only face you'll recognize in this movie and he plays a very silly dad who is trying to force Tommy's mother into selling the property so he can profit from it. I've seen worse films, so perhaps a rental viewing is worth your time.

Tommy Braxxton (Grant Barker) loved his father, a champion horse rider. Alas, Mr. Braxxton was a major in the Reserves and he died overseas. Although Mrs. Braxxton tries to hold the family together money is tight and she eventually has to sell all of their horses. Tommy is devastated. Moreover, Tommy's relative poverty invites some of his classmates to bully and mock him. The young boy's one true friend is his dog, Major, an extremely smart German Shepherd. Tom's slightly older sister is hoping to go out on her first date, mostly. However, one day, Tommy is invited to a kids party by a large ranch owner, Mr. Daviss (Kevin Sorbo),who is trying to convince Tommy's mother to sell her property to him. Once at the festivities, Tom hides in a barn during a game and is hit on the head by a board. My, what stars float around the young lad's head! Even more astonishing, a mule named Jackie (voiced by Ice-T) starts to talk to him! Wow, are the guests surprised when Tommy comes out riding the mule and doing tricks! In fact, a local rodeo owner invited Tom to compete in a sort-of steeplechase in a few weeks. It becomes very important to Tommy for, one, there is prize money and, two, he can show up the guys that have been bullying him! Just before the race, the mule stops talking! Will Tom be able to win the prize? This very enjoyable family film proves that, at times, mules rule! Who knew that mules could run races and do snazzy maneuvers? Not this viewer! The cast, headed by Barker, is quite fine, with Sorbo giving a funny performance as the insipid Mr. Daviss. The western scenery is lovely as well. Want a family movie that is comic, inspirational, and celebrates animals? This mule is a jewel!