G-FORCE(PG)
**** (out of 5)
July 24, 2009
STARRING
Bill Nighy as SABER
Will Arnett as KIP KILLIAN
Zach Galifianakis as BEN
Kelli Garner as MARCI
Nicolas Cage as SPECKLES
Sam Rockwell as DARWIN
Jon Favreau as HURLEY
Penelope Cruz as JUAREZ
Steve Buscemi as BUCKY
Tracy Morgan as BLASTER
Studio: Disney
Directed by: Hoyt Yeatman
BY KEVIN CARR
Listen to Kevin’s radio review…
In the weeks leading up to the release of “G-Force,” I have heard bloggers and critics alike lambaste this movie before they even saw it. The general consensus of these folks is that this is just a crappy little kids film hitting the lowest levels of a Disney film – cute, talking animals with a cheesy storyline and a dose of bathroom humor.
These people may think this is the lowest form of cinema, but I say to them, “Bah!”
“G-Force” is a film about talking Guinea pigs that become secret agents. It’s shot in 3D with loads of special effects and talking rodents. It’s produced by Jerry Bruckheimer who, with the exception of a few films like “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” usually delivers a film with an action film look and feel.
This is exactly what “G-Force” needs to be. Guinea pigs. Secret agents. In 3D. Don’t expect anything more.
If you are hoping – or even remotely expecting – an arthouse flick with award season potential, you need to get your head examined.
“G-Force” follows a scientist named Ben (Zach Galifianakis), who has trained an elite force of Guinea pig secret agents. Darwin (Sam Rockwell), Juarez (Penelope Cruz) and Blaster (Tracey Morgan) make up G-Force, along with a housefly as an aerial scout and a mole named Speckles (Nicolas Cage) as their crack computer technician. However, when the Department of Homeland Security threatens to shut the team down, G-Force goes rogue in hopes of bringing down the mad businessman Sabre (Bill Nighy) before he can take over the world.
I know I’m going to catch a lot of flack from fellow critics for liking this film. (Or I won’t catch any flack, since those who know me realize that this kind of film is right up my alley.) But I’m okay with that. This is the kind of film that I would have eaten up as a kid. It’s “The Cat from Outer Space” for a modern age. It’s everything I wished a Disney film could have been in the 1970s. What’s so wrong about getting all giddy about it as a kid in my 30s?
What makes “G-Force” so fun is that it takes itself completely seriously in its utterly silly concept. It play out like an action movie, like those brilliant first ten minutes of “Bolt.” In 3D, these action sequences are mind-blowing and thrilling to watch. Sure, it’s a kids popcorn movie, but what’s wrong with that?
It may not be for everyone, but I had a blast watching it my kids. The running time is a breezy 90 minutes, so most parents can bear that if need be.
“G-Force” is awesome family fun, and I’m not ashamed to say it.
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