D3: The Mighty Ducks

The third time is certainly not the charm for the dying "Mighty Ducks" franchise. Making two films was a forgivable offense, but a third one is definitely pushing the point.

Probably the most telling thing about the film is its unoriginal name, which rips off both the "Terminator" movies and the first sequel, by using a number rather than a real name. And speaking of numbers, this lame and unfunny comedy is a strictly by-the-numbers sequel.

It's misleading as well. Even though Emilio Estevez, who starred as Coach Gordon Bombay in the first two "Mighty Ducks" films, is billed as the star, he actually appears for about 10 minutes' worth of screentime — and that's only because he was contractually bound to be in it so he could make "The War At Home" for Walt Disney Pictures, which produced this stinker.

Besides Estevez, most of the original Ducks also return in a threadbare story about the ragtag team receiving scholarships to Eden Hall, a snooty prep school with a tradition for winning hockey teams. However, Coach Bombay isn't following them because he's been appointed to be a coach for the Junior Goodwill Games (yeah, right!).

The Ducks walk into Eden Hall with a chip on their shoulder, especially Charlie (Joshua Jackson), the team captain, but they're in for a rude awakening. The school already has one great hockey team, the Warriors, and that team doesn't seem too impressed with our motley crew of misfits — setting off a game of one-upsmanship in practical jokes and hijinks.

Also, Coach Orion (Jeffrey Nordling), the Ducks' new mentor, has shifted the team's emphasis from offense to defense, a decision that doesn't sit well with the hot-dogging Charlie, who promptly quits the team in a huff. Of course, there's bound to be a tragedy that will bring Bombay back in (briefly) and make Charlie return as well.

Director Robert Lieberman and some of the actors (in particular, Nordling, who deserves much better) strive to make things somewhat memorable. Unfortunately, all their effort goes for naught because of Steven Brill and Jim Burnstein's predictable plotting.

You can probably guess without having even seen a minute of the movie that the Ducks square off against the Warriors on the ice not once, but twice, and that the best team will win.

Besides stiff performances from some of the leads (Jackson is particularly unlikable) and limp attempts at humor, easily the biggest problem with the film is that there's simply no suspense. The conclusion is never really in doubt, unless audiences are snoozing the whole way through — which could only serve to improve it. Younger kids may be mildly delighted, but adults will find their patience sorely tested.

"D3: The Mighty Ducks" is rated PG for hockey violence and some mildly vulgar moments.