# Inspector Gadget (1999)

### reviewed by
Jon Popick

PLANET SICK-BOY: http://www.sick-boy.com

Disney's live-action big-screen version of the popular animated television series, while likely be entertaining for kids, will be a bore for those who have reached a double-digit age. Giving the lead role to Matthew Broderick could be part of the problem – Gadget should be bumbling and cocky, not bumbling and bland.

Broderick (Godzilla) stars as John Brown, a security guard for a scientific research facility and a wannabe cop. He is also in love with Brenda (Joely Fisher, TV's Ellen), the daughter of a scientist that is on the brink of creating robot police officers. When a late-night break-in attempt leaves her dad dead and John clinging to life, Brenda decides to have doctors remove John's innards and replace them with the lifework of her father. The result? John Brown becomes Inspector Gadget, a high-tech officer for the Riverton Police Department. Gadget can implement any of his new features by shouting `Go Go Gadget,' followed by whatever it is he wants to use – like spring legs or helicopter hat. But, like the series, he usually gets it wrong, hilarity ensues, yet he still manages to get the bad guy.

Speaking of bad guys, Gadget's nemesis Claw is hammily played by Rupert Everett (An Ideal Husband). The world's youngest (and formerly the fattest) billionaire, he has both an evil cackle and a net worth counter on the front of his desk. He's the one responsible for the break-in and was left with a crushed right hand, which is eventually replaced with the claw from which he derives his moniker. Claw's headquarters are located within the same Pittsburgh building that was supposed to have been used to house Brainiac in the stalled production of Superman.

Like the TV series, Gadget has a dog named Brain and a niece named Penny (Michelle Trachtenberg, Harriet the Spy), both of which appear smarter than him. Like the TV series, Gadget also has a talking car, voiced here by D.L. Hughley (The Hughleys), who breathes some much-needed energy into the film. And like the TV series, Gadget always gets his man and delivers him to Police Chief Quimby (Dabney Coleman, You've Got Mail). Other characters include a wasted (probably literally) Andy Dick (NewsRadio) as one of Claw's scientists and an annoying Cheri Oteri (Saturday Night Live) as Riverton's Mayor.

Perhaps even odder than the casting of Broderick is Disney's selection of director David Kellogg, whose only previous effort was Playboy's Playmates at Play video release. This could explain the scene where Gadget hoses down a cleavage-bearing Fisher with a giant load of blue toothpaste. Also, be on the lookout for several bothersome product placement scenes. (1:36 - PG for wacky violence/action, language and innuendo)

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