Review of Gridiron Gang (2006) by Cody R — 25 Mar 2016

Gridiron Gang is indeed uplifting, inspirational, and kills time, but in the end is cliched and a bit repetitive in its nature. Storytelling elements are reused time and time again but are saved by the film's nicely made characters.

The Rock is a probation officer hoping to reach out to imprisoned gang teenagers in California by starting the Mustangs volunteer football team, building respect and character along with sports skills and teamwork. The once constantly fighting characters soon grow into teammates and brothers.

Gridiron Gang is, in a word, nice. It's wholesome, goodhearted, it's all fine and dandy but it doesn't bring a ton to the table. Perhaps the film's best feature is its acting and characters - The Rock creates a realistic, unbelievably great performance that works well with practically anyone else he corresponds with. Even some of the teen actors weren't bad. I don't even know why Xzibit's in there. The characters have gritty, originally dark gang and drug tied backgrounds that are at first shown and often mentioned by The Rock's character. It makes for a little less cliched plot, but alas, it is still cliched. The film is predictable from the minute an inspirational football team is put into place - it's a tired concept which is done good for what it is, it's just Gridiron Gang seems like just another film. The storytelling elements drag out a bit - the same old situation is brought up over again to death of threatening to give up, unneeded backstories involving estranged teens' family members, and humor that drops in at the oddest times. Not one of the great sports films, just a somewhat forgettable film.