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List Price: $14.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 8902
Released: January 16, 2007 |
| Our Price: $5.58 |
| Used Price: $1.10 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
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.
Description 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)
Beyond Gridiron Gang at Amazon.com
More Football Films |
The Soundtrack |
Films about Underdogs |
Gridiron Gang (Full screen) Reviews:
Great movie 
2008-11-09 - I'm not a huge fan of football movies, but this one goes beyond that. It has its cliched moments, but overall, it has a wonderful message. And the fact that it's based on real events is even better. A movie I think everyone should see.
A very good movie about an important real-time subject
2008-10-11 - Dwayne Johnson did a very nice, sincere job in this part. The movie was a very believable, accurate portrayal of the subject matter.
Gridiron Gang
2008-09-18 - Great uplifting movie on a true story. I'm disappointed to find out that the cheerleaders were added in the movie just for comic relief. In the actual story they never had any cheerleaders. Just saw it this week. Now I need to see the documentary whenever it comes out.
Gridiron Gang Satisfies 
2008-07-15 - While the Gridiron Gang, like most sports movies, has game sequences that are unrealistic, the story is compelling enough to carry the movie. The acting is good and believable, and you end up caring for the characters. Inspirational and thought-provoking. Coarse language may make it inappropriate for younger viewers.
Profound and emotionally powerful
2008-05-27 - 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.
