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In Gridiron Gang, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson once again displays far more cinematic charisma than one could expect from a former professional wrestler. Sean Porter (Johnson, Be Cool), a football player turned juvenile detention counsellor, wrestles with a seemingly insolvable problem: The vast majority of young men who leave detention fall right back into crime. Seeking a way to give these not-yet-hardened kids a taste of self-esteem and discipline, Porter persuades his superiors to let him teach the kids football--and then take on high school teams. Though based on a true story (documentary footage over the closing credits reveals that some dialogue was lifted straight from the real Sean Porter's mouth), Gridiron Gang is pure underdogs-overcome-adversity formula. A formula is not necessarily a bad thing; when executed with skill and commitment, fulfilling a classic story mechanism can be perfectly satisfying, and Gridiron Gang qualifies. But it's Johnson who carries it through, demonstrating--in the most unlikely of roles--a surprisingly gentle touch. Johnson manages to be manly without overbearing machismo, earning not only respect but empathy. --Bret Fetzer
Synopsis
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (The Rundown, Walking Tall) stars in this gritty and inspirational movie, based on a true story about a group of teenage delinquents given a second chance to redeem themselves by playing football.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Gridiron Gang is based on the true story of juvenile detention camp probation officer Sean Porter (The Rock), who is frustrated at seeing the teenage felons that he is responsible for at Camp Kilpatrick either reoffending and going to prison or dying through their gang affiliations. As a former college football star Porter decides to form a football team in the hope that it will teach the inmates to be winners instead of losers for the first time in their lives. Porter and probation officer, Malcolm Moore (Xzibit) become the coaches with a tough task of getting the inmates to give up their rivalries and unite as a team.
Far from being just another football movie Gridiron Gang gives you a good look into the lives and attitudes of teenage gang members and the mindset that has been instilled in them that their gang is their life. By playing football Coach Porter gives them a second chance to make their lives mean something and the ending of the film plays like a documentary where the real people behind the story talk about how their life turned out after their time in Camp Kilpatrick. I think its only then that you realize that this isn't just another movie but a real life story of triumph and tragedy.
I think The Rock came into his own in Gridiron Gang and after seeing excerpts from the real Coach Porter I thing the Rock not only did him justice but did it so well that he made the part his own. Xzibit was also outstanding and I think these two made a great team. All in all a really enjoyable movie which stands out as `not just another football movie'.
Far from being just another football movie Gridiron Gang gives you a good look into the lives and attitudes of teenage gang members and the mindset that has been instilled in them that their gang is their life. By playing football Coach Porter gives them a second chance to make their lives mean something and the ending of the film plays like a documentary where the real people behind the story talk about how their life turned out after their time in Camp Kilpatrick. I think its only then that you realize that this isn't just another movie but a real life story of triumph and tragedy.
I think The Rock came into his own in Gridiron Gang and after seeing excerpts from the real Coach Porter I thing the Rock not only did him justice but did it so well that he made the part his own. Xzibit was also outstanding and I think these two made a great team. All in all a really enjoyable movie which stands out as `not just another football movie'.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm not going to lie to you. This film is heavily clichéd. Somehow though it still managed to strike some nerve in me. Some parts of it I've felt like I'd seen but others shocked me because of how uncliched and down to earth realistic they were.
I think you know the general plot of the movie. Teenagers in a juvenile school/camp get the opportunity to play football because they think it will give them a chance at success after they're released. The man in charge of the team is played by the Rock, and he does a fine job as the coach. I really can't think of anybody, based on this script that could have done a better job in the role. He brings realism and fun to the character, and just the slightest bit of depth lacking from his previous roles. Xzibit barley spoke through the movie, he was just a tag on for sales but did great for what he was given. The other actors did a great job of portraying what -I assume- life would be like in a situation like that of the young boys. They did make you realize how hard life can be for a lot of them. This movie will make you laugh and at the same time want to adopt the kids. It's sad to think of things like this actually happening in life.
The film is beautiful to look at despite the shaky-cam. The score however I felt dragged the film down. It's the cliché sports-film music. I think a lot more or at least something different could have been done but a good amount of football was shown in the movie, which I enjoyed.
Overall this is a pretty good film. Oscars? Not at all. Box office hit? It wasn't even close. Probably will go down with "Invincible." Popular with the general public? I think it will be because even though at times it feels so generic and cliché, after those times it feels real.
I think you know the general plot of the movie. Teenagers in a juvenile school/camp get the opportunity to play football because they think it will give them a chance at success after they're released. The man in charge of the team is played by the Rock, and he does a fine job as the coach. I really can't think of anybody, based on this script that could have done a better job in the role. He brings realism and fun to the character, and just the slightest bit of depth lacking from his previous roles. Xzibit barley spoke through the movie, he was just a tag on for sales but did great for what he was given. The other actors did a great job of portraying what -I assume- life would be like in a situation like that of the young boys. They did make you realize how hard life can be for a lot of them. This movie will make you laugh and at the same time want to adopt the kids. It's sad to think of things like this actually happening in life.
The film is beautiful to look at despite the shaky-cam. The score however I felt dragged the film down. It's the cliché sports-film music. I think a lot more or at least something different could have been done but a good amount of football was shown in the movie, which I enjoyed.
Overall this is a pretty good film. Oscars? Not at all. Box office hit? It wasn't even close. Probably will go down with "Invincible." Popular with the general public? I think it will be because even though at times it feels so generic and cliché, after those times it feels real.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As a mega wrestling fan I am always eager to see Superstars on the silver screen and I was not disappointed. The Rock gives a first class performance as the football coach who dedicates himself to trying to turn around the lives of the young offenders in his charge. He endeavours to turn losers into winners by taking them away from the gang culture through teaching them self respect.
Rocky is ably supported by an excellent cast. This is a football film I thoroughly enjoyed even though I know nothing about the American game. At times it is heart wrenching, the mundane music score adding to the atmosphere. It is the best film I have seen in a long time, well deserving a mention at the Oscars. Sadly the best films always go unnoticed.
DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!
Rocky is ably supported by an excellent cast. This is a football film I thoroughly enjoyed even though I know nothing about the American game. At times it is heart wrenching, the mundane music score adding to the atmosphere. It is the best film I have seen in a long time, well deserving a mention at the Oscars. Sadly the best films always go unnoticed.
DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Enjoyable movie
Not a bad film at all kept you watching right to the end, there was a lot of depth to the film which kept your interest.
Published 4 months ago by septimus-blake
It's a tonic for the troops.
Gridiron Gang stars Dwayne Johnson, Xzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, and Kevin Dunn. It's directed by Phil Joanou and is loosely based on the true story of the Kilpatrick Mustangs during... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Spike Owen
Very disappointing.
I love sports dramas, and I've played football so I should be this films target audience. So why didn't I enjoy it?
Put simply, it was dull and unconvincing. Read more
Put simply, it was dull and unconvincing. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2009 by Prof TBun
Gridiron...
This film was a real surprise- although I am a fan of Dwayne "The Rock". Liked the story- being based on a true one and found it inspiring - in a funny way
Published on 25 July 2009 by Maelstrom Fan
Very good
As a gridiron fan this struck and immediate chord with me.
However, what impressed me more, is it based on a true story. Read more
However, what impressed me more, is it based on a true story. Read more
Published on 23 July 2009 by Dodster
So good it could only be true
Based on the true story of probation officer and ex college football player Sean Porter and his attempt to rehabilitate a group of teenage delinquents. Read more
Published on 22 May 2009 by Mr. Matthew Sheen
Not just for boys
Having started to watch this movie without too much idea what it was actually about (husband's choice!) I was pleasantly suprised to find it a thoroughly enjoyable film. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2009 by Mrs. Lynsay Mills
Likeable sports drama
Gridiron Gang has lots going for it. It's not exactly just a sports movie, it's also a social drama. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2008 by Kerry Marsh
Hard-hitting real life story
Dwayne Johnson shows once again that his flamboyant wrestling character "The Rock" was easily transferrable into a successful movie career. Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2007 by Malcolm Clarke
The rock continues with good films.
The Rock chooses another good film to continue his so far strong new career. This is a good film. Not groundbreaking, but a good underdog story. Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2007 by Mr. R. A. Booth
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