G-Force…

G-Force Review

28 Jul 2009

Critics rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

Reviewed by Tom Charity , LOVEFiLM

What does it take to beat Harry Potter? Anamatronic 3-D guinea pigs kitted out like a high-tech spy squad, that's what.

Such is the genius of G-Force, the latest conceit from uber-producer Jerry Bruckheimer – he of Pirates of the Caribbean fame. Not that the movie will do Potterish business in the long term, but it has toppled Harry from his perch at the head of the US box office this week – the sort of eventuality that should stop Daniel Radcliffe from getting too big for his boots.

G-Force

Starring Will Arnett, Nicolas Cage, Kelli Garner, Zach Galifianakis

Director Hoyt Yeatman, Hoyt Yeatman Jr.

Genres Action/Adventure, Audio Descriptive, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller

Run time 90 mins Certificate PG

Cast details

Nicolas Cage

Born: 07 Jan 1964
Long Beach, California

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G-Force is a secret FBI unit in the animal division (another project involves hordes of cockroaches… wonder if they’ll get their own spin-off movie?). The guinea pigs stand up on two legs, can communicate with humans, and have been trained to use the kind of gizmos normally restricted to James Bond. They’re also about to be terminated – not by the Osama’s crew, but that old standby, government cut backs.

They have just one chance to prove their value. They must infiltrate the heavily guarded home of electronics tycoon Saber (Bill Nighy) and access his files to find out what nefarious plan “Clusterstorm” might be.

Written by Cormac and Marianne Wibberley (National Treasure), G-Force may be aimed at the under-12s, but in attitude it’s closer to Transformers than Wind in the Willows. As someone who stubbornly believes Transformers should rightfully be aimed at the pre-teen set, I don’t object. But it’s a pity that there isn’t more humour and playfulness – where’s Joe Dante when you need him?

Like other CGI animal pictures (Garfield; Underdog), gains in physical dexterity have to be balanced by a drastic loss in charm. Lassie may have been relatively limited in her combat skills, but we loved her all the more.

G Force

G-Force may be aimed at the under-12s, but in attitude it's closer to Transformers than Wind in the Willows.

Among the voice cast, Sam Rockwell is the heroic Darwin and Penelope Cruz has some spunk as the comely Juarez, but the standout is the mole, Speckles, voiced by… well, I didn’t recognise him until the end credits came up, so I won’t spoil the tease, but it’s a fine performance by one of our most reliably eccentric actors. The live action performers are by and large upstaged. Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) has little to offer as the team’s human cheerleader, but Bill Nighy is always watchable.

Sad to say my four-year-old’s only complaint was that – contrary to the marketing campaign – the guinea pigs didn’t have guns. So you might want to let the little ones down gently on that one. But the ten-year-old thought it was “awesome”. Horses for courses, and guinea pigs for kids.

G-Force Reviews

Critic's review of G-Force
View all (1)
- âMission: Impossibleâ and âShort Circuitâ meet âBabeâ in this passable CGI-enhanced live-action kiddie... read more on Time Out
- 56487
- - Derek Adams
  - Time Out
  - 29 Jul 2009 at 03:29
Most helpful member's review of G-Force
View all members' reviews (133)
- - 44
  - 4
  gd film
  
  i think this film is so funny, with the cast so good makes this film brilliant. I would def watch it again
  
  Report this review
- 734177
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Aberdare
  - 28 Mar 2009 at 19:10
Most recent members' reviews of G-Force
View all members' reviews (133)
- - 0
  - 0
  It was funny
  
  Good story and cute characters! Especially Hurley. BY Lauren 12, Chloe 10 and Aimee 7!
  
  Report this review
- 1085444
- - a customer
  - Leicestershire
  - 25 Jan 2012 at 17:30
- - 0
  - 0
  Good for kids but no adult appeal
  
  A good kids film, in fact I have since bought it for my seven year old who keeps watching it. He had played the game on xbox so that made the film even more ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1072942
- - POD56
  - 11 reviews
  - 13 Dec 2011 at 04:02
- - 0
  - 0
  ONE FOR THE KIDDIES
  
  FUNNY IF YOUR'RE WATCHING WITH CHILDREN AGED ABOUT 5-12- CANT SEE WHY ANY ADULT WOULD WATCH IT- THOUGH DID SEE 3RD VERSION AT CINEMA AND ENJOYED IT
  
  Report this review
- 1070353
- - a customer
  - 05 Dec 2011 at 04:04
View all members' reviews (133)

- - 44
  - 4
  gd film
  
  i think this film is so funny, with the cast so good makes this film brilliant. I would def watch it again
  
  Report this review
- 734177
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - a customer
  - Aberdare
  - 28 Mar 2009 at 19:10
- - 13
  - 1
  Zzzzz-Force!
  
  What a pedestrian,tedious excuse for a summer blockbuster this is. If you can see it in 3-D don't bother paying the extra as the effects are very ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 793412
- - mcfabb
  - 8 reviews
  - Wooler
  - 04 Aug 2009 at 07:32
- - 8
  - 1
  superb....................
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  this film is superb. It stars the voice talents of Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Bill Nighy, Penélope Cruz, Steve Buscemi and Tracy Morgan.<... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 781504
- - williamsgwynfa
  - 627 reviews
  - gwaenysgor
  - 08 Jul 2009 at 22:11
- - 5
  - 1
  Dismal Disney
  
  Dismal Disney film that I won't be watching again. I was really looking forward to watching this when I first saw it advertised, the wait was not worth it. ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 841732
- - ChrystalTips
  - 32 reviews
  - Wootton Bassett, England
  - 22 Dec 2009 at 06:10
- - 4
  - 2
  Dissapointing! Would only watch this in 3D
  
  I took my younger cousins to the cinema to go and see this the other day in 3D which was a brilliant experience.
  
  Ive never seen a film in 3D before ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 798509
- - Beego
  - 16 reviews
  - Bedford
  - 15 Aug 2009 at 20:35
- - 2
  - 0
  GREAT
  
  Great family film ! As a guinea pig owner 'FANTASTIC'
  
  Report this review
- 836513
- - joey135
  - 104 reviews
  - Denbigh
  - 02 Dec 2009 at 17:50
- - 2
  - 0
  great family film
  
  Really funny lovely film, really enjoyed it well worth a look, not just for kids adults will enjoy it too. 5 stars.
  
  Report this review
- 905380
- - a customer
  - Jarrow
  - 14 Jul 2010 at 10:22
- - 2
  - 0
  Good fun :)
  
  I would definitely recommend this. It's a good family film with some great characters and some very nice touches as you would expect from Disney. Good ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 906590
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - LKD
  - 77 reviews
  - Milton Keynes
  - 19 Jul 2010 at 13:08
- - 2
  - 0
  Great kids film
  
  Brilliant effects and graphics and well made film.Kids loved it and watched it 3 times.Had a good story compared to a lot of kids films these days and was a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 906799
- - LisaT
  - 29 reviews
  - Scotland
  - 20 Jul 2010 at 10:23
- - 1
  - 0
  Not as good as I expected
  
  Although this film is technically superb I found the plot unengaging. The funny bits were not funny enough to make me feel that the film was really worth my ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 907306
- - a customer
  - Milton Keynes
  - 22 Jul 2010 at 09:47

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Critic's review
- âMission: Impossibleâ and âShort Circuitâ meet âBabeâ in this passable CGI-enhanced live-action kiddie... read more on Time Out
- 56487
- - Derek Adams
  - Time Out
  - 29 Jul 2009 at 03:29

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