Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

G-Force

also known as “Mission G,” “Força G-3D,” “G-Force—Agenten mit Biss,” “G-gjengen”
MPA Rating: PG-Rating (MPA) for some mild action and rude humor.

Reviewed by: Raphael Vera
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Better than Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Kids
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Length: 1 hr. 28 min.
Year of Release: 2009
USA Release: July 24, 2009 (wide—3,200theaters)
DVD: December 15, 2009
Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Picturesclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Jerry Bruckheimer Films / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Animals in the Bible

Spies in the Bible

REVENGE—Love replaces hatred—former israeli soldier and an ex-PLO fighter prove peace is possible-but only with Jesus

Kid Explorers
Adventures in the rainforest! Learn about the Creator of the universe by exploring His marvelous creation. Fun for the whole family with games, activities, stories, answers to children’s questions, color pages, and more! One of the Web’s first and most popular Christian Web sites for children. Nonprofit, evangelical, nondenominational.
Featuring voices of Nicolas Cage (Speckles), Steve Buscemi (Bucky), Will Arnett, Penélope Cruz (Juarez), Bill Nighy, Zach Galifianakis, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Michael Papajohn, Kelli Garner, Tracy Morgan, Niecy Nash, Mini Anden, Chris Ellis, Tyler Patrick Jones, Gabriel Casseus, Loudon Wainwright III, Travis Davis, Lili Mirojnick, Paul Joyner, Justin Mentell, Piper Mackenzie Harris, Vincent De Paul, James Huang, Raw Leiba, Silvy Kas, Michael J. Fisher, Hans Raith, Algerita Wynn Lewis, Helen Tucker, Jan Nuuhiwa, Tim Bearden
Director Hoyt Yeatman
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Walt Disney Pictures, Whamaphram Productions, Todd Arnow, Jerry Bruckheimer, Duncan Henderson, David P.I. James, Chad Oman, Mike Stenson
Distributor Walt Disney PicturesWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

“Gadgets. Gizmos. Guinea pigs. In 3-D.”

Disney’s latest live action/CGI family entry, “G-Force,” begins with a trio of “highly trained, genetically engineered” guinea pigs on a mission to raid a suspect’s files and discover what his plans really are.

The guinea pigs led by Darwin (Sam Rockwell) include Blaster (Tracy Morgan), a wise-cracking Latina (Penelope Cruz) and a mole in the role of tech support named Speckles (Nicolas Cage).

We witness the team’s covert entry and escape out of Saber’s (Bill Nighy) estate on the eve of his secret operation’s launch. Soon after successfully completing the mission, their owner/trainer Ben (Zach Galifianakis) gets in trouble with the FBI running the Saber investigation when the stolen information appears to be worthless. G-Force must be shut down, and all evidence of this failed FBI effort must be erased.

The team finds themselves in a pet shop where Darwin finds what may be his long lost brother Hurley (Jon Favreau) and begin immediately to plan their escape, reconnect with Ben and learn the truth about Saber’s operation before it’s too late.

Objectionable

Minor—At one point Juarez, the female, says, “You know you can have me,” and in another scene she sensuously emerges from the water, ala a “Bond girl,” but, as they are guinea pigs, this could hardly be considered as anything but comical.

Potty humor, though frequent, is not blatant for younger minds. The leader, Darwin, is named thus as yet another of Hollywood’s endless tips of the hat to the founder of the unproven, and often contradicted, theory of evolution.

First time director, Hoyt Yeatman, pays homage to numerous action films with both scenes and dialogue echoing “Transformers,” James Bond, “Die Hard” and “Scarface,” among others. The attempt, no doubt, is to entertain adults in a film otherwise for kids. He partially succeeds. Like the scenes mentioned earlier, some of the movie lines used, when taken out of the context of the originating films, were played just for laughs and frequently earned them.

There is a death that takes place off-screen, but the film does not overly dwell upon it.

Lessons

The darkest theme the movie espoused is that of vengeance. The sole motive behind the villain’s plans for “world domination/destruction” is revenge. The Word of God teaches us that this role is to be handled by God alone: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35) and is echoed when God tells us “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge… but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18).

The villain has become a victim of his own hate. The Word teaches us to expect that very result when it says “…for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” (2 Peter 2:19).

The film portrays positively the theme of redemption. It is never too late to right a wrong, and we are charged, as humans not guinea pigs, to do this for our own sakes. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14).

Disney did a great job with the 3D visuals of the film. The depth of the film is always noticeable, and scenes are incorporated that take full advantage of the medium.

The net result is, you have a team of guinea pigs, insects and humans that you realize have come to form not only close friendships but a family.

Overall, the morals of the story are positive ones, but the laughs are not as consistent as this reviewer would have liked, and the unfolding plot and action scenes seem too reminiscent of other movies. Naturally, kids will not see the movie in the same way. A “must see” film for the younger audience it was intended for, I would recommend parents and their kids seeing this in theaters and especially in 3D.

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—Being very skeptical of PG movies, after reading the reviews I brought a 12 and 9-year-old to see this. Although my daughter enjoyed it, she didn’t as much as the older boy child. Definitely geared to the action/adventurous side of boys! As an adult, I enjoyed it, especially the 3-D effects (this was the first film we’ve ever seen in 3-D). I agree with the reviewer as far as content (overall was clean just slightly violent but no different that some G movies), was not offended as far as my Christian perspective on things, and enjoyed this movie. Would definitely recommend to family and friends (esp. those who have boys!).
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Jessica, age 33 (USA)
Positive—Well, all I can say is that this isn’t Disney’s best movie, but it also wasn’t Disney’s worst movie either. The thing that annoyed me about this movie was that the scenes moved way too fast. The plot was too thin and hard to grasp in the beginning, so my advice is to pay attention.

There were some objectionable things, such as one of the guinea pigs says the “s” word. Overall, this movie had a good message—family, and the importance of being a part of a family. The guinea pigs worked together to defeat the villain and learned the importance of what it means to be part of a team. Bottom line? It was an okay movie, but could’ve been better. Keep trying Disney…
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Alex, age 19 (USA)
Positive—I liked it—fun movie. I didn’t find anything objectionable in it for any ages. Wish I had gone to a theatre playing it in 3-D though. The merging of digital and real scenes was pretty amazing.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 5
Joe, age 61 (USA)
Positive—We took our ten and eight-year-old daughters with their friends to see this movie. Overall, it was a cute movie with a lot of action. The only thing I did not care for is the phrase “pimp my ride.” I find the origins of that word to be offensive, even if popular culture has given it new meaning with that phrase. As for the “s” word mentioned by another reviewer, it was actually a play on words. What was said was “…shed yourself…” to the snake.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Jackie Madacki, age 40 (USA)
Negative
Negative—It was dumb! It was obvious! I’ve seen detergents that left a better film than that! Okay, I know I’m way past the target age for this movie. But it was typical of modern 3-D CGI-laden movies: Long on effects, and woefully short on plot. I got a couple of laughs out of it, but in the last act there was a plot twist that made me cry out loud, “NO!” I won’t spoil it for those of you who haven’t seen it, but the ending was so contrived and simplistic it’s not even funny.

I have no Biblical objections to this picture. It might lure a loyal couturier of the small fry, but for this grown-up, “G-Force” was the worst movie I’ve seen since “Howard the Duck”!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 2½
Carrie Rostollan, age 40 (USA)
Negative—There is a four letter word in this movie. Close to the beginning. Just an FYI don’t like my kids heard the s word
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Faith and Chad Presnell, age 29 (USA)
Comments from young people
Positive—This is a good movie. It was like a kid version of “Transformers” pretty much (except the things transforming are household appliances). Nothing in this movie will stand in your way with God. I believe any age is approved to see “G-Force.”
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4
Jadeon, age 14 (USA)
Neutral—I have to say I am not too clear how to rate this movie. Though I do believe that this movie is not appropriate for kids under the age of 8 years. I hardly found any scenes in it that were funny, yet only action and some violence throughout the film. I am grateful “G-Force” had no bad language, because that would have been too much to handle in a “Children’s Movie.” Overall, this movie was not my favorite but it may be able to appease others.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Emily, age 11 (USA)
Positive—I think this movie is pretty good. I saw it in 3-D, which definitely adds appeal. There is some slightly objectionable parts, like the “poop in his hand” thing at the pet shot. Mostly, it is just another kids' movie that is aimed at a young audience wanting explosions, 3D, and special effects.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Garrett T., age 15 (USA)
Positive—I loved the movie! It would have been great if not for a few jokes that I could have lived without hearing. At the end was a great surprise to see, but near the end one of the teammates dies and I heard a poor little girl who was crying in the theater. The machines that come to life could bother 4-6 year old kids, but I enjoyed it and would gladly buy it when it comes on DVD!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
David, age 13 (Canada)
Positive—I enjoyed this movie very much. The main characters were likeable, the action was cool, and there was an awesome plot twist that I DID NOT SEE COMING! And I thought it was cool that at the end the villain changed his mind about destroying the world, and decided to undo the evil he had done. Overall, I think everyone in the family would enjoy this movie, except maybe for really small kids.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Katie, age 17 (USA)
Negative—This is the dumbest movie I have ever seen in my entire life. It is super, super stupid. The actors who voiced the hamsters wasted their talent. Especially Nicholas Cage who has been in a ton of great movies. It is filled with potty humor, and most of the jokes are aimed at little kids. While I am to old for this movie I found it unbearable. Do not waste money by taking your kids to see it. Wait till it comes on TV to have your kids view it.

Do not see it at all it is dumb, corny, and stupid. Disney just threw together a movie with a good cast but hurried it. I usually like Disney movies, but I hated this movie very much. I really liked Disney-Pixar’s “Up” which is one of my favorite movies of all time. If you want a good movie that is actually funny and has a well thought through plot then see “Up” at the dollar theater, or wherever it’s still playing, instead of wasting an hour and a half of your time on seeing the very very very… disappointing movie “G-Force.” This is the worst Disney movie ever made in the history of Disney movies! Go home and watch old Disney movies instead of wasting your time on this pitiful movie!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: ½
Michael Waters, age 14 (USA)
Positive—I went to go see it at the drive in theater with my cousins which all of them are younger and it purely enjoyable. It was funny and a great movie. The plot was interesting you did not see the ending coming. I do wish that I had gone and see in it 3D, but like I said purely enjoyable.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Kait, age 12 (USA)
Positive—I thought this movie was great! It had a great and moral plot. It is moral and a funny movie for people of all ages. Overall, great movie; definitely worth watching.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Samuel, age 12 (USA)
Positive—This movie is cool me, and my dad saw it. It is Better than Average.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Ethan, age 11 (USA)
Positive—This movie is like a kid version of “Transformers.” I love kid movies, they’re pretty cool .
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Ethan, age 11 (USA)
Comments from non-viewers
Once again Disney’s fear of Christianity (the most peaceful belief on the face of the Earth) brings them to stoop to name a main character after Darwin. It’s weak, unimaginative, and cowardly.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2½
Kay, age 49 (USA)