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Gridiron Gang [Blu-ray] [2007] [US Import] | ![Gridiron Gang [Blu-ray] [2007] [US Import]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511cyaVLaoL._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Phil Joanou
Actors: Dwayne Johnson, Xzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, Leon Rippy, Kevin Dunn
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
Buy New: £15.69
New (13) Used (4) from £14.37
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 98593
Format: Colour, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Chinese (Subtitled), Dutch (Subtitled), Korean (Subtitled), Arabic (Subtitled), Thai (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), French (Dubbed)
Media: Blu-ray
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 125
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3
Dimensions (in): 6.6 x 5.3 x 0.5
MPN: 17020
UPC: 043396170209
EAN: 0043396170209
ASIN: B000KLQUWQ
Theatrical Release Date: September 15, 2006
Release Date: January 16, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships from the USA, please allow 10-14 days for delivery. Region 1 encoding requires a North American or multi-region DVD player and NTSC compatible TV. Over 2,000,000 satisfied customers worldwide.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
Likeable sports drama March 18, 2008
Gridiron Gang has lots going for it. It's not exactly just a sports movie, it's also a social drama. At times the mix of the two doesn't blend perfectly in terms of entertainment, it's a little like two different movies merged into one, but at least it's a little different. The performances from the cast are all extremely good too. The Rock is actually turning into a very fine actor and at no point is he anything less than believable in his role as the sports coach. The supporting cast are all excellent too, and there aren't too many corny sugar coated moments, although there are a few.
I didn't even realise this was based on a true story until the end credits when documentary footage of the real Mustangs team was played out.
All in all a very competent effort that seems to have kept the source material close to its heart. Worth a look.
Hard-hitting real life story December 27, 2007
Dwayne Johnson shows once again that his flamboyant wrestling character "The Rock" was easily transferrable into a successful movie career. Johnson was an avid football player in his youth and fits in nicely to the coaches role in this movie.
The movie focuses on the fact that 75% of juveniles detained either die on the streets or return to gang-lifestyles when released. The coach (Johnson) a probation officer decides that football may be the way out for some of them to a better life. The movie is the typical underdogs prevail story, however with the fresh outlook of creating character in otherwise worthless cases. The fact it is based on true happenings (you find out where the characters ended up after the movie) makes it more enjoyable.
One thing I do like about this movie is that in case you are concerned about the movie somehow glorifying criminals and bad behaviour this is not the case. Johnsons character keeps putting in lines such as "yeah he is smiling, but was he smiling when he stabbed the old lady and stole her handbag?" reminds you that these kids are still delinquents and the treatment by society of them is not wholly unfair.
Anyone who likes either, underdog movies, sports movies, The Rock, or hard hitting real stories will enjoy this film, and it is definately worth watching. Great acting throughout by the support cast.
 The rock continues with good films. October 10, 2007
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. What a lot of people miss is the fact that this is based on true events! It has its fair share of sad moments, Great for hangover tears! Give this a chance, even if ur know nothing bout american football, as this is about the characters and there challenges. Great Film.
"Then let's try the impossible, because the possible just ain't working" September 28, 2007
The concept of creating a movie based on "problem" kids and a mentor guiding them to the good path is not novel. So in that sense, this film does not provide a lot of original concepts. What it does provide though, is an uplifting story and a good balance between the scenes focused on the personal stories of the main characters and the sport moments.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays Sean Porter, a counselor at a juvenile detention center, who is sick and tired of seeing these kids get back on the street only to get killed or sent to jail. In a burst of inspiration, he decides that creating a football team may be the answer to the problem. However, this is easier said than done, and there are many challenges along the way. Overcoming the gang wars among the teenagers under his care is just part of the problem; finding a league in which to play and convincing the kids that they are not losers, proves to be a big challenge.
The movie definitely succeeds in conveying the immensity of the problem created by gangs. It does this through a set of eye-opening personal stories that help understand why these kids behave like they do and why they ended up in gangs in the first place. As is expected, there is a fair amount of violence included in the plot, but I think that this was used wisely and without exaggeration. Regarding the performances, I was really impressed by how much The Rock has evolved as an actor, which shows that he is taking the change in careers very seriously. I remember liking his role in "Be Cool", but that was one in which the character provided more leeway for inexperience; in this case, the job he faced was much tougher.
If you are looking for a sports movie that provides something new and original, you will likely be disappointed by this effort. But, as was my case, if you want to spend some time entertained by a moving, though predictable, story about beating the odds with hard work and the support of a team, then you should give this film a try.
 Formulaic but enjoyable sports drama August 13, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Former wrestler Dwayne `The Rock' Johnson stars in this true life story as Sean Porter, a man working in a juvenile detention centre who becomes frustrated with his inability to help the various young offenders he deals with. Desperate to break the hold the gang-banger life has on them, Porter sets up a football team in the hope of providing a new, more positive type of gang experience that will get them back on the straight and narrow.
Now, this is a sports film, and we all know sports films are loathe to part with their precious clichés. If Gridiron Gang has a problem, it's that it's no exception to the rule. You've got your troubled misfits, your inspirational coach, a couple of training montages, and it all heads inevitably toward the nail-biting final game. It's based on actual events (there's some nice documentary footage of the real Porter over the closing titles to cement the film's authenticity), so maybe we can cut the formulaic story some slack, but a few original touches here and there wouldn't have hurt.
Even so, I ended up liking the film despite its adherence to such a tried-and-tested structure. Gridiron Gang has its heart in the right place, there are one or two genuinely moving moments, and Johnson's unsurpassed skill with a stirring speech (a holdover from his wrestling days) ensures you believe completely in his ability to motivate his delinquent charges. This one may be lacking in freshness and innovation, but it has just enough pluck and spirit to compensate.
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