Inspector Gadget MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: +2

Wowser! Hes no Batman, but the bumbling Inspector Gadget fights crime with a completely accessorized body and Gadget Mobile to match. Rejected by the police force, John Brown (Matthew Broderick) serves as a security guard at a robotics plant in metropolitan Riverside. That is until, while trying to foil a robbery, he suffers life-threatening injuries when his security car is blown up by the robber, a double-dealing business competitor named Scolex (Rupert Everett). Scolexs hand is also injured in the accident, making way for a claw-like replacement and his evil nickname Claw. Dr. Brenda Bradford (Joely Fisher), whose scientist father was killed during the robbery, chooses Brown as the prime candidate for robotic reconstruction in The Gadget Project. Browns human parts are replaced by a sophisticated network of tissue software and hardware, making him the first prototype cyberpolice officer. Outfitted with a helicopter hat, suction cup feet and the like, Gadget hunts down Claw to bring him to justice for the murder of Brendas father. But with stolen technology, Claw manages to manufacture his own evil Inspector Gadget to terrorize Riverside. So its a fight to the end between good Gadget and bad Gadget. Lots of fun action, silly humor, and eye-popping special effects make INSPECTOR GADGET a great fit for young audiences.

Rated PG for comedic violence, the film has no close up or graphic violence. And the only fatality, Professor Bradford, is implied off-screen. During the robbery, Gadgets car explodes, injuring him badly, and a bowling ball crushes Scolexs hand. Car chases and crashes abound and one high-flying actions scene shows Gadget and Brenda falling from a helicopter. Once, while learning how to use his extendible arms, Gadget grabs a mans crotch accidentally. The evil replica of Gadget does the most damage, setting buildings on fire, firing a machine gun from his fingers, shooting missiles from his helicopter, throwing people around, and terrorizing the city. And his mechanical head is shown falling off of his body. The comedic action is similar to cartoon violence, but with real people. Parents will want to caution children that, while realistic, the action is make-believe and should not be imitated. While not offering a lot of depth, INSPECTOR GADGET is fun, fast-moving film that ages 5 and up can Go-Go see.

Preview Reviewer: Cliff McNeely
Distributor: Buena Vista/Disney, 3900 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91521, (818) 567-5000