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Movies / On DVD / Gridiron Gang
Gridiron Gang

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Gridiron Gang (2006)

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Reviews Counted:97

Fresh:41

Rotten:56

Average Rating:5.7/10

Consensus: The role of probation officer Sean Porter fits Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson like a glove; however, the execution is so cliched, the youths' stories (based on real events), fail to inspire.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material and language

Runtime: 2 hrs 5 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Sep 15, 2006 Wide

Box Office: $38,432,823

Synopsis: It begins as an idea born out of frustration. Perplexed and appalled by the alarmingly rate of recidivism (as high as 75 percent) among his troubled young charges at Camp Kilpatrick, probation... It begins as an idea born out of frustration. Perplexed and appalled by the alarmingly rate of recidivism (as high as 75 percent) among his troubled young charges at Camp Kilpatrick, probation officer Sean Porter (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and his colleague Malcolm Moore (Xzibit) are desperately looking for a way to lift these young men out of the desperate circumstances that landed them at the maximum security juvenile compound. Most have been convicted of crimes within their communities in and around Los Angeles, and are now forced to live together in an atmosphere of mutual distrust and outright hatred. The multi-racial group's forced truce often explodes into violence. Camp Kilpatrick is seen by the judicial system as a last chance for these youths before incarceration in California Youth Authority, where they will experience the horrors of adult life in lockup. Getting these wards of the county to care about themselves and their lives has been a thankless task for even the most dedicated counselors like Porter and Moore. Too many of the young men in their care have gone back out into the world only to end up in prison or, far too often, meet a violent end before they can reach adulthood. As a teenager, Porter overcame his own personal problems to become a firstrate high-school football player. He wonders if the lessons he learned through discipline and team spirit could be applied to these young men and help them overcome the hopelessness they feel. He and Moore cobble together a team, the Camp Kilpatrick Mustangs, from among the residents of the facility, some of whom are eager to play, and others who are resistant. Porter's plan is met with immediate skepticism from camp director Paul Higa (Leon Rippy) and his assistant, Dexter (Kevin Dunn), as well as from football coaches at the surrounding high schools who are opposed to hosting convicted felons on their playing fields. The prospective team members share a distressingly similar upbringing, marked by abuse, chronic poverty and gang warfare. Willie (Jade Yorker), an African-American, recently lost a family member to gang violence. Kenny (Trever O'Brien), a Caucasian, came from a broken home. And 17-year-old Junior (Setu Taase), a young man from Samoa, has already fathered a two-year-old boy. Porter and Moore strive diligently to gain the trust of the team members. Slowly, through their unstinting dedication, the young men start to overcome their petty differences and commit to regular football practice, despite a myriad of factors, including the fact that the camp field is little more than a rock-strewn pasture, that there is no money for equipment, that practice often conflicts with their school classes and brings down the enmity of the other inmates who are not part of the team, which ignites violent outbursts landing key players in solitary confinement for days at a time. Nonetheless, some of the team members begin to demonstrate special abilities. Willie has a gift for running the football. Calvin (David Thomas) has the ability to tackle any runner — especially Willie, since they come from warring gangs in South Central L.A. Madlock (James Earl III) is a natural lineman, while Kenny has the good hands of a receiver. Others like Bug (Brandon Mychal Smith) and Evans (Jamal Mixon) are to lend their support as team managers. As the team progresses through drills on the hot and dusty makeshift gridiron, there are setbacks to be sure. Junior is seriously injured and the loss of his leadership is deeply felt. Willie and Calvin continue to scrap and wind up in solitary confinement. Even Coach Porter suffers a serious loss after his mother's health spirals irreversibly downward. Porter and Moore finally break through, however, and manage to convince one high school coach after another to play them. When the Camp Kilpatrick Mustangs prove themselves to be worthy adversaries, they earn enough trust to be allowed to travel beyond the locked gates of their Santa Monica Mountains prison. Through a season that tests their minds and bodies, the players learn self-respect and respect for each other. With that comes the realization that their lives are not hopeless and desperate, that if they can reach the regional championship game, it may only be the first of many accomplishments about which they can dare to dream. -- © Sony Pictures [More]

Starring: Jade Yorker, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Xzibit, Vanessa Ferlito

Starring: Jade Yorker, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Xzibit, Vanessa Ferlito, L. Scott Caldwell, Leon Rippy, Kevin Dunn, Brandon Smith, Trever O'Brien, David Thomas, Setu Taase, James Earl III, Jamal Mixon

Director: Phil Joanou

Director: Phil Joanou
Screenwriter: Jeff Maguire
Producer: Neal H. Moritz, Lee Stanley
Composer: Trevor Rabin
Studio: Columbia Pictures

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Aug 4, 2009

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  • Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars in this gritty and inspirational movie based on a true story of a group of teenage delinquents given a second chance to redeem themselves by playing football. Sean Porter (Johnson) is a frustrated juvenile probation officer. Most of the kids in his detention camp are either sent back to prison once they leave or meet a violent end when they return to the streets. Desperately looking for a way to make a difference, he and his co-worker Malcolm Moore (Xzibit, TV's "Pimp My Ride") devise a plan to teach discipline and responsibility through the game of football. But with only four weeks before the start of the season, Porter must overcome insurmountable odds to put together a competitive team. It's a season that will test their minds, spirit, and bodies as Porter teaches his players the principles of good character, strength through resiliency, and genuine respect for one another.
  • Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars in this gritty and inspirational movie based on a true story of a group of teenage delinquents given a second chance to redeem themselves by playing football. Sean Porter (Johnson) is a frustrated juvenile probation officer. Most of the kids in his detention camp are either sent back to prison once they leave or meet a violent end when they return to the streets. Desperately looking for a way to make a difference, he and his co-worker Malcolm Moore (Xzibit, TV's "Pimp My Ride") devise a plan to teach discipline and responsibility through the game of football. But with only four weeks before the start of the season, Porter must overcome insurmountable odds to put together a competitive team. It's a season that will test their minds, spirit, and bodies as Porter teaches his players the principles of good character, strength through resiliency, and genuine respect for one another.
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    Reviews for Gridiron Gang

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    Dwayne Johnson pushes his emotionally charged performance so hard that you think he might pop a blood vessel.

    Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
    04/25/09
    Cole Smithey
    Cole Smithey
    ColeSmithey.com
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    04/23/09
    Tom Meek
    Tom Meek
    Boston Phoenix

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
    11/20/08
    Brian Marder
    Brian Marder
    Hollywood.com

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
    08/07/08
    Jim Lane
    Jim Lane
    Sacramento News & Review
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
    06/19/07
    BBC
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The surprisingly effective Gridiron Gang will find its way into that harshly defended emotional endzone, even if they might not necessarily admit it to their friends.

    Full Review Source: UGO | comment Comment
    03/24/07
    Brian Tallerico
    Brian Tallerico
    UGO

    Despite the occasional mixed message and overwrought moment, Gridiron Gang is a sincere, moving film about a worthwhile subject

    Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
    03/01/07
    Daniel Eagan
    Daniel Eagan
    Film Journal International
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
    02/03/07
    Peter Bradshaw
    Peter Bradshaw
    Guardian [UK]

    Watchable, decently made drama with some strong performances, but the script is disappointing given the real-life story behind the film.

    Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
    02/01/07
    Matthew Turner
    Matthew Turner
    ViewLondon

    What begins as a series of pleasant revelations and a deft example of genre defiance is nearly crippled by cliche in its second half, but The Rock's surprising dramatic magnetism will hold you until the final whistle.

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    01/29/07
    Sam Toy
    Sam Toy
    Empire Magazine
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    01/25/07
    Time Out
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    It's unfortunate that what was undoubtedly an inspirational story could end up onscreen as such a been-there done-that hack job.

    Full Review Source: EURWeb | comment Comment
    01/17/07
    Kam Williams
    Kam Williams
    EURWeb

    ...the film's various problems [are] exacerbated by a ridiculously overlong running time (it's 125 minutes!)

    Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
    01/10/07
    David Nusair
    David Nusair
    Reel Film Reviews
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
    01/06/07
    Atlanta Journal-Constitution
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    It's technically well-made, but lacks the writing or acting skills to make it work.

    Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
    12/30/06
    Rich Cline
    Rich Cline
    Shadows on the Wall

    Gridiron Gang is enjoyable enough, but it is also manipulative, melodramatic and pretty much interchangeable with the recent basketball film Coach Carter.

    Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
    10/09/06
    Forrest Hartman
    Forrest Hartman
    Reno Gazette-Journal

    The trite script waters down and trivializes its subject matter, almost to the point of negating any emotional impact.

    Full Review Source: Denton Record Chronicle (TX) | comment Comment
    10/09/06
    Todd Jorgenson
    Todd Jorgenson
    Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

    At once uplifting and banal, "based on a true story" and abjectly "Disneyfied," the formula is also -- apparently -- endlessly profitable.

    Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
    10/01/06
    Cynthia Fuchs
    Cynthia Fuchs
    PopMatters

    The philosophy espoused in Gridiron Gang places the team above the individual, but the film is carried on the broad shoulders of the charismatic Johnson.

    Full Review Source: Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema | comment Comment
    10/01/06
    Mark Pfeiffer
    Mark Pfeiffer
    Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
    09/23/06
    St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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