Disney, now that it's run by CEO Michael Eisner, is REALLY losing it's touch. I can hear what Walt would say if he saw what Eisner was doing: "What have you done to my empire?"
This movie was made after Disney bought off DiC Animation City (but they're free from Eisner's clutches now) so they make a live-action movie based off one of their classic '80's 'toons, namely "Inspector Gadget". Novel concept!
And what do they do? Disney-ify it. Meaning: many changes are made just for the sake of changes. I liked the Universal movie "Street Fighter" because it tried to tie in the game with news headlines of 1994. This is just more junk, the newest brick-in-the-wall of the Disney empire.
A "Yahoo!" billboard falls on Claw's car and we hear the tune from the commericals. Stereotypical Asian music plays as a doctor holds up a pair of chopsticks. This is one element of a cartoon that falls flat in live-action. Product placements everywhere. Skittles, McDonalds, Apple Computers, etc. At the time this movie was in theatres, McDonald's had an "Inspector Gadget" promotion and Skittles candies gave away prizes tying in with this movie. Shameless, huh? All that missing was the mottos from the commericals.
Little nitpick I also found: while the cartoon took place in Metro City, this movie takes place in Riverton. (Just wait.) The Gadgetmobile's license plate, which is built by Brenda, reads Ohio. But at the Gadget vs. Evil Gadget fight, doesn't the bridge they're fighting on look a lot like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco?
This film just sinks under all it's gimmicks and ads. Nothing priceless, Walt wouldn't be proud. After paying little homage to the cartoon (THEY SHOWED DR. CLAW'S FACE!!! HOW DARE THEY!!!), the Gadgetmobile, during the credits, says, "This was my movie. That's right, MY movie. Even though we called it "Inspector Gadget"." If they called it "The Wacky Talking Police Squad Car Movie," no one would've bought it. It's almost like they're hinting at something. Like this was almost another movie before the cartoon's name was slapped on it. That's license abuse!
Bottom line: Misassembled. Go go get "The Iron Giant" instead.
This movie was made after Disney bought off DiC Animation City (but they're free from Eisner's clutches now) so they make a live-action movie based off one of their classic '80's 'toons, namely "Inspector Gadget". Novel concept!
And what do they do? Disney-ify it. Meaning: many changes are made just for the sake of changes. I liked the Universal movie "Street Fighter" because it tried to tie in the game with news headlines of 1994. This is just more junk, the newest brick-in-the-wall of the Disney empire.
A "Yahoo!" billboard falls on Claw's car and we hear the tune from the commericals. Stereotypical Asian music plays as a doctor holds up a pair of chopsticks. This is one element of a cartoon that falls flat in live-action. Product placements everywhere. Skittles, McDonalds, Apple Computers, etc. At the time this movie was in theatres, McDonald's had an "Inspector Gadget" promotion and Skittles candies gave away prizes tying in with this movie. Shameless, huh? All that missing was the mottos from the commericals.
Little nitpick I also found: while the cartoon took place in Metro City, this movie takes place in Riverton. (Just wait.) The Gadgetmobile's license plate, which is built by Brenda, reads Ohio. But at the Gadget vs. Evil Gadget fight, doesn't the bridge they're fighting on look a lot like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco?
This film just sinks under all it's gimmicks and ads. Nothing priceless, Walt wouldn't be proud. After paying little homage to the cartoon (THEY SHOWED DR. CLAW'S FACE!!! HOW DARE THEY!!!), the Gadgetmobile, during the credits, says, "This was my movie. That's right, MY movie. Even though we called it "Inspector Gadget"." If they called it "The Wacky Talking Police Squad Car Movie," no one would've bought it. It's almost like they're hinting at something. Like this was almost another movie before the cartoon's name was slapped on it. That's license abuse!
Bottom line: Misassembled. Go go get "The Iron Giant" instead.