Movies - Inspector Gadget

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	Movies - Inspector Gadget

Inspector Gadget is a 1999 live-action film based on the popular cartoon series Inspector Gadget. It starred Matthew Broderick as the title character, along with Rupert Everett as Dr. Claw, and Michelle Trachtenberg as Penny. Two new characters were introduced, Brenda Bradford (Joely Fisher) and the Gadgetmobile (D.L. Hughley). This film was produced by Caravan Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures, and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution.

Plot

John Brown is a security guard for robotics expert Brenda Bradford. Sanford Scolex attacks the lab, killing Brenda's father and stealing valuable equipment for 'The Gadget Program'. John, who is smitten with Brenda, gives chase. The ensuing car crash brings a confrontation with Scolex, who uses an explosive to blow up John and his car. A bowling ball in the backseat of said car flies into the air and through the sunroof of Scolex's limo, crushing his hand. John is rushed to intensive care, with Brenda feeling that he is 'the perfect candadate' for the Gadget Program.

John is rebuilt using cybernetic parts, and is dubbed 'Inspector Gadget'. The woman behind the procedure is Brenda herself, who explains that such a thing was the entire purpose of the Gadget Program. Meanwhile, Scolex is built a new, mechanical claw as his hand, and dubs himself 'Claw' (Dr. Claw). He then proceeds to build an android from the equipment stolen, but it refuses to function. The reason is that an intergral control chip was left behind, and without it, the equipment is useless. Scolex hires Brenda as his worker (expressing feelings for her in the process), and is amused to discover that John is the 'lucky duck they plucked for the Gadget Program'.

John investigates and discovers that Scolex was indeed that man behind the crime. But upon sneaking into Scolex Industries, he is kidnapped, and Scolex takes his control chip for his own android, leaving John for all intents and purposes, dead (since his body, now more machine than human, needs the chip to function). Scolex uses the chip to animate RoboGadget, an android clone of John, and orders him to destroy the city while dumping Gadgets body in the dump. Brenda realizes Scolex murdered her father, and races to save John. Kissing his cheek, John miraculously comes to life, and, as Penny says, has the heart to move: with that, the chip doesn't matter.

After a chase through the city between the GadgetMobile and Scolex's equally tricked out limo, John battles RoboGadget, who, despite his gadget being geared towards combat than detective work, quite literally, loses his head (it actually falls off, and John tosses it in the river). Activating his trademark Helicopter Hat, John flies to the roof of Scolex Industries, where Scolex is preparing to make his escape. After John disables the 'copter', both crash to the plaza below, where police await to arrest John. Penny arrives with a reformed minion of Scolex, who confesses the entire plan. Chief Quimby clears Gadget of all charges, and Scolex is arrested.

Response

Fans of the television cartoon were appaled at the movie. Gagdet, rather than a bumbling, clueless robot, is a human who actually does detective work and solves the case. Penny, who was the real brains of the family in the cartoon, does her part to help, but ultimately is a secondary character. Brain is an ordinary dog rather then a talented canine capable of donning disguises.

Fans also say the movie was much darker than the cartoons, and was cheesy since it poked fun at himself (Scolex is perfectly aware that he is evil). They say that the idea of a RoboGadget was terrible, and his terroization of the city had no purpose other then to create more humor (at one point, Robotgadget walks on extended legs and spews fire from a flamethrower, in a parody of Godzilla. There is even a Japanese man screaming "This is why I left Tokyo!"). The introduction of Brenda Bradford and GadgetMobile was also viewed by fans as pointless.

The movie spawned a direct-to-video sequel, IG2. The film did even worse, with fans, in a bizarre paradox from response to the first film, claiming the sequel failed because it is too much like the cartoon. The character, G2, a female robot Gadget, is introduced to the spite of fans. Gadget once again becomes clueless, and Dr. Claw's face is never seen. As well, Brenda Bradford vanishes, and all characters are portrayed by different actors, with French Stewart as the role of Gadget.

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Movies - Inspector Gadget

Plot

Response

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