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101 out of 137 people found the following review useful: This movie was awesome!, 6 January 2006 Author: taylor-braun from United States
I just saw Gridiron Gang at a screening. It was great! The beginning was very violent, depressing, and scary- to the point where my friend and I considered leaving. It got better, though, and the violent beginning actually did a good job of setting up the story of the rival gangs. It was very well-acted, especially by The Rock. I was surprised because this is the first movie I've seen him in that I actually enjoyed. There was a good balance between the football aspect of the movie and the story itself. It wasn't just a "football movie"- it was about how playing on the football team was able to change the kids' lives. The ending was really good.
65 out of 74 people found the following review useful: A very good, touching movie!, 17 September 2006 Author: rlnutt (rlnutt@sbcglobal.net) from Texas
Well, who would have thought that a professional wrestler would become an actor... not just a star, but a real, true to life 'ACTOR'! Dwayne Johnson has done this and he's seamless with his portrayal of Sean Porter to the letter! The end of the movie shows several scenes of a documentary where the real Sean Porter is saying the lines that Johnson was speaking in the movie. The Rock makes those lines seem like his own and I bought into every moment of it! Some characters were from actual kids that were in the L.A. juvie detention center and others were obvious blended characters. Two of the main characters were adversaries at the beginning and they become close... very close friends. This scenario probably has happened in real life, but they are fictionalized blends of probably many. The producers even made the numbers on their jerseys the same, but opposite. One was 13, the other 31... in other words, we are the same, just the sequence is different. I don't know if anyone else caught that, but I found it effective.Overall, a very good movie with solid acting and a good script with a good ending! I recommend it, but the language is rough. No sugar coating the violence either. Not for kids, not even if the parents are sitting right next to them!
80 out of 107 people found the following review useful: Ignore the cold-hearted critics, 15 September 2006 Author: (johnny_betts@hotmail.com) from http://www.themoviemark.com
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.
53 out of 58 people found the following review useful: Realistic look at our juvenile justice system, 14 September 2006 Author: Douglas Young (the-movie-guy) from Memphis, Tennessee
(Synopsis) The movie is based on a true story of a juvenile detention camp probation officer Sean Porter (Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson), who is frustrated by the 75% recidivism rate of the teenage felons that he is responsible for at Camp Kilpatrick. Sean Porter, a former college football star, comes up with an idea to form a football team. Porter believes that football will teach the teenage inmates what it takes to be responsible, teammates, and be winners for the first time, not losers. Porter and probation officer, Malcolm Moore (Xzibit) become the coaches, and they only have 4 weeks to get a team together before their first game. The juveniles must give up their gang rivalries on the gridiron to unite as a team.(My Comment) You may think that this is just another football movie, but you would be wrong. This is one intense movie that gives you a realistic look into the lives and attitudes of teenage gang members, and their mindset that life means nothing to them when it comes to being disrespected by other gang members. Coach Porter was able to change their ways and give the young men a second chance, and they were better for it. You may be surprised that the Rock actually did a fine job of acting as Coach Porter. You must stay to the very end during the credits, because they show scenes from the documentary of the actual people. (Columbia Pictures, Run time 2:00, Rated PG-13)(8/10)
43 out of 51 people found the following review useful: Give this film a chance, 22 September 2006 Author: twalchusky from United States
I have seen a lot of people rag on this film because it has a wrestler in it. First of all lemme say something. This isn't the football movie to end football movies. The Rock actually plays his part really well as well as the other members of the cast. To totally brush this off would be an injustice. I had my doubts as well, not because of The Rock but because there are so many football movies that come out and a lot fail to keep my attention. I loved Varsity Blues and The Program. The Replacements failed to meet expectations and Remember the Titans was just OK. and don't even mention The Longest Yard remake.... This film is definitely above average. The presentation is handled well and The Rock proves he belongs there. He also proves that he excels in drama rather than being the action hero or the comedic role (although i did enjoy The Rundown). So take a chance on the movie and chances are you will enjoy the whole 2 hrs and some change that this movie is.
40 out of 51 people found the following review useful: Excellent, 18 September 2006 Author: vmastorga from United States
This was one of those, cry at times because you feel the pain, laugh at times and cheer the underdogs. It is very true that people need to adjust their thinking on juvies who make a mistake. After the do the time the crime is paid for and they, as well as adult offenders, deserve a second chance. I am a mother of two good boys who made a bad choice. I hope the movie showed them that the choices made will hinder you. I think the Rock and Exhibit were very good. I am glad my boys wanted to watch this film. There was an excellent message. I would recommend this film to everyone. You really get a chance to see the inner workings of gangs and what they are really like.
30 out of 37 people found the following review useful: One great film for 2006., 1 October 2006 Author: DarkVulcan29 (DarkVulcan29@aol.com) from United States
I mean this film outshines Invincible,which is of course is another true story. This film proves to be gritty and real as it gets. Dwayne(The Rock)Johnson gives a terrific performance, he proves to be an awesome actor, and not just an action film star. The film takes place at a juvenile detention center run by Sean Porter(Dwayne Johnson) who feels he is not making a difference with the young hoodlums who come in and out. In hopes to keep them in line, he makes them into a football team, so that most of these young hoodlums that hate each other, will become a team and stand together as one. At times this is not an easy movie to watch, but it is reality, you fell the frustration of these young men. The young cast do well also. I shore hope Dwayne Johnson will get nominated for an Oscar.
26 out of 30 people found the following review useful: When A Strong Man Shows Them The Way, 2 October 2006 Author: bkoganbing from Buffalo, New York
Other than some bad language, I can't see why The Gridiron Gang rated a PG. It's a really nice inspirational story about a man with idea to slow down the rate of recidivism among juvenile offenders.Based on the true story of Sean Porter, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson plays Porter a former college football star who thinks that if he can get some of the kids to organize as a football team in his ward of the Los Angeles Juvenile Detention Center it might keep them from going back to the gangs and returning to jail or winding up dead.The Rock, trading in on the name and image that professional wrestling gave him, maybe for the first time is playing a normal human being albeit a former sports star. No superhero heroics for once in this film, just a man with an idea who inspires a bunch of kids to not think of themselves as losers.Dwayne Johnson dominates the film just as he dominated the ring in his wrestling matches. He's got his own troubles as well, a mother who is dying well he's dealing with the problems of his juvenile charges. But he does persevere and he turns losers to winners.It's a nice film about what can be accomplished when you believe in yourself.
23 out of 25 people found the following review useful: good movie with inspiring actors, 17 September 2006 Author: asing004 from United States
This was a good movie. It is based on a true story about a man named Sean Porter a real live coach for juveniles played by the "THE ROCK." He wants to coach some 16 and 17 year old juvenile delinquents in a detention facility in hopes of making them change their violent and criminal ways. He wants to teach them team work and to take their minds off gangs and to also learn respect. Since a lot of juveniles return back to their gangs or prison again or end up dead. This movie does send a good message to the youth who are incarcerated. That they can become better people if they are given a second chance. The acting done by "THE ROCK" and "XZBIT" were realistic and inspiring. (8/10).
23 out of 26 people found the following review useful: Enjoyable for hope inspired, 18 September 2006 Author: Launchd-II from Central Coast, California
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.
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