An injured security guard is rebuilt as a
multi-purpose cyborg for the police department. FAMILY/SCI-FI
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Inspector Gadget (1999)Directed by David Kellogg
Written by Kerry Ehrin and Zak Penn Starring Matthew Broderick, Rupert Everett, Joely Fisher, Michelle Trachtenberg, Andy Dick, Mike Hagerty, Cheri Oteri, Dabney Coleman, D.L. Hughley Based on the 1983-1986 TV series |
I simply don't have it in me to hate Inspector Gadget. I had it on VHS as a child, and it was one of my favorites. I watched it again recently and was hit with a wave of nostalgia. It's a terrible movie, yes, but it feels like it belongs to me. I think it's funny, cute, charming. I like the characters, I love Rupert Everett as Dr. Claw, and the whole Robo Gadget thing always makes me laugh. You never get to see Matthew Broderick play an unhinged, psychotic supervillain, and this is the closest we'll ever get. I never watched the cartoon either, so I have no loyalty there. This is just a misunderstood personal favorite as far as I'm concerned.
John Brown (Broderick) is a security guard with a dream. He wants to be a cop so he can help people. When he interrupts a robbery, evil genius Sanford Scolex (Everett) blows him up, but Scolex's hand is crushed in the process, and he becomes the villainous Dr. Claw. Brown, on the other hand, is selected for Dr. Brenda Bradford's (Fisher) Gadget Program. He's rebuilt as a cyborg police officer with corny gizmos like a toothpaste gun and a helicopter hat. Think RoboCop for kids. Now, he must put Dr. Claw behind bars and impress Brenda, as he's in love with her. It's a quick little movie loaded with dumb shit, but I can't help but smile the whole time. I can admit the movie is a bit of a train wreck and kind of aimless at times. Matthew Broderick was probably not the best Gadget they could've gotten. I think French Stewart's portrayal in the direct-to-DVD sequel was way more cartoony and goofy. But as I said, there's just something about this flick that makes me unable to hate it. |