Gridiron Gang (2006)

42% of critics liked it
(100 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(266,268 ratings)

The true story of the football team that proved sometimes second chances can make a difference comes to the screen in director Phil Joanou's tale of self-respect and social responsibility on the gridiron. Sean Porter (The Rock) is a detention camp probation officer who oversees the inmates at Camp… More The true story of the football team that proved sometimes second chances can make a difference comes to the screen in director Phil Joanou's tale of self-respect and social responsibility on the gridiron. Sean Porter (The Rock) is a detention camp probation officer who oversees the inmates at Camp Kilpatrick in Los Angeles and isn't willing to simply write off the violent offenders who have been placed in his care. Though their prospects for the future are decidedly bleak, Porter is convinced that if he can just get through to his adolescent inmates they may finally be able to turn their lives around and make amends for the mistakes of their past. When Porter's proposal of forming a high-school-level football team at Camp Kilpatrick meets with skepticism and resistance in the highest ranks, the determined coach puts his career on the line to prove that even convicted criminals can acquire the tools needed to build a brighter future when given the proper motivation and the means of doing so. Inspired by filmmaker Jac Flanders' 1993 documentary of the same name, Gridiron Gang features a screenplay penned by In the Line of Fire scribe Jeff Maguire, and features a supporting cast that includes Leon Rippy, Kevin Dunn, and Detroit-born rapper-turned-actor Xzibit. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr.
Directed By: Phil Joanou
Written By: Jeff Maguire
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Sep 15, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Jan 16, 2007
Studio: Sony Pictures

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Well intentioned, but way too corny, way too over the top...
, Chicago Reader
... as Robert Aldrich proved in The Longest Yard, a football movie should be able to hit harder.
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
... a lugubrious tutorial on the importance of being a winner.
John Anderson, Variety
Auds will respond, either to the uplifting message and the solid action sequences.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Gridiron entertains and makes a powerful point about the faults inherent in the penal system, particularly for youths with hopes of rehabilitation.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
While grittier on the surface, Phil Joanou's allegedly 'true story' inspired Gridiron Gang is as soft and safe in its centre as any of the two dozen or so inspirational pigskin operas that have been released in the past two years.
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
It's a difficult balancing act between gang life and the sports film where inspiring moments can very easily become maudlin and wearing. Gridiron Gang slips and stumbles a bit in the second half but for the most part makes it across whole.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Dwayne Johnson pushes his emotionally charged performance so hard that you think he might pop a blood vessel.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Inspiring sports action with The Rock. Teens OK.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
A little more focus on individual dramas would have helped this loser-to-winner sports film.
Brian Tallerico, UGO
The surprisingly effective Gridiron Gang will find its way into that harshly defended emotional endzone, even if they might not necessarily admit it to their friends.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Despite the occasional mixed message and overwrought moment, Gridiron Gang is a sincere, moving film about a worthwhile subject
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Watchable, decently made drama with some strong performances, but the script is disappointing given the real-life story behind the film.
Sam Toy, Empire Magazine
What begins as a series of pleasant revelations and a deft example of genre defiance is nearly crippled by cliche in its second half, but The Rock's surprising dramatic magnetism will hold you until the final whistle.
Kam Williams, EURWeb
It's unfortunate that what was undoubtedly an inspirational story could end up onscreen as such a been-there done-that hack job.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Albert K

An electrifying performance by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in a cliche but good-hearted movie. This, admittedly, was a guilty pleasure of mine. DON'T HATE
Marc L

This is without a doubt my absolute favorite sports movie of all time. It had fantastic acting, an inspirational story, and some of the best sports quotes out there and fantastic character development. The main reason people want to see this movie will be because of Dwayne… More
This is without a doubt my absolute favorite sports movie of all time. It had fantastic acting, an inspirational story, and some of the best sports quotes out there and fantastic character development. The main reason people want to see this movie will be because of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and I can tell you guys that he certainly does not dissapoint. His performance as coach of the Mustangs was the bescoach portrayel I've seen since Buttermaker from Bad News Bears. It was emotional, and realistic. However, If Dwayne gets my lead for best performance in the movie, Jade Yorker get's a close second as Willie Weathers, a former 88 gang member who shot his heavily abusive father after he tried to hit his mother, and ends up as running back for the Mustangs. He was my favorite character, and I found myself cheering for him all the way. The story is great to. It is about a former NFL player turned coach named Sean Porter, who organizes a high scholl football team out of slightly misunderstood gangsters serving time at a youth correctional facility. The lesson is "Not everyone get's a second chance, so use it well" and what a lesson it is. The football action was pretty good too. Bottom line, this is the best football and sports movie I've ever seen, period.
KJ P

It could have been a little more original, but I find that I could watch this movie any day!
Jason O

This just may be my favorite sports movie ever, if not it's certainly way up there. The Rock rocks as an actor, even though I'm not a wrestling fan....cause it's all predetermined!
Lorenzo v

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson joins the list of stars with stints as cinematic teachers/ motivators, just as the likes of Antonio Banderas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Samuel L Jackson have preceded him. And for a movie like this, with attitude and a host of students with menacing street… More
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson joins the list of stars with stints as cinematic teachers/ motivators, just as the likes of Antonio Banderas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Samuel L Jackson have preceded him. And for a movie like this, with attitude and a host of students with menacing street grit, he comes across as totally believable, and looked the role too as a teacher who can command and gain r-e-s-p-e-c-t from the troubled teens. Having starred in mostly action movies in his Hollywood career thus far, Gridiron Gang allowed The Rock some space in dramatic moments to prove his acting chops, so take this opportunity to see if you'll laugh and cry together with him. You can't deny that his charismatic presence (even sans The People's Eyebrow) helped a bit. 5/5
Al S

A powerful and emotionally effective film. It's more than just a sports movie. A triumphant story about beliveing in yourself and showing anything is possiable including the second chances in life that we should take. The best film of it's kind since Remember the Titans. A… More
A powerful and emotionally effective film. It's more than just a sports movie. A triumphant story about beliveing in yourself and showing anything is possiable including the second chances in life that we should take. The best film of it's kind since Remember the Titans. A pure knockout powerhouse. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson gives a rivetingly dramatic movie star performance. This movie proves he's more than a stellar action star. Hard-hitting sports action and deeply moving drama. It's compelling, thrilling and exhilerating.
Aliyanto L

This based on true story movie is another solution of juvenile delinquency plus a wise choice for The Rock!
Rachel F

I loved this film. It has a great storyline and all of the actors do a good job playing their roles.
Dean M

Incredible true story of an inspirational coach Sean Porter who turns LA Juvenile detention kids into a football team. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson makes an absolutely performance as the coach in his first sport-drama film.
Jose Z

Great movie, one of the best i've seen in this year. Its the kind of movie that inspires and motivates you to be a better person. Its so touching and emotional. The cast although there aren't well known names except for "The Rock", they all give brilliant… More
Great movie, one of the best i've seen in this year. Its the kind of movie that inspires and motivates you to be a better person. Its so touching and emotional. The cast although there aren't well known names except for "The Rock", they all give brilliant performances and "The Rock is proving that he isn't just another action movies actor
Aaron N

I like The Rock, he has the perfect amount of charisma to sell almost anything. That being said, this is the most in-your-face after school special i've seen in a while. Rock as the coach (not to mention X to the Z) do their damndest to keep these kids from killing each other the… More
I like The Rock, he has the perfect amount of charisma to sell almost anything. That being said, this is the most in-your-face after school special i've seen in a while. Rock as the coach (not to mention X to the Z) do their damndest to keep these kids from killing each other the old fashion way, by putting them into a cliche sports movie, but because it's done well, it's hard to complain.
Bradley W

Gridiron Gang is what you might call a guilty pleasure of mine. Its a satisfying sports drama that tells the real life tale of a probabtion officer who wants to help his juvenile dilenquents by forming a football team. I found the plot very melodramatic, what I mean is that it tries… More
Gridiron Gang is what you might call a guilty pleasure of mine. Its a satisfying sports drama that tells the real life tale of a probabtion officer who wants to help his juvenile dilenquents by forming a football team. I found the plot very melodramatic, what I mean is that it tries a little TOO hard to be sad and emotional which is a huge problem for inspirational films, but it didn't mean the plot was bad. In fact, I found some of the characters of the kids to be truly satisfying and emotional, but the problem is that the character of coach Sean Porter (who is based on a real person) has no other backround in the film other than seeing his dying mother as she talks about how he was good at football, and I wanted to know what is pushing him to give these kids a second chance. Overall it could've been less dramatic and focused more on sports and characters. Dwayne Johnson is a pretty good actor, I mean his character is plain and has no backround info so for what its worth I think he did a decent performance. As for the rest of the cast, I thought this was a talented group of actors who will always be remembered as the football team in the Gridiron Gang. I consider the best sports movies ever to be Rudy and Hoosiers, and the reason is because the kids in those movies have a true love for their sport, while these kids in this are playing because it will help them learn to do better in life, so it made this a bit different from other sports films which is why I think many critics don't like it. This film is filled with many cliches that keep it from being different from other sports films, but its still an enjoyable movie with a good moral, good acting, a lot of heart, and even if it does follow the trend that makes most inspirational films fail, it has too many good attributes for me to call it a failed film, so I enjoyed it. If you disagree, I am sure you have liked your share of films the critics weren't huge fans of.
Fascade F

Incredibly gifted theme, cast and movie. Quite simply put...I loved it! Wish there were alot of programs like this all across the country for felons. They all need a second chance.
Chosen 7

Decent inspirational sports drama. Good performance by Dwayne Johnson and surprisingly; Xzibit's acting was actually decent.
Brett W

The Dwayne "Rocky Maivia" Johnson teaches a bunch of jabronies that it's ok to lay the smack down on their parole officer's candy ass.
Donna D

The Rock is cool in potraying a probation officer that tries to redeem some juvenile inmates on becoming football players. A likeable movie with inspiring scenes. A good one to watch.
John M

The Rock proves he can act in this movies. Nothing new here. Very predictable but worth a watch.
Nicky M

Pretty good but predictable. Based on a true story and sending a positive message it's a good movie to watch with older kids. The Rock showed his acting is improving.
Leo L

A great movie! Good to see The Rock in a role where it's something a little more serious. Rock and Xzibit are fantastic duos!
Nate H

Look for my review in the Miami Hurricane.