Gridiron Gang (Full screen)
by Phil Joanou
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Dunn, L. Scott Caldwell, Leon Rippy, XzibitDirector: Phil Joanou
Brand: Sony
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); French (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 125 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-01-16
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Movie Reviews of Gridiron Gang (Full screen)
Movie Review: Profound and emotionally powerful
Summary: 4 Stars
First and foremost, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is incredibly believable in Gridioron Gang. The role is not a big stretch for Johnson considering his history as a child with a distant father (Johnson's father was often away wrestling professionally), and as a former football player. It should come as no surprise that he completely nails the part, playing the role of Sean Porter perfectly; so much so, in fact, that the actual documentary footage of the real Porter was a near mirror image of Johnson's portrayal of Porter in the movie.
Sean Porter (Johnson) is a former football player turned counselor at a juvenile detention center. The job is daunting enough, especially considering that nearly 75% of those leaving the facility end up as repeat offenders at one time or another after their release. Porter sought to encourage the young men, show them that they have inner-strength, worth, and that they were actually winners in the game of life, not the losers that ended up in the facility.
The movie is full of cliches, and it's about as predictable as a sunrise. It's the typical underdogs-achieve-excellence-through-adversity-and-teamwork story. It's formulaic, and just like countless other sports movies. The difference, however, is that this movie has incredible heart. Johnson exudes powerful yet gentle emotion as the fatherly, caring, football coach who uses tough-love and the bonding of football to bring about both football and character results.
There are a handful of genuinely touching scenes, and I'll admit that it got a bit dusty while watching. My allergies were really acting up during the scene that the players buy flowers for Porter's ailing mother.
Gridiron Gang is well worth the watch. Despite the fact that I knew the entire movie by the time I heard the beginning, I still enjoyed it immensely.
Summary of Gridiron Gang (Full screen)
In Gridiron Gang, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson once again displays far more cinematic charisma than one could expect from a former professional wrestler. Sean Porter (Johnson, Be Cool), a football player turned juvenile detention counselor, wrestles with a seemingly insolvable problem: The vast majority of young men who leave detention fall right back into crime. Seeking a way to give these not-yet-hardened kids a taste of self-esteem and discipline, Porter persuades his superiors to let him teach the kids football--and then take on high school teams. Though based on a true story (documentary footage over the closing credits reveals that some dialogue was lifted straight from the real Sean Porter's mouth), Gridiron Gang is pure underdogs-overcome-adversity formula. A formula is not necessarily a bad thing; when executed with skill and commitment, fulfilling a classic story mechanism can be perfectly satisfying, and Gridiron Gang qualifies. But it's Johnson who carries it through, demonstrating--in the most unlikely of roles--a surprisingly gentle touch. Johnson manages to be manly without overbearing machismo, earning not only respect but empathy. --Bret Fetzer
Stills from Gridiron Gang (click for larger image)
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Beyond Gridiron Gang at Amazon.com
 More Football Films |  The Soundtrack |  Films about Underdogs |
Teenagers at a juvenile detention center under the leadership of their counselor gain self-esteem by playing football together.System Requirements:Run Time: 125 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG - 13 UPC: 043396163058 Manufacturer No: 16305
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