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Movie Review - Gridiron Gang (2006)
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(What this rating means)
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| Director: |
Phil Joanou |
| Starring: |
The Rock, Xzibit, Jade Yorker |
| Rated: |
PG-13 (for some startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material and language) |
| Length: |
minutes |
| Genre: |
Drama/Sport |
| Tagline: |
One goal. A second chance. |
| Studio: |
Sony Pictures |
| Website: |
Gridiron Gang |
| Release: |
September 14, 2006 |
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PLOT
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Gridiron Gang tells the true story of Sean Porter (Rock, The), the juvenile detention probation officer at
Camp Kilpatrick in L.A. County. Frustrated by the 75% recidivism rate among juvenile delinquents and the fact
that current procedures aren't "even makin' a dent," Porter decides to teach a group of young felons a few lessons
on hard work, team work, commitment, responsibility, and self-respect by turning them into a football team.
The possibility that the idea will work may seem impossible, but Porter and officer Malcolm Moore (Xzibit) will
consider it a success if they can change just a single life. Yet another entertaining inspirational sports movie
ensues.
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JOHNNY'S TAKE
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Prepare to hear whining and complaining from movie critics who fall outside the boundaries of this movie's target
demographic by a good 15 - 20 years: "This is so predictable!" "What a bunch of clichés!" "We've seen it all
before!"
You know what? I'm not going to argue with those points. I don't deny that this is a by-the-numbers sports
drama. "You can do it" speeches fill the air, inspirational music soars high, and anybody well-versed
in this genre can easily call the shots. Come on, did you really doubt that there'd be a jerk opposing player
that we'd be forced to hate? Are you naive enough to wonder if he'll get his comeuppance by the movie's
end?
Gridiron Gang is a movie that understands who its audience is, and it plays them like a fiddle. But you
know what else? I don't care. The audience absolutely loved it. Biggest crowd reaction of any movie I've seen
so far this year. They cheered when the gang got a touchdown, they grimaced at every painful tackle, and they
chanted for Johnny Betts to take his shirt off. Hey, I thought it was a little out of place as well. But
who am I to deny my fans?
Now I'm not saying this is a movie of the year contender, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not ashamed of that, and
I'm not going to apologize for it. I'll even go so far as to admit that there were a couple of scenes during which
I got a little choked up - the only time it's happened this year.
Yeah, I said it. You got a problem with it? My
biker boots (size 11) and I would be more than happy to discuss the issue. If you can turn an indifferent eye to
the scene near the end involving Rock's mother then you, my friend, are a cold, cold man. Or woman.
What can I say? I'm a sucker for inspirational sports movies, especially when they star an actor I like - and I
really like The Rock. His charisma and natural screen presence are undeniable, and he even displays some impressive
acting chops here. The man gives us real tears - from BOTH eyes. Take that, Ashley Judd!
Not every film has to be a deep, insightful masterpiece of epic proportions with layers and layers of social
commentary and "vertiginous fluidity." Some movies are simply made to entertain. What's wrong with giving
the audience something to cheer? You know, there are still a few moviegoers out there who want to go home
happy and inspired.
If you fit into that category then you won't have any problem ignoring the familiarity of Gridiron Gang.
The wonderful mixture of humor and drama will suck you in and have you rooting for these kids to overcome the
odds.
If you've got a "Mr. Potter heart" then do us and George Bailey a favor and stay home. The theater will be more
pleasant without your curmudgeonly ways.
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ODDS & ENDS
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- There was a gang shooting in the theater parking lot after the movie. Four people were killed.
- Not really.
- Based on the Emmy-winning 1993 documentary of the same name.
- I know a certain amount of this is fictionalized, and I was extremely skeptical regarding the team's dramatic
improvement. However, in their first season, the real-life Camp Kilpatrick Mustangs shook off some early losses
and really did reach the regional championship game.
- My softball team won yesterday in dramatic come-from-behind fashion: 15-14. Johnny Betts was 3-4 with 3 RBIs
and 2 runs scored.
- I recommend staying through the closing credits where we're treated to footage from the '93 documentary.
- As I watched the movie, I felt some of the speeches were contrived. However, as you watch the documentary
footage you see those exact speeches by the real coach and some of the players. I thought that was cool.
- The Rock admits that he was arrested 8 times before he was 14.
- That's nothing; Johnny Betts was arrested 14 times before he was 8. Who knew that being so hilarious really
was a crime?
- The Rock played football for the University of Miami and was a member of the 1989 national championship team.
Injuries hampered his professional career.
- Johnny went to the University of Memphis during a 4-year period where their football team went a whopping 17-27.
Indifference hampered his desire to go to many of the games. However, he's now a big fan of the program.
- The film was shot at the actual Camp Kilpatrick, surrounded by 120 real prisoners.
- Cast and crew were prohibited from wearing certain shades of blue and red that could be construed as gang
colors. There was a real fear that these colors could set off some of the actual prisoners.
- Johnny resisted the temptation of yelling out "88s rule!" in the parking lot after the movie. If you've
ever been to the Majestic Theater then you understand why.
- The movie's football coordinator, Allan Graf, has also created football teams for such films as Friday
Night Lights, Necessary Roughness, and The Replacements.
- Speaking of The Replacements, keep a sharp eye out for ol' Eddie Martel, AKA Sam Cain of The Young
Riders - Brett Cullen.
- The Rock was in Walking Tall with Ashley Scott who was in
Into the Blue with Josh Brolin who was in Hollow Man with Kevin
Bacon.
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MAMA'S APPROVAL
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In its unedited form, the language is a little rough around the edges for mama's taste - a handful or two of
G-d**n's and "s" words a' plenty. There are also a couple of instances of brutal violence that may shock a few of
ya. The PG-13 rating is warranted, and I'd recommend exercising good judgment before deciding whether your younger
kids can see it.
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TRAILER COMPARISON
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The trailer was all right, but it didn't really blow me away. The movie exceeded my expectations.
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THE GIST
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If you like your sports dramas to be inspirational and you don't mind a little predictability then you'll find
yourself rooting for the Gridiron Gang.
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