Inspector Gadget 2 (2003) (V)

Director:

Alex Zamm

Writers (WGA):

Andy Heyward (characters) and
Jean Chalopin (characters) ...

Release Date:

11 March 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Family

Tagline:

Inspect the unexpected.

Plot:

Inspector Gadget returns in this sequel to the 1999 hit, "Inspector Gadget." Gadget once again has to fight his arch nemesis, Claw.

Plot Keywords:

Inspector | Gadget | Based On Cartoon | Based On TV Series | Sequel

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

French Stewart	...	Inspector Gadget
Elaine Hendrix	...	G2
Tony Martin	...	Claw
Caitlin Wachs	...	Penny
Mark Mitchell	...	Chief Quimby
Sigrid Thornton	...	Mayor Wilson
Bruce Spence	...	Baxter
Alethea McGrath	...	Mrs. Quimby
John Batchelor	...	McKibble
James Wardlaw	...	Brick
Mick Roughlan	...	Jungle Bob
Nick Lawson	...	Squint
Siros Niaros	...	The Ninja
Kate Peters	...	Dating Service Woman
Brian McDermott	...	Mr. Morgan

Also Known As:

IG2 (USA) (poster title)

MPAA:

Rated G - Previously rated (PG) for some mild violence/peril.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-7 | New Zealand:G | USA:G (edited for re-rating) | Iceland:L | USA:PG (original rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Germany:6 | UK:U | Singapore:PG | Brazil:Livre

Filming Locations:

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Company:

Fountain Productions

Trivia:

Dr. Claw's face is never shown throughout the entire course of the film. This is a reference to a running gag from the original TV series

Goofs:

Continuity: When Inspector Gadget is having fries at the science fair, the fries box is full, then half-empty and then full again.

Quotes:

[at the science convention]
Inspector Gadget: Now I need you to keep an sharp eye out, Gadgetmobile, if you see anything suspicious you let me know!
Gadgetmobile: You mean like a Trekkie with a girlfriend?

Movie Connections:

Spoofs RoboCop (1987)

Soundtrack:

Up, Up, Up

Surprisingly good, and in many ways better than the first

I just saw this movie on DVD. Having previously seen the original, and been a fan of the original cartoon series, I was itching to see what was done.

Only one cast member from the first movie returned for this one: D. L. Hughly as the voice for the Gadgetmobile. French Stewart takes the title role from Matthew Broderick, and while Matthew's performance was one of the few weak performances of his career French nails the character dead-on. Tony Martin similarly nails The Claw over Rupert Everett's less-than-menacing performance. As for Caitlin Wachs versus Michelle Trachtenberg as Penny, I think the two are closely matched.

And in nearly every way, Elaine Hendrix is unbeatable in the role of G2.

Director Alex Zamm sought to bring the sequel closer in feel to the original series, and he achieves this with aplomb. The Inspector's enthusiastic idiocy, with Penny tagging along to bail him out, is the theme in what turns into a smörgåsbord of slapstick, visual puns, and other goodness.

Personally, I would have preferred to keep the "real name" of John Brown used in the first film (for scenes where using the name would have been logical, including the deleted "Penny at school" scene), but that's the only substantial change I would have suggested.

Not that the film is without weaknesses. Some "bits," such as the unfortunate toilet-cleaning scene, could have been substantially shortened, and a couple of the deleted scenes (seen on the DVD) would have helped the movie flow a little better. But on the whole it's a fun romp fit for the whole family.