 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Gridiron Gang
- Review Date: January 15, 2007
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2006
Common Sense Media says
Inspiring sports action with The Rock. Teens OK.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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").
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.
What families can talk about
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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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
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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AGE
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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April 9, 2008
AGE
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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AGE
inspiring sport movie
Pretty well done football movie, with a good message. There are some good football scenes, the "drama" sections tend to slow it down.
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April 9, 2008
AGE
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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April 9, 2008
AGE
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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April 9, 2008
AGE
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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AGE
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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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Phil Joanou |
| Cast: | Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Jade Yorker |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 15, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | January 16, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some startling scenes of violence, mature thematic material and language. |
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