Gridiron Gang (2006)

Regista:

Phil Joanou

Writers (WGA):

Jeff Maguire (written by)
Jac Flanders (film "Gridiron Gang")

Data di uscita:

15 settembre 2006 (USA)

Genere:

Crime | Drama | Sport

Slogan:

One goal. A second chance.

Plot:

Teenagers at a juvenile detention center, under the leadership of their counselor, gain self-esteem by playing football together.

Plot Keywords:

Fight | Racial Slur | Juvenile Delinquency | Domestic Violence | American Football

Recensioni degli utenti:

Ignore the cold-hearted critics

Cast

Dwayne Johnson	...	Sean Porter (as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson)
Xzibit	...	Malcolm Moore
L. Scott Caldwell	...	Bobbi Porter
Leon Rippy	...	Paul Higa
Kevin Dunn	...	Ted Dexter
Jade Yorker	...	Willie Weathers
David V. Thomas	...	Kelvin Owens (as David Thomas)
Setu Taase	...	Junior Palaita
Mo	...	Leon Hayes
James Earl	...	Donald Madlock (as James Earl III)
Trever O'Brien	...	Kenny Bates
Brandon Smith	...	Bug Wendal (as Brandon Mychal Smith)
Jurnee Smollett	...	Danyelle Rollins
Michael J. Pagan	...	Roger Weathers
Jamal Mixon	...	Jamal Evans

Alias:

Gang di Gridiron, La (Italy) [it]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material and language.

Durata:

125 min

Nazionalità:

USA

Lingua:

Inglese

Colore:

Colore

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sonoro:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Divieti:

South Korea:15 | Finland:K-13 | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | Ireland:12A | Germany:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41479) | UK:12A | Ireland:15A | Australia:M | Malaysia:U

Luoghi delle riprese:

Agoura High School - 28545 W. Driver Avenue, Agoura Hills, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Industries

Curiosità:

Gridiron Gang (2006) scored SONY an industry first, awarding a studio its first 10th No. 1 box office hit in a year.

Errori:

Continuity: The first time we see Junior's last name written on his helmet (inside the locker room), it is written with one capital letter and the rest are small letters. Seconds later, on the practice field, his name is written in all capital letters.

Citazioni:

Sean Porter: Choi, get in!

Movie Connections:

Citato in "Mad TV: (#12.1)" (2006)

Colonna sonora:

Celebration

Ignore the cold-hearted critics

Prepare to hear whining and complaining from movie critics who fall outside the boundaries of this movie's target demographic by a good 15 - 20 years: "This is so predictable!" "What a bunch of clichés!" "We've seen it all before!"

You know what? I'm not going to argue with those points. I don't deny that this is a by-the-numbers sports drama. "You can do it" speeches fill the air, inspirational music soars high, and anybody well-versed in this genre can easily call the shots. Come on, did you really doubt that there'd be a jerk opposing player that we'd be forced to hate? Are you naive enough to wonder if he'll get his comeuppance by the movie's end?

Gridiron Gang is a movie that understands who its audience is, and it plays them like a fiddle. But you know what else? I don't care. The audience absolutely loved it. Biggest crowd reaction of any movie I've seen so far this year. They cheered when the gang got a touchdown, they grimaced at every painful tackle, and they chanted for Johnny Betts to take his shirt off. Hey, I thought it was a little out of place as well. But who am I to deny my fans?

Now I'm not saying this is a movie of the year contender, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm not ashamed of that, and I'm not going to apologize for it. I'll even go so far as to admit that there were a couple of scenes during which I got a little choked up - the only time it's happened this year.

Yeah, I said it. You got a problem with it? My biker boots (size 11) and I would be more than happy to discuss the issue. If you can turn an indifferent eye to the scene near the end involving Rock's mother then you, my friend, are a cold, cold man. Or woman.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for inspirational sports movies, especially when they star an actor I like - and I really like The Rock. His charisma and natural screen presence are undeniable, and he even displays some impressive acting chops here. The man gives us real tears - from BOTH eyes. Take that, Ashley Judd!

Not every film has to be a deep, insightful masterpiece of epic proportions with layers and layers of social commentary and "vertiginous fluidity." Some movies are simply made to entertain. What's wrong with giving the audience something to cheer? You know, there are still a few moviegoers out there who want to go home happy and inspired.

If you fit into that category then you won't have any problem ignoring the familiarity of Gridiron Gang. The wonderful mixture of humor and drama will suck you in and have you rooting for these kids to overcome the odds.

If you've got a "Mr. Potter heart" then do us and George Bailey a favor and stay home. The theater will be more pleasant without your curmudgeonly ways.