G-Force reviewed
Watching family film G-Force, with its seamless combination of CGI-animation and live-action footage, I couldn’t dismiss the notion that if Disney ever wanted to make a live-action Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers movie with realistic looking rodents, they would use this film as a template.
You see, I went into G-Force expecting the worst – endless fart and poop jokes, and nonstop slapstick silliness – something akin to Cats & Dogs, only worse. Instead I discovered a film that places more emphasis on action than infantile humour. Then again, I should have regulated my expectations, given that the film is produced (surprisingly) by Jerry Bruckheimer, the man behind the likes of Pirates of the Caribbean, Con Air, Bad Boys and many other action blockbusters.
The plot for G-Force is resoundingly ridiculous. Despite mockery from their FBI superiors a tiny government organisation has been training assorted animals to perform covert operations. Scientist Ben (bearded Zach Galifianakis from The Hangover) has had the most success with his G-Force squad, consisting of 3 talking guinea pigs as field operatives, a mole specialising in cyber-hacking and a fly with reconnaissance skills. When an apparent mission failure results in the unit being disbanded, it’s up to the guinea pigs to vindicate themselves and save the world from a home electronics magnate (Bill Nighy) with sinister intentions.
G-Force’s major selling point is that it’s the first live-action Disney film to be produced in Disney Digital 3-D. I didn’t watch the film in 3-D, so I can’t comment on that experience. I can however confidently state that G-Force contains some of the most impressive CGI-animation of the year so far. The guinea pigs are stunningly animated, although in terms of realistically rendered creatures the show is stolen by hamster Bucky (voiced by Steve Buscemi), whose adorable exterior hides a hateful, sneering heart. Bucky’s presence helps to make the pet shop scenes the most amusing and enjoyable of the entire film.
G-Force is undeniably lightweight fluff that refuses to veer from a tried and tested route. The film sticks to clichéd character types and overused filmic messages – about finding “specialness” within, and how families don’t have to be connected by blood to love each other and form a protective unit able to overcome any odds. Blah, blah, blah...
Fortunately for adults, who could easily be bored by such a dull approach, there is enough big name talent around to maintain interest. The voices of the G-Force are provided by Sam Rockwell, Penelope Cruz, Nicolas Cage and, finally, 30 Rock’s Tracy Morgan, who seems to have the most fun as Blaster, the weapons expert, driver and adrenaline junkie of the guinea pigs.
In terms of performers in front of the camera, recognisable faces include Galifianakis, Nighy and Will Arnett. Disappointingly though they’re all straight men to the rodents and don’t get to inject any additional comedic flavour to the film. This is a pity because Galifianakis is especially difficult to take seriously post-Hangover. I expected him to slip into “Alan” mode in several scenes, yet he keeps his performance gentle, lightweight and likeable.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for something enjoyable and harmless to amuse the kids for 90 minutes, and not necessarily send you into a coma while you accompany them, G-Force is a perfectly tolerable choice. It’s a fun little family film, better than most recent live-action efforts.
As one final note though, beware going to see G-Force if you have a deep dislike of the Black Eyed Peas. The band’s recent hits Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling are blasted ad nauseam throughout the film.
You see, I went into G-Force expecting the worst – endless fart and poop jokes, and nonstop slapstick silliness – something akin to Cats & Dogs, only worse. Instead I discovered a film that places more emphasis on action than infantile humour. Then again, I should have regulated my expectations, given that the film is produced (surprisingly) by Jerry Bruckheimer, the man behind the likes of Pirates of the Caribbean, Con Air, Bad Boys and many other action blockbusters.
The plot for G-Force is resoundingly ridiculous. Despite mockery from their FBI superiors a tiny government organisation has been training assorted animals to perform covert operations. Scientist Ben (bearded Zach Galifianakis from The Hangover) has had the most success with his G-Force squad, consisting of 3 talking guinea pigs as field operatives, a mole specialising in cyber-hacking and a fly with reconnaissance skills. When an apparent mission failure results in the unit being disbanded, it’s up to the guinea pigs to vindicate themselves and save the world from a home electronics magnate (Bill Nighy) with sinister intentions.
G-Force’s major selling point is that it’s the first live-action Disney film to be produced in Disney Digital 3-D. I didn’t watch the film in 3-D, so I can’t comment on that experience. I can however confidently state that G-Force contains some of the most impressive CGI-animation of the year so far. The guinea pigs are stunningly animated, although in terms of realistically rendered creatures the show is stolen by hamster Bucky (voiced by Steve Buscemi), whose adorable exterior hides a hateful, sneering heart. Bucky’s presence helps to make the pet shop scenes the most amusing and enjoyable of the entire film.
G-Force is undeniably lightweight fluff that refuses to veer from a tried and tested route. The film sticks to clichéd character types and overused filmic messages – about finding “specialness” within, and how families don’t have to be connected by blood to love each other and form a protective unit able to overcome any odds. Blah, blah, blah...
Fortunately for adults, who could easily be bored by such a dull approach, there is enough big name talent around to maintain interest. The voices of the G-Force are provided by Sam Rockwell, Penelope Cruz, Nicolas Cage and, finally, 30 Rock’s Tracy Morgan, who seems to have the most fun as Blaster, the weapons expert, driver and adrenaline junkie of the guinea pigs.
In terms of performers in front of the camera, recognisable faces include Galifianakis, Nighy and Will Arnett. Disappointingly though they’re all straight men to the rodents and don’t get to inject any additional comedic flavour to the film. This is a pity because Galifianakis is especially difficult to take seriously post-Hangover. I expected him to slip into “Alan” mode in several scenes, yet he keeps his performance gentle, lightweight and likeable.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for something enjoyable and harmless to amuse the kids for 90 minutes, and not necessarily send you into a coma while you accompany them, G-Force is a perfectly tolerable choice. It’s a fun little family film, better than most recent live-action efforts.
As one final note though, beware going to see G-Force if you have a deep dislike of the Black Eyed Peas. The band’s recent hits Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling are blasted ad nauseam throughout the film.
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