Gridiron Gang (2006)
Average Rating: 5.6/10
Reviews Counted: 100
Fresh: 42 | Rotten: 58
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.
Average Rating: 5.2/10
Critic Reviews: 28
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 19
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.
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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 266,268
Movie Info
The true story of the football team that proved sometimes second chances can make a difference comes to the screen in director Phil Joanou's tale of self-respect and social responsibility on the gridiron. Sean Porter (The Rock) is a detention camp probation officer who oversees the inmates at Camp Kilpatrick in Los Angeles and isn't willing to simply write off the violent offenders who have been placed in his care. Though their prospects for the future are decidedly bleak, Porter is convinced
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Cast
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Sean Porter -
Jade Yorker
Willie Weathers -
Xzibit
Malcolm Moore -
Leon Rippy
Paul Higa -
Kevin Dunn
Dexter -
David Thomas
Calvin Owens -
Trevor O'Brien
Kenny Bates -
Setu Taase
Junior Palaita -
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Maurice McRae
Leon Hayes -
James Earl III
Donald Madlock -
Jamal Mixon
Evans -
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Gridiron Gang Trailer & Photos
All Critics (109) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (42) | Rotten (58) | DVD (17)
Well intentioned, but way too corny, way too over the top...
... as Robert Aldrich proved in The Longest Yard, a football movie should be able to hit harder.
Top Critic... a lugubrious tutorial on the importance of being a winner.
Auds will respond, either to the uplifting message and the solid action sequences.
Gridiron entertains and makes a powerful point about the faults inherent in the penal system, particularly for youths with hopes of rehabilitation.
While grittier on the surface, Phil Joanou's allegedly 'true story' inspired Gridiron Gang is as soft and safe in its centre as any of the two dozen or so inspirational pigskin operas that have been released in the past two years.
It's a difficult balancing act between gang life and the sports film where inspiring moments can very easily become maudlin and wearing. Gridiron Gang slips and stumbles a bit in the second half but for the most part makes it across whole.
Dwayne Johnson pushes his emotionally charged performance so hard that you think he might pop a blood vessel.
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.
Despite the occasional mixed message and overwrought moment, Gridiron Gang is a sincere, moving film about a worthwhile subject
Watchable, decently made drama with some strong performances, but the script is disappointing given the real-life story behind the film.
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.
It's unfortunate that what was undoubtedly an inspirational story could end up onscreen as such a been-there done-that hack job.
...the film's various problems [are] exacerbated by a ridiculously overlong running time (it's 125 minutes!)
It's technically well-made, but lacks the writing or acting skills to make it work.
Gridiron Gang is enjoyable enough, but it is also manipulative, melodramatic and pretty much interchangeable with the recent basketball film Coach Carter.
The trite script waters down and trivializes its subject matter, almost to the point of negating any emotional impact.
At once uplifting and banal, "based on a true story" and abjectly "Disneyfied," the formula is also -- apparently -- endlessly profitable.
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.
Mostly the movie barrels toward you, stiff-armed.
If The Rock could clone himself to appear in juvenile halls across the country, the recidivism rate would get body-slammed within a few weeks.
But can The Rock pull off a dramatic role? Surprisingly, for the most part, the answer is yes, and the film is a success for it.
Another 'true story' inspirational sports movie, and you pretty much know whether or not it's your brand of jockstrap from that fact alone.
No sappy sports cliche or trite inspirational slogan is ignored.
Bad News Bangers
Audience Reviews for Gridiron Gang
Super Reviewer
The main reason people want to see this movie will be because of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and I can tell you guys that he certainly does not dissapoint. His performance as coach of the Mustangs was the bescoach portrayel I've seen since Buttermaker from Bad News Bears. It was emotional, and realistic.
However, If Dwayne gets my lead for best performance in the movie, Jade Yorker get's a close second as Willie Weathers, a former 88 gang member who shot his heavily abusive father after he tried to hit his mother, and ends up as running back for the Mustangs. He was my favorite character, and I found myself cheering for him all the way.
The story is great to. It is about a former NFL player turned coach named Sean Porter, who organizes a high scholl football team out of slightly misunderstood gangsters serving time at a youth correctional facility. The lesson is "Not everyone get's a second chance, so use it well" and what a lesson it is.
The football action was pretty good too.
Bottom line, this is the best football and sports movie I've ever seen, period.
Super Reviewer
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- Sean Porter: Everybody listen up! The Gridiron is a football field. On the Gridiron, we do it my way, not your way. Your way got you here. Whatever gang you claim, whatever hood you're from, this is your hood now.
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Movie: ID: 287865123 Title: Gridiron Gang Release Date: 2006-09-15 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 3 Status: 1
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