Release: March 1, 2011
Film: Inspector Gadget (1999)
This review contains examples of:
- Adaptation Distillation: The Critic's main complaint with the film:Critic: So, let's just recap; Dr. Claw isn’t called Dr. Claw, he doesn't own a terrorist organization called MAD, he sounds less like a monster and more like a fashion critic, and the fact that you never see in the show is being replaced with seeing him all the time! I mean, WOW; did they get one thing right? Why did you change so much? Were you afraid that if you stuck too closely to the cartoon that it wouldn't be taken as seriously?
- Big-Lipped Alligator Moment: In-Universe; the Critic takes a stab at the random cutaway gags between scenes with a series of his own cutaways showing him dancing to a trippy background.
- Big "OMG!": The Critic's reaction to the amount of extra scenes during the credits.
- Blipvert: The Critic criticizes the editing in the movie, citing a shot that only lasts for half a second:Critic: What is the point of putting that shot in if you can barely see it? Was there a subliminal message that was trying to be snuck through? Actually, slow it down; let’s take a look. ("Matthew Broderick really IS a robot") Ha! I knew it!
- Call-Back:
- One of the gadgets that Inspector Gadget has is an item that blows bubbles. When this appears in the movie, the "FUCKING BUBBLES!" clip plays, which was first used in the "Return of the Nostalgic Commercials" video.
- When introducing Matthew Broderick as Gadget, he refers to him as "The guy who said 'That's a lot of fish' in Godzilla (1998)." This gets a Brick Joke later in the review when RoboGadget is terrorizing a bunch of citizens, with the Critic adding a bad Japanese-dub-style of him saying "That's a lot of fish" over his rampage.
- He also refers back to his review of Cool As Ice when he notes that the same director is behind this as well.
- Character Catchphrase: After Inspector Gadget comes back to life "through the will of heart", The Critic waits for Ma-Ti to come in any say his catchphrase, "Heart". But when he doesn't, The Critic visits Ma-Ti and forces him to say it.Ma-Ti: Is that all I'm good for, ya freak?!
- Cliché Storm: In-Universe, the Critic accuses the film of being this, noting its reliance on overused gags, jokes, and sound effects in its attempts at comedy. He even notes that several of the gags take on an identical pattern in which some slapstick happens, a random henchmen gives a "huh?" expression, and Inspector Gadget mugs for the camera like an idiot (which he calls "slapstick, 'huh?', idiot" for short).
- From Bad to Worse: The Critic considers Broderick's performance as the evil RoboGadget to be even worse than when he's playing Inspector Gadget.
- Gag Dub: The Critic creates two for different movies in response to certain moments in the Inspector Gadget film — one for A New Hope, in which Darth Vader accidentally lets slip to Princess Leia that he's her father and is relieved when she didn't understand (based on the film's attempt to keep Dr. Claw's face in the shadows after it has already been revealed); and one for The Silence of the Lambs, in which an interrogation between Clarice and Hannibal has obnoxious sound effects added to it (inspired by the Wacky Sound Effects that constantly play throughout the movie).
- "Not Making This Up" Disclaimer: During the scene where a Yahoo! sign falls on Dr. Claw's car, the Critic makes sure to point out that he didn't add the jingle.
- Precision F-Strike: Delivers a barrage of these to the filmmakers in his "The Reason You Suck" Speech mentioned below, having finally been driven mad by the film trying so hard to force a laugh even over the end credits.
- Rage Breaking Point: After suffering through a buttload of groaners, having to suffer through the endless cutaway clips in the ending credits finally brings the Critic to this point, and he thoroughly trashes the film for failing to understand the basics of good comedy.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Furious at the constant gag clips in the credits, the Critic calls out the filmmakers on their relentless attempts to force some kind of laugh out of the audience, ultimately deeming them to be desperate in this effort.
- Review Ironic Echo: When Gadget catches up to Dr. Claw and Robo Gadget, Dr. Claw says, "God, you're irritating." The Critic replied, "I actually think that was the critic's quote on the DVD." Cut to a photoshopped DVD cover with that quote, from Roger Ebert.
- Running Gagged: When Robo Gadget laments that he and the original Gadget could have ruled the world, the "OF COURSE!" clip attempts to force its way onscreen, but the Critic swats it away, saying, "It's not worth it."
- So Okay, It's Average: The Critic admits that while he thinks the show is good for kids, he doesn't find it to be anything special.
- Take That!: The Critic repeats his dislike for Matthew Broderick as an actor, finding him to be both bland and confused as to how he should emote onscreen.
- He also takes a shot at Rupert Everett (And Guy Ritchie) as the actor(s) "who ruined Madonna's career".
- Tempting Fate: The Critic is relieved to finally make it to the end credits, only to be brought to his breaking point when he discovers them to be loaded with gag clips.
- This Is Gonna Suck: The Critic feigns optimism when he notes that the director of this movie is the same director responsible for Cool As Ice.Critic: (singsong) I smell GENIUUUUUS!
- Worst. Whatever. Ever!: He completely tears apart the fourth wall joke made when Scolex, Kramer and Gadget all stare collectively at the camera for no reason in a nod to the audience, calling it one of the worst of its kind for being so poorly thought out.
- He has gone on record to say he still considers it one of the most frustrating films he's had to review, attacking its relentless attempts at comedy and unfaithfulness to the show it was based on.
"It's a DISNEY movie!"
