G-Force Blu-ray: Review By Dodd

I'll go ahead and admit that I am sometimes uppity when it comes to movies. I am particularly judgmental of children's films without even seeing them. Sometimes it is hard not to be when the trailers stink to high heaven. I become even more determined to not see a movie when the entire theater chokes to death on laughter following some low-brow gag. Disney's G-Force is one of those movies. I sat with my arms crossed and my brow furrowed like a petulant child as the rest of the theater cracked up at the trailer. Why were they laughing so hard? Well---you see---- a guinea pig farted. I think I've made my point clear that I did not put down dollars to see G-Force in the theater. However, I sometimes come to find that how the marketing team defines a movie may not be exactly what the movie is. Sometimes a mostly clever film with one gross gag thrown into the mix is marketed as something obnxious because that is what American audiences want. And let's face it, it is what audiences want or else there would not have been a second Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. Yes, there are movies that occasionally work as feature length packages and actually surprise viewers like me. Unfortunately, G-Force is not one of those movies. You actually get what is advertised.

The Jerry Bruckheimer-produced movie mixes live action actors with CGI-created characters. A man of science (Zach Galifianakis) has brought together a team of guinea pigs who work together as high tech spies in an effort to prove to the FBI that the animals equipped with technology can serve as useful team players in infiltrating high secure areas. The team is led by Darwin (Sam Rockwell) and includes a loud mouth (Tracy Morgan) and a flirtatious, yet kick-ass female (Penelope Cruz). There is also a computer-savvy mole on the team (an unrecognizable Nicolas Cage bringing back his nasally vocals once used in Peggy Sue Got Married). They all work together to bring down an evil technology mogul (Bill Nighy). Along the way they even pick up an extra team member named Hurley (Jon Favreau) who is obese and farts all the time.

It only takes the previous paragraph to summarize the less-than-complex premise of G-Force. Despite the stupid idea of cartoonish guinea pigs fighting crime, I wanted there to be a heartfelt movie beneath all of the noise. Instead this movie is what the trailer promises it to be. Younger kids will laugh at this movie because it is visual stimuli. I am sure they were also love the lame jokes. Unlike a Pixar film, I personally feel there is not much to offer grown-ups, unless you count the satisfaction of watching a youngster enjoying this movie. But then again, this movie barely even offers a strong moral backbone. It certainly tries to do so, but it barely registered in my mind due to the bright colors and loud noises.

There are also not very flattering things to say about the performers involved. It really feels as though everyone is just phoning it in. I sat for a moment and wondered why such top notch talent would agree to do this movie. Then I realized that if I were a movie star and a studio offered me a large chunk of change to spend a couple of days in a recording booth, I would probably say "yes" as well.

I reviewed the Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy combination pack. There are specific features exclusive to the Blu-Ray disc that I was unable to access. No...I do not yet own a player. However, I did browse the features on the DVD. There is not a whole lot to take from the supplements. The Tracy Morgan guinea pig hosts a feature that essentially recycles footage from the film while he talks about the G-Force gadgets. The more interesting feature is one with the director and his son, whose pet guinea pig served as the inspiration for the film. Also included is a blooper reel which is not much fun at all considering that it focuses on the live action actors and the voice actors goofing off in the studio. Intentionally creating CGI bloopers as Pixar once used to do would have been a more clever idea here. There is also a commentary track with the filmmaker, which I chose to pass on.

Widescreen. There is not a unique style to this movie. It is as generic and straightforward as possible. There is lots of CGI eye candy that is supposed to look impressive. I can't say I was moved.

5.1 Dolby. If you want sound, then it is definitely one of the films high points. I do not think Jerry Bruckheimer would produce anything that does not fill the room with an intense score and frequent explosions.

All three of the discs come in one case. The front cover illustrates the main characters in action.

I wish I could say that G-Force is one of those movies that just looks stupid, but has redeeming qualities. What it comes down to is that the advertising matches the film. I like consuming mind-numbing entertainment just as much as the next person, but only if it has some entertainment value. This movie is a lame premise from the get-go, and there is little effort put into carrying it to a decent level. I would not go so far to say I hated this movie, but I certainly did not like it. It did not make me laugh and it did not awe me with its action fit for someone afflicted with ADD. Sure your children might enjoy it, but why encourage them when there is much better entertainment out there for youngsters? I hear Fantastic Mr. Fox is barely making a dime right now in theaters. The decision is yours.

Dodd Alley

dodd@movieweb.com