Rodent-sized action in 'G-Force'

July 30, 2009

By JAKE COYLE The Goshen News Thu Jul 30, 2009, 11:35 AM EDT

“G-Force” has been billed as producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s first foray into animation, which suggests his live-action films contain something resembling “reality” and “humans.”

Shrinking Bruckheimer’s usual visual-effects mayhem down to rodent size, “G-Force” is centered on a elite squad of guinea pigs who resemble small(er) versions of Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible.”

The guinea pigs are voiced by Sam Rockwell (Darwin), Tracy Morgan (Blaster) and Penelope Cruz (Juarez). Nicolas Cage, doing the finest voice-over work in the movie, plays Speckles, a computer specialist mole.

They are collectively (along with a voice-less, camera-wielding fly) under the tutelege of G-Force’s creator, Ben. (Only the little critters are animated.) He’s played by the usually unconventional comedian Zach Galifianakis, introduced to many earlier this summer in “The Hangover.”

Ben’s pipsqueak task force is quickly shut down by FBI special agent Kip Killian, played by Will Arnett. The group nevertheless rallies to help uncover the duplicitous dealings of industrialist Leonard Saber (Bill Nighy), whose big plans for world domination include evil coffee makers — a feat, of course, already accomplished by Starbucks.

But you don’t come to see “G-Force” for the intrigue; you come for the talking guinea pigs.

If “G-Force” has a cousin, it isn’t “Ratatouille” (not by a long shot), but “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” the 2007 film that also married live action with furry, animated cliches.

None in the G-Force come through much as characters. Juarez, we are told, is an attractive guinea pig; a propensity to flirt is her only characteristic. Darwin, the leader, remains a blank slate, but at least is animated in such a way to mimic how Rockwell speaks out of the side of a smirk. Blaster shouts tired urban slang like “Holla!” and “Pimp my ride!”

Like a number of Hollywood’s offerings this summer, “G-Force” is in 3-D. Depending on your perspective, that means either a more interesting viewing experience or simply a more expensive one.

“G-Force” is directed by Hoyt Yeatman, a longtime visual effects maestro on Bruckheimer’s films, including “Armageddon” and “Con Air.” The 3-D effects are occasionally impressive, as when the fly buzzes over your shoulder.

But an opportunity was missed to exploit the 3-D technology from the perspective of hamster-sized spies. And when will effects wizards realize the most important feature of an animated creature isn’t the pixels of its fur, but the liveliness of its eyes?

The movie credits Yeatman with the film’s story and five writers with the screenplay. The group effort, though, wasn’t enough to prevent a climax that will have moviegoers wondering if they accidentally wandered into the theater for the latest “Transformers” film.

Most depressing about “G-Force” is the talent wasted in the name of family entertainment. Galifianakis, Morgan and Arnett are all funnier falling out of bed. Galifianakis, at least, manages to slide in one smart quip: His reconnaissance mosquito rescued, he rejoices: “I don’t like it when my fly is down.”

But “G-Force” ultimately reveals itself as no more than a pest. In one scene, the fly zooms up Nighy’s nose, which is something like the sensation of watching this talking guinea pig movie in 3-D.

Text Only

Entertainment

GC ads air during Grammys
Adele was the queen of the night at The Grammy Awards Sunday. But another big winner was Goshen College.

February 14, 2012 1 Photo
GC ads air during Grammys
Adele was the queen of the night at The Grammy Awards Sunday. But another big winner was Goshen College.

February 14, 2012 1 Photo
Toledo Symphony, Goshen College choirs in concert Feb. 19
The Toledo Symphony Orchestra and Goshen College choirs will come together under the direction of Grammy award-winning conductor and Goshen College alumnus Vance George for a Feb. 19 show.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
'Seussical' debuts Friday
Joel Lininger is a 15-year-old boy. He’s also been Tom Sawyer and the King of Hearts. Currently, he’s The Cat in the Hat.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Museum programs to focus on barns
Two events focusing on historic barns are planned at the Midwest Museum of American Art, 429 S. Main St., Elkhart:

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Band's upcoming concert will help keep Goshen festival free
Consider Gina Leichty part of the Lotus fan base.
“I have had the good fortune to see them in a number of ways,” she said. “I saw them when they first started in Newcomer (Center) at Goshen College many, many years ago, and then I’ve seen them perform in front of 20,000 people. ... They’re kind of like the Umphrey’s McGee of Goshen — the small band that is now like very famous.”

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
Lotus returning to its roots for theater benefit
So, what are your influences?
That question is straight out of Music Journalism 101. It’s the obvious question, relevant but perhaps too-familiar to the musicians tasked with answering it. In the case of Lotus, the answer is straightforward: music.

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
Comedian Daniel Tosh coming to the Morris April 18
Will South Bend get a Web redemption?

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
First Fridays to feature films, 'Mardi Gras'
Movies and events for teens are among the activities on tap for First Fridays this week in downtown Goshen.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
Caught in the One Act
Goshen College’s 2012 Winter One Acts will feature a playful opera and a modern drama — each about the misconceptions of identity — directed by two December 2011 graduates.

February 2, 2012 1 Photo
More Entertainment Headlines

The Goshen Housing Authority has a $571,050 shortfall. Should the Goshen City Council use money from its $4.7-million “rainy day” fund to pay the debt and maintain the current level of service provided by the voucher program?

Entertainment

Search Results

Rodent-sized action in 'G-Force'

The Goshen Housing Authority has a $571,050 shortfall. Should the Goshen City Council use money from its $4.7-million “rainy day” fund to pay the debt and maintain the current level of service provided by the voucher program?

Site Map