Kevin Costner plays a Vietnam veteran struggling to deal with life and work back in civvy street, and attempting to stop a new war that springs from the rivalry between a gang of children and his own son (Elijah Wood) and his friends as they fight over a treehouse.

Given his recent past, it's a little hard for Costner to try to advocate a peaceful solution when his son's group is being bullied.

The child actors play well, but the tone is preachy and some scenes go over the top in the film-maker's efforts to provide climactic drama.