Gridiron Gang (2006)

Director:

Phil Joanou

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

15 September 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

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:

Remake | Fight | Shot In The Arm | American Football | Fighting

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

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

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

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Columbia Pictures Industries

Trivia:

Though portrayed as the antagonist of the film, the real Paul Higa was one of the biggest advocates of the program.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the playoff game, when Willie Weathers is receiving the kickoff at the start of the game. He is wearing under armor, but later throughout the whole game he isn't.

Quotes:

[from trailer]
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.

Movie Connections:

References Madden NFL 94 (1993) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Celebration

Enjoyable for hope inspired

For an L.A. native, disgusted with what has happened to a very influential and potentially great city, knowing that there are attempts to show alternate ways of life to the gang-riddled youth is in itself hopeful. The film may seem formula-like, however it presents a true story in the trappings of such formula without the often seriously candy-coated drippings of maudlin ways. There are good performances here, and including but not limited to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who comes close to but never totally dominates what is an ensemble of future stars. This is not only a youths-gone-bad movie and sports as panacea film but a look at how, on occasion, the right intentions can override the wrong pursuits.