I know I’ve probably said it at least 100 times, but it bears repeating: as a parent, I’d wrestle a grizzly, “out pizza” the Hut and tiptoe barefoot across a minefield of LEGOs if it meant protecting my child. And that instinct doesn’t just fade with time. If I’m lucky enough to have grandkids one day, you better believe I’ll be the one sneaking them candy behind their mom’s back, teaching them sleight-of-hand like a backyard magician and throwing myself in front of whatever metaphorical bull life decides to charge at them.

That same deep devotion is the heartbeat of The Last Rodeo, a heartfelt and surprisingly charming film about second chances, broken fences mended with duct tape and hugs, and one seriously gutsy grandpa who decides to saddle up one last time — literally.

Neal McDonough saddles up as Joe Wainwright, a retired rodeo legend with a hide tougher than boot leather and a heart stitched together by years of hard living. Joe’s been out of the arena for years, trading bulls for bourbon and letting his injuries heal. But everything changes when he finds out his young grandson needs emergency brain surgery, due to a tumor.

Now, most folks in that situation might organize a fundraiser or start a GoFundMe. But not Joe. He dusts off his old boots, grabs his cowboy hat from the closet and heads back to the very ring that nearly killed him years ago. Why? Because when you’re a man who’s been thrown sky-high by a one-ton beast and still walked away, retirement starts to look more like a suggestion than a rule.

The Last Rodeo never slips into doom and gloom. Writer-Director Jon Avnet keeps the reins steady, steering the film with a mix of heartfelt sincerity, quiet humor and the occasional yee-haw moment that’ll make you smile. It’s like Rocky Balboa (if he wore spurs} meets Secondhand Lions (if the uncles swapped out lion taming for bull riding). Add a dash of dusty, country grit and a gospel verse or two, and you’ve got yourself a film that’s not just about getting back in the saddle, but why someone would choose to get back in at all.

The film’s strength lies in its characters. McDonough brings both physical presence and emotional nuance to Joe. He’s not just a rodeo hero in need of redemption — he’s a man trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Sally (Sarah Jones), and win back the respect of friends that long ago wrote him off. He has to deal with snarky Gen-Zers, a body that is broken, emotional scars and his own stubbornness. But it is clear he is set on a goal that even the most bucking bull can’t shake.

Mykelti Williamson also deserves mention as Charlie, Joe’s former best friend turned rodeo boss. He’s the kind of side character you wish was in every movie: funny, wise and always ready with a smart remark or unexpected truth bomb (usually in the form of verses from the Bible). Their banter and eventual reconciliation offer some of the film’s most rewarding scenes. We never find out what drove these two characters apart, but it is obvious that they truly were like brothers, with a bond that can’t be broken by time.

Visually, The Last Rodeo doesn’t skimp on spectacle. The rodeo sequences, filmed with a mix of tight handheld shots and sweeping slow motion, are genuinely good, even if you’ve never set foot at a PBR event. But more importantly, they serve as a metaphor for life’s unpredictability. You can prep, you can pray, but sometimes you just have to hold on and trust your grit.

If The Last Rodeo has a weak spot, it’s that it does follow a fairly familiar path: think of the classic Hallmark roadmap. You meet the characters, hit the dramatic turning point, wrap it all up with a feel-good bow. It’s a formula, sure, and the pacing can feel a bit sluggish at times, especially with a runtime that flirts with two hours. A little more backstory on some of the supporting characters wouldn’t have hurt either, as I found myself wondering how a few folks ended up in Joe’s orbit in the first place.

But here’s the thing: The Last Rodeo isn’t trying to reinvent the cinematic wheel — it’s just here to tell a heartfelt story, and sometimes, that’s more than enough. Like a favorite old pair of jeans — sure, you know every crease and hole, but they still get the job done and just feel right. The Last Rodeo believes in redemption, in doing the right thing even when it hurts, and in the quiet, steady strength of being there for the people you love.

I’m giving The Last Rodeo a solid four out of five stars. Is it a little sentimental? Absolutely. Is it sometimes predictable? Sure. But none of that dulls the emotional punch or the big heart beating beneath the surface. As a parent — and hopefully one day, a grandparent — I felt seen by this story. It reminded me that no matter how old we get, or how many bruises life gives us, we don’t stop fighting for the people we love.

And if that means climbing back on the bull, well… better grab your boots, Grandpa.