Review of Gridiron Gang (2006) by Zac M — 25 Mar 2009

Movies based on actual events with an inspirational message are the kind of movies I just eat up. There's just something I find appealing about a true to life story where someone is up against the odds, it doesn't necessarily have to be an insurmountable task but a tough task to accomplish.

This is definitely a change of pace from the last film I reviewed("Bait Shop"), which was about an underdog but definitely not of this movies calibur. Though not original I will have to say that if a movie can get me invested in it's story and characters emotionally such as this film, it is a story worth telling.

I don't care how many times I hear or see it portrayed I will still watch it. The acting is usually where everything counts for a movie like this and Dwayne Johnson performs the role of Sean Porter quite well, he makes a pretty convincing coach and probation officer.

As well all the actors portraying the troubled teenagers do a rather fine job and I liked seeing how they were emotionally distraught when presented with a dilemma, it added to the detail. The movie really makes me want to watch the real life documentary about the Gridiron Gang(partly because there's snippets in the end credits but not entirely), I just want to get to know these people, not many films based on true events make me want to do that.

The message of "Gridiron Gang" is clearly a motivational and uplifting one, so anyone that loves true success stories, this one is for you.