Gridiron Gang (2006)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Phil Joanou

Writers (WGA):

Jeff Maguire (written by)
Jac Flanders (film "Gridiron Gang")

Release Date:

15 September 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

One goal. A second chance.

Plot:

Teenagers at a juvenile detention center, under the leadership of their counselor, gain self-esteem by playing football together.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Juvenile Delinquency | Fight | Fighting | Shot In The Arm

Cast

Dwayne Johnson	...	Sean Porter (as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson)
Xzibit	...	Malcolm Moore
L. Scott Caldwell	...	Bobbi Porter
Leon Rippy	...	Paul Higa
Kevin Dunn	...	Ted Dexter
Jade Yorker	...	Willie Weathers
David V. Thomas	...	Kelvin Owens (as David Thomas)
Setu Taase	...	Junior Palaita
Mo	...	Leon Hayes
James Earl	...	Donald Madlock (as James Earl III)
Trever O'Brien	...	Kenny Bates
Brandon Smith	...	Bug Wendal (as Brandon Mychal Smith)
Jurnee Smollett	...	Danyelle Rollins
Michael J. Pagan	...	Roger Weathers
Jamal Mixon	...	Jamal Evans

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material and language.

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Ireland:12A | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41479) | Singapore:PG | Malaysia:U | Germany:12 | Ireland:15A | Australia:M | Finland:K-13 | Argentina:Atp | South Korea:15

Filming Locations:

Agoura High School - 28545 W. Driver Avenue, Agoura Hills, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Industries

Trivia:

Wells Root came up with the title for Lee Stanley when Lee told him about the project in 1991 and struggled with a title.

Goofs:

Continuity: Dexter and Coach are discussed Willie Weathers' being on the team, saying that they agreed that no killers would be on the team. However, earlier Kelvin Owens had said Junior (who was also on the team) thought he was the king of Samoa because he had killed a Mexican with a baseball bat.

Quotes:

Sean Porter: [to the team] You don't know how to spell 'Mustang'? You have GOT to be SHITTIN' me!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "MADtv: (#12.1)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Celebration

Ignore the cold-hearted critics

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.