G-FORCE (2009)

Directed By: Hoyt Yeatman
Written By: Corman Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley
Story By: Hoyt Yeatman & David P.I. James
Cinematography By: Bojan Bizelli
Editor: Mark Goldblatt & Jason Hellmann

Cast: Zach Galifianakis, Bill Nighy, Will Arnett, Kelli Garner, Gabriel Casseus, Loudon Wainwright III, Niecy Nash ;Voices of: Nicholas Cage, Penelope Cruz, Tracy Morgan, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Jon Favreau


I can’t use the excuse of having children or having kid relatives as a reason or excuse to watch this film. Time to time I like to watch a children’s movie. I crave a little innocence and stupidity on the screen. The film is cute, I can’t judge it against masterpieces, But as far as a kid’s films go this family friendly film is very entertaining. No real Logic, but cute enough to make it feel dumb.

The story is about a group of secret FBI agents who are talking guinea pigs as they try to stop a worldwide disaster after having there division disassembled.

Now this is not like back in my day talking animal films. While the movie is live action. The guinea pigs and other rodents are all computer animated. The film is intended to be in 3-D. Though to me that usually is the sign that a film’s quality is pretty bad. It stays true to that fact as there is no real reason for this film to be in 3-D. the story is rather thin and ridiculous. So the added dimension is to keep kids from being bored.

Two things about this movie made me think. First of all with the success of SHREK and the fact that your salary goes up for each sequel using your voice if you are a star. My question is now Cameron Diaz makes around $10 million for each SHREK sequel of she decides to do a voice in another animated film. What’s her salary? Is it the same or half and is the reason so many stars are doing more animated films because of this and the ease of the work? Plus how much does a Brad Pitt make for voice only performance versus his usual fee?

The other thing I noticed is how many adult oriented comedians often appear in these films. I imagine they do it for the Paycheck plus they can be as wacky as they want and still be working and not have the film rest on their shoulders. Parents and adults in the audience recognize them and maybe as the kids get older and age appropriate they can stay fans and finally see the comedians adult material.

Like if this film breaks box-office records, Sam Rockwell is a moderately successful actor but not a star does his salary go up for future voice work. Does it affect his salary for live action films since he now has a hit behind him.

It’s not shocking that the film was originally Concieved by the director’s son. Who was five years old at the time.

GRADE: C