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Gridiron Gang (2006)

tomatometer

42

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.

31

Average Rating: 5.2/10
Critic Reviews: 26
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 18

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.

audience

84

liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 266,268

My Rating

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

PG-13, 2 hr.

Drama, Action & Adventure

Jeff Maguire

Jan 16, 2007

$38.4M

Sony Pictures

Cast

All Critics (107) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (62) | DVD (17)

Well intentioned, but way too corny, way too over the top...

September 18, 2006 Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | Comment
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic IconTop Critic

... as Robert Aldrich proved in The Longest Yard, a football movie should be able to hit harder.

September 15, 2006 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

... a lugubrious tutorial on the importance of being a winner.

September 15, 2006 Full Review Source: Washington Post | Comment
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Auds will respond, either to the uplifting message and the solid action sequences.

September 15, 2006 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Gridiron entertains and makes a powerful point about the faults inherent in the penal system, particularly for youths with hopes of rehabilitation.

September 15, 2006 Full Review Source: USA Today | Comment
USA Today
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

September 15, 2006 Full Review Source: Toronto Star | Comment
Toronto Star
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

March 22, 2011 Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | Comment
ComingSoon.net

Dwayne Johnson pushes his emotionally charged performance so hard that you think he might pop a blood vessel.

April 25, 2009 Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | Comment
ColeSmithey.com

Inspiring sports action with The Rock. Teens OK.

July 10, 2008 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

A little more focus on individual dramas would have helped this loser-to-winner sports film.

April 15, 2007 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

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.

March 24, 2007 Full Review Source: UGO | Comment

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

March 1, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Journal International | Comment
Film Journal International

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

February 1, 2007 Full Review Source: ViewLondon | Comment
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.

January 29, 2007 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | Comment
Empire Magazine

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

January 17, 2007 Full Review Source: EURWeb | Comment
EURWeb

You know a movie must have been mediocre when you enjoy the closing credits the best.

January 13, 2007 Full Review Source: NewsBlaze | Comment
NewsBlaze

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

January 10, 2007 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | Comment
Reel Film Reviews
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Gridiron Gang

This is without a doubt my absolute favorite sports movie of all time. It had fantastic acting, an inspirational story, and some of the best sports quotes out there and fantastic character development. The main reason people want to see this movie will be because of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and I can tell you guys

June 14, 2011
Marc L.
Marc Lewis

Super Reviewer

It could have been a little more original, but I find that I could watch this movie any day!

January 13, 2010
KJ Proulx

Super Reviewer

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