Review of Inspector Gadget 2 (2003) by Brian F — 04 Apr 2012

Inspector Gadget 2 is the sequel to the 1999 Inspector Gadget movie. This one went straight to DVD and if you actually watch the movie, you'll know why. IG2 supposedly picks up a few years after the first movie though, you wouldn't even know it.

This movie moves in a completely different direction that it's hard to imagine it's a sequel. The tone of the movie has become more light-hearted and campy. Inspector Gadget is once again a clueless idiot who can't control his now glitched-ridden gadgets, Dr.

Claw's face is never seen and his voice is rapsy, Penny and the dog Brain do most of the actual work although Penny does become a damsel in distress toward the end. Basically, this movie is much closer to the tv show.

Infact, it feels like your actually watching a Live-Action version of the show with some elements incoporated from the first movie. Even some of Claw's henchmen from various episodes of the show appear in this movie.

Along with the change in tone, there is also a change in the cast. NONE of the original actors and actresses come back for this movie with the exception of D.L. Hughley who returns to voice the GadgetMobile.

A couple of new characters are introduced such as Baxter, played by Bruce Spence who seems to be a scientist of sorts and friend of Gadget's, and G2 played by Elaine Hendrix who is basically a female version of Gadget and is intended to become his replacement.

She also becomes Gadget's new love interest. There is no explanation as to what happened to Brenda from the first movie. As I said, it's hard to imagine that this is a sequel. It looks and feels like a completely different movie and it might as well be.

It proves that what works in animation, doesn't necessarily work on film. All in all, It's a good movie to throw on for the kids but otherwise, I wouldn't bother with IG2.