Pretty well done football movie, with a good message. There are some good football scenes, the "drama" sections tend to slow it down.
Gridiron Gang
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Inspiring sports action with The Rock. Teens OK.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–14
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Gridiron Gang was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Parents need to know that while the on-the-field game/practice violence is typical of recent sports movies (though louder and more brutal), the film also includes street/gun violence. One scene has a player repeatedly trying to knock down his coach (an exercise designed by the coach). Two scenes show shootings with blood, and a couple of scenes show fights between players (they're quickly broken up by adults). Characters use harsh language (especially the n-word and "s--t").
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about how group identities and loyalties are formed, whether in the form of neighborhood gangs or sports teams. They can also discuss the ways that such new loyalties can replace lost or broken family ties. How does Willie learn to trust his coach? How are the kids impressed equally by the coach's toughness and his sensitivity?
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More on Gridiron Gang
What’s the Story?
The Rock plays Sean Porter, manager of a youth detention facility. Long frustrated by a legal system that sends kids through endless cycles of violence in the streets, their homes, and their juvie blocks, Sean is moved to action when ex-inmate Roger (Michael J. Pagan) is killed in a drive-by shooting within hours of his release from Camp Kilpatrick. Sean's solution: Organize the violence into football. Though his boss, Paul (Leon Rippy), is skeptical about spending the facility's scant state-issued funds on such a body-slamming venture ("The whole system," he notes, "is designed to make them avoid contact"), Sean and his whistle-wearing assistant Malcolm (Xzibit) assemble a team of hard cases. Because they're inclined to defend their turf ("He dissed my hood!" explains one inmate following a scuffle), Sean gives them a new source of identification. "This is your hood now," he asserts, the kids gazing up at him with a mix of doubt and hope.
Is It Any Good?
Punctuated by rough action scenes, GRIDIRON GANG is a familiar sports saga with kids in need of guidance and a coach in need of support from his institution. At once uplifting and banal, "based on a true story" and codified (not to say "Disneyfied"), the formula is also apparently endlessly profitable.
This time, it's also based on a 1993 documentary (clips from that film, also called Gridiron Gang, play during the closing credits and suggest that Jeff Maguire's script lifts heartfelt dialogue directly from the original speakers). The movie is also invigorated by The Rock (a.k.a. Dwayne Johnson), whose performance is simultaneously wry and warm. Charismatic as ever, he makes the movie's basic corniness slightly easier to bear.
Movie Details
Studio: Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Director: Phil Joanou
Run time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release: 9/15/2006, DVD release: 1/16/2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material and language.
Run time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release: 9/15/2006, DVD release: 1/16/2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material and language.
Our Members Say
See all 12 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
inspiring sport movie
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
The 12, 15 & 45 Year Olds Loved It!
Not for younger children. The opening violence made even Mom cringe, but it did give a good sense of what these kids are up against. It was predictable which I liked as a mother. I knew pretty much what to expect before I took my kids. My 15 yr old daughter and 12 yr old son loved it. I was cheering/crying/laughing, as well. Applause from the audience at the end. During the credits, some of the real "characters" who were portrayed in the movie stopped us, the audience, in our tracks. These are real kids who were changed by this real coach. His lesson of taking a loser to a winner is one I'm glad my kids saw. I loved the line, and I'm paraphrasing, "You're not a loser anymore, you just haven't figured out how to be a winner". My kids were shocked with the reality of "life" in a gang environment (and I'm sure it wasn't as realistic as it could have been, to get the PG-13 rating), but I believe it gave them a strong compassion for kids who commit these crimes at such an early age and how some creativity and dedication can, sometimes, turn it around. I definitely recommend it for the appropriate age group. The language is less offensive than they hear in Middle & High Schools. Worth the price of admission (and I think I've said that about two movies in the past year, and this is one of them). I've never posted a review before, but I think this one was worth it.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Very enjoyable movie. Very moving and emotional and yet entertaining!!
The Rock, in his best movie yet, played an outstanding, one of a kind role. The movie was very entertaining and very emotional. Giving us both sides of the story and an inside look at the real issues that teens deal with. I wish there were more people like the person The Rock played. With people like him, changes could be made and lives could be saved!
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Great movie..
This was a very good movie. There are some things to be worried about if a young kid is going to see it though. There is lots of violence. Multiple gun shootings, kid run over by car, gang fights,etc. There is also lots of bad language including an F-word and B-word. Continuous s and d words throughout.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Great movie!
I think this is a wonderful movie with a great message. I clearly shows kids where they don't want to go. I says that there is a way out.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
I Cried!!! I Laughed!!!
I loved this movie. I Cried at time, I laughed at times, I was in shock At times. My favorite character was the kid they made a water boy. He was always so happy. I would definately go se it again
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Gridiron Gang
The best movie ever. Jade Yorker is such a good actor. He is also a very strong character in this movie. I lauged cried screamed and yelled at the screen. Its a good message for Gang members who are young and gang members in general. At the start it was so sadd and depressing. 5 starz I loved it. The Rock did a good job. All the cast were on point and my fav movie.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
this is a great movie!
this gives teenagers who don't have to live in gang-torn invironments the truth and reality checks about how lucky they are to be with good parents and not have to worry that somebody from a gang down the street will chose to kill you for another gang-members "crime". i brought my little sister to se this and now we both donate clothes and money for escape routes for these types of children.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Gridiron Gang = Good Football Movie
This was an awesome movie filled with action. There was no sexual content that i noticed in this. There was a lot of swearing but it wasnt horrible. There was only one f word. This movie was the best football movie i have ever seen. It was better than Remember the Titans, We Are Marshall and other football movies by a long shot.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Hmm...
Most teens my age really seemed to enjoy this movie...I was kind of like hmmm...it was good but deffenantely does not rank with Friday Night Lights or Remember the Titans. The whole gang/thug thing just didnt really mix with football...but it was ok....12 and up because of some strong language for a PG-13
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
A Great Movie
This is a fantabulous movie. It shows to little ones and also elders what being in a gang can do. It shows how choices can bring consequences, wether good or bad. It's one of "The Rock's" best. I am glad that I watched this.
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