Ever sit around and wonder what kind of movie you’d get if you combined The Longest Yard and Boyz N the Hood? Well, neither have I, but if you did you’d get the new Columbia Picture release Gridlock Gang.

Based on a true story, Duane “The Rock” Johnson stars as Sean Porter, a juvenile detention center counselor. Sean is sick of seeing the kids do their time, only to be released without a change in attitude or behavior. Most of the kids are arrested again or killed. He believes he has a sure fire plan to change the lives of these youngsters. Creating a sense of family and self esteem within these young men with football. He starts a team and recruit’s the most troubled teens to play. They slowly begin to count on one another and eventually on Sean to lead them to victory.

Okay, this movie was all over the place for me. It began as a gritty drama. The first twenty minutes were intense and very disturbing. Although hard to watch, it was a terrific set up for an intense drama. Then all of a sudden, it turned into a simple jock film full of every cliché you’ve seen in every sports film ever made. The snob writer in me quickly lost respect, but it didn’t last long.

As the movie played on, I began to care for these characters. I began to cheer them on. I actually started to clap and yell back at the screen. Something I NEVER do! I couldn’t help it. The Rock turns in such a powerful performance.

The story is so inspiring and so touching. What an amazing crowd pleasing film. We were cheering as though we were in the stands ourselves. This film is full of emotion, bone crushing football sequences, and most importantly, heart. Do yourself a favor and stay for the credits. The filmmakers show a documentary based on the real life Sean Porter and the kids that made up his gang.

by Thomas Ferguson