DVD Reviews

Gridiron Gang

• Rating:
• Director: Phil Joanou
• Starring: Jade Yorker
• Details: US / 120mins (15A).

It's not the most original of plots: Sean Porter (The Rock), a kind-hearted counsellor at a teenage detention centre, decides to instil some pride and self-esteem into his ragbag delinquents by getting them to play football. Taking its inspiration from the Emmy-winning documentary about the real life Sean Porter, The Gridiron Gang falls under the same banner as the latest Rocky: we've seen it all before but still can't help warming to its 'we can all change if we put our minds to it' tale. Despite knowing the story and how it's going to end up before your bum hits the seat, it's the comical dialogue that really lets it down. Lines like "Coach, I want to show people I can play. I can do something with my life. I want to be proud," crash with a resounding clang, but Joanou employs a sneaky tactic by including footage of the actual documentary over the end credits, showing us that someone actually said this line. This and all the other clangers just like it. Unfortunately for Joanou there is more drama in these snippets than in his entire film. The Rock, who showed he could act in Be Cool, delivers an adequate performance - in that he is successful in making us think he cares for these kids - but is ultimately joyless. Xzibit takes a backseat to the action and is rarely called upon. When he is, his acting needs some serious pimping. Gridiron Gang is not terrible - it's just predictable.

Review by Gavin Burke