INSPECTOR GADGET Is A Broken FAILURE | PUPPET PANIC

I tackle the critically-panned and highly disliked live-action INSPECTOR GADGET movie! How badly does it fail to adapt the cartoon?
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[@bvswasgood2981]

One thing no one ever mentions is the fact the movie is the way it is because of studio meddling! Scenes feel too fast paced? Believe me, the studio cut a lot of meaningful stuff. Characters barely talk? Tell that to the cut scenes that add depth to the characters. They cut this movie to shreds and reshot it in an attempt to change Gadget from the persona of earnest, to incompetent like his cartoon counterpart. The movie was never meant to be a direct adaptation - but rather a good story using the characters from the show. The film deserves a second chance to be seen how it was originally meant to.

[@SlayerSantiago]

Strongly agree!

[@koopadude1]

I’ve always thought of this as one of those “It’s So Bad, It’s Good” movies.

[@questworldiangreenknight7455]

Same! 😂

[@robertlauncher]

The best route for claw would’ve been to imitate early Bond’s take on Blofeld, with a large physical actor in a chair stroking Madcat while someone else does the eerie voice. Frank Welker still does voice work and definitely was for Disney in the 90s

[@alexandrefrauches132]

9:00 Since the film was made in the 90's, another better choice for Inspector Gadget would be Christopher Lyod, who knows how to play loud excentric characters (as seen by his role as Doc Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy)

[@robertlauncher]

That would’ve been perfect

[@montanajackson3713]

Perfect choice there.

[@MeganKoumori]

I felt that the direction for this film was, "It's based on a cartoon. We'll fill it with cartoon sound effects and slapstick." And no one on set actually bothered to watch the original. You know it's bad when the DTV sequel nails the casting better than the 75 million dollar theatrical release (French Stewart as Gadget? Yes, please.).

[@katiegordnier655]

Someday I would love to see a new fully animated Inspector Gadget movie, but maybe one of the main focuses be on Gadget and Penny’s relationship, similar to what Dreamworks did with Mr Peabody And Sherman. It could be very sweet. As long as it’s not Chris Pratt voicing Inspector Gadget of course.

[@nickdorenkamp959]

That actually sounds like a good idea. As for who should voice Gadget, yeah anyone but Chris Pratt. Infact personally I'd just cast a well known voice actor.

[@c0mpu73rguy]

Obviously, Chris Pratt would be voicing Chief Quimby, Gadget is way too goofy for him.

[@thefilmingdaniel1716]

I don’t know how people think of what it think, but I think Bill Hader would be a great choice

[@montanajackson3713]

I would so watch a movie like that!

[@marshallhuffer4713]

I would go with Maurice LaMarche as he has voiced Gadget before.

[@choccoy_boi]

10:17 me personally, I think Patrick Warburton might have done a good job at the roll of claw (due to his stolid and monotone aptitude). And I thought maybe Johnny Depp might be good at gadget (because he can play a quirky character if he needs to), but I'm now rethinking that a little.

[@robertlauncher]

If you’re going full camp,(Which is a viable strategy considering the source material) I think Warburton would be amazing as a more comedic but still threatening Doctor Claw

[@choccoy_boi]

that too @@robertlauncher. (off topic, but I love your name)

[@robertlauncher]

@@choccoy_boi Thank you! I got it because in CoD as a kid I’d always just shoot my brothers’ characters in the face with explosives.

[@questworldiangreenknight7455]

Man I wish that would get made!

[@katiegordnier655]

To me the best thing to come out of this Go-Go Gadget disappointment was the awesome McDonald’s Happy Meal set! I still have my near complete Inspector Gadget figure somewhere in storage. (I lost his belt years ago though.) Even when I was ten years old this movie was hard for me to sit through because I loved the cartoon so much. This was just too obnoxious and too far astray from the source material. I do agree with you though that a few of the practical affects are mildly charming and I did forget that Robo-Gadget was the only funny part of the movie, along with Sikes.

[@spongebobcoolduke1537]

Matthew Broderick was great in Ferris Bueller's day off and Simba in the lion king

[@user-bu3gp3us8q]

And glory

[@michaelnally2841]

This maybe weird but I actually saw inspector gadget 2 before I saw the first one and the only joke I remember from it is “go go gadget, something to get me down there!”

[@Fnaf6421]

Me too

[@evenhartwick4422]

my grandma for some reason had the second one on VHS and despite her having no cable, no other movies a kid would like, and practically nothing to do at her house. i never watched it. i remember the cover though, theres like a girl inspector gadget in that one i guess

[@michaelnally2841]

@@evenhartwick4422 yes she’s g2 the newer model basically

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

Also the City is called Riverton But in the original cartoon it was called Metro City

[@thomasspongeconductor2222]

Quite literally the most generic city name in history.

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

@@thomasspongeconductor2222 true

[@questworldiangreenknight7455]

So….Megamind crossover is possible lmao 😂

[@RageONTv]

I always pictured young Chevy Chase as inspector Gadget

[@GaeredLinn]

I grew up watching the original Inspector Gadget from 1983, but I had no idea Disney made a live-action film from 1999, but I think it's a good thing that I didn't watch it. It also had a direct-to-video sequel (just like most of Disney's animated films), and it did try to be more faithful to the cartoon. There was also a reboot show of the 1983 cartoon in 2015, but it was terrible because it deviated from the source material just like the 1999 film. I heard on Wikipedia that Disney is developing a new live-action Inspector Gadget film, but considering Disney's failures in 2023, I hope they step up their game this time.

[@williampulfer-melville8536]

And despite this movie being a disaster they did a sequel which they had to film in my country Australia and hardly any of the actors from the first film came back to reprise their roles with the Exception of Gadgetmobile

[@spinballpac-man]

Funny that you mention Brum at the end as WildBrain own both that and all the incarnations of Inspector Gadget except the movie

[@cinemaarts8795]

There was apparently a disastrous test-screening for Inspector Gadget where one of the major criticism was the level adult jokes. Most of them were removed, which is one of the reasons for the random transissions and why the movie is so short. It all boils down to nobody knew what they wanted to make, on one hand it's more cartoony than the cartoon and on the other, it's too dark and scary for kids.

[@bvswasgood2981]

Disastrous is the wrong word I feel. The director has gone on record saying that these earlier test screenings rated the highest with each edit that removed pivitol elements rating less and less. It's more like the Disney Executives got cold feet because they couldn't market to kids, therefore believed they'd be losing money

[@cinemaarts8795]

@@bvswasgood2981 That's first I've heard of the director commenting on the orignal version. The story I kept hearing was that nobody was pleased with the earlier cut because of the surprisingly amount of adult jokes.

[@GadgetProgram]

The first test screening according to the director got the absolute best response from the audience, subsequent lesser runtime cuts got more negative with each cut. Supposedly the final theatrical cut wasn't even test screened! The lost media wiki for this movie is filled to the brim with all the content Disney deleted from this movie - it's really a shame considering they originally wanted Gadget to be a dark comedy (like New Line's The Mask).

[@montanajackson3713]

Here’s how I would’ve fixed the movie: Make it more faithful to the source material, Give penny and brain more screen time and more to do, cast Christopher Lloyd, Brenden fraiser or Robin Williams as gadget and have claw be more like bond’s blofeld with someone else doing his eerie voice.

[@GadgetProgram]

The original script, the pre-production concept art and the first test screening seem like they were significantly better than what ultimately released in theaters. Disney wanted to make their own version of The Mask (a dark comedy with some fantasy/sci-fi elements) but they got complacent and hacked the final cut to bits because they ultimately wanted to sell more Happy Meals to kids and not necessarily appeal towards the young adults who grew up watching the 1983 Gadget animated series. Barry White as the Gadgetmobile, a Frankenstein's monster plot where Gadget fights off multiple copies of Robo Gadget all while suffering from disrepair, a cameo from the Batmobile, action sequences like miniature ballistic missles firing from Gadget's hat and other scenes like Scolex/Claw racing the Gadgetmobile with the iconic MAD mobile - all these bits that were based on the source material were completely cut or drastically changed in the theatrical release! According to the director - the first test screening cut (which was 110 minutes) received the best reaction from the audience while every subsequent test screened cut with shorter runtimes kept getting more and more negative audience reactions (theatrical cut is 78 minutes).

[@Dinobolt1]

Heh, even at the age of 10 I knew this movie was gonna be bad watching the trailer although my main complaint was that they showed what Dr. Claw looked liked and that just insulted me. If you're going to show a character like that in a live-action movie, build up to his eventual reveal in the movie itself and don't give it away for free. Of course his personality was also nothing like the animated version, who is one of the greatest 80s cartoon villains so that also sucked.

[@PatrickMoore-yw6lu]

I got to say one thing about the two Inspector Gadget movies as they wasted the talents of Don Addams and Frank Welker, who were the voices of Gadget and Dr. Claw respectively. Given that Penny and Brain are the ones who help Gadget leading to him not knowing that they were the ones who help him. Giving that Penny doesn't want her uncle to know about her helping him, as she knows he's kind of dense. I would like to see maybe Dreamworks or Illumination do a better animated Inspector Gadget film and make it more true to the cartoon show and have Frank Welker reprise Dr. Claw. Even bring back Cree Summer and Maurice Lamarche to reprise their roles as Penny and Chief Quimby. I can see Jim Carrey as Inspector Gadget, as he could fit the voice role.

[@juliancaraveo5700]

Alex Hirsch could do the voice of Inspector Gadget as well ( Since he did the voice of Quentin Trembly from Gravity Falls and it sounds a bit similar to Inspector Gadget ).

[@EAFFAEEAF]

Aw man, I discovered this too early! I immediately wanted to see your review of the sequel. I guess I'll be subscribing, then...

[@WhiteJarrah]

There are only two things in the film that feels faithful to the source material. There is a scene when Gadget unwittingly helps a couple of escaped crooks break into a car thinking they lost their keys - that's totally something he would do in the show. And the RoboGadget character is, for all intents and purposes, literally taken from the _Doubled Agent_ episode.

[@mitchfletcher2386]

The original cut is actually pretty good. Feels like how Gadget should be, instead of being an incompetent imbecile. Yes, I know he's supposed to be, but that doesn't make it any easier.

[@ladypool1404]

The second movie is better! It respects more the cartoon; we always saw Claw in the shadows, Penny has a big role and is helping her uncle, his romance with the robot girl is cute; there's slapstick and cartoon sounds effects but it's not annoying. I think you'll enjoy it 🙂

[@questworldiangreenknight7455]

Huh…perhaps I judged the sequel too harshly 😂

[@arquivostvmontagenscdls]

4:04 "Slapstick! Huh? Idiot!" Nostalgia Critc

[@joyunicycle]

I thought the two casting choices were the worst part of the movie (though the writing was bad too). Matthew Bored-wick just seems uninterested as the titular character. Robin Williams would have been perfect as Inspector Gadget. I also think for Dr Claw they should have casted Christopher Lee; he's got the intimidating voice/presence that Dr Claw's supposed to have.

[@thefantasticretroreviewer3941]

Sometimes you cannot win them all

[@questworldiangreenknight7455]

The only part I enjoyed from this film is the “So bad it’s good” acting from Rupert Evert as Dr. Claw. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve laughed at his scenes 😂😂😂

[@gridlo]

Broderick wasn't terrible casting. Not great, but not terrible. The real weakness of the movie is Claw and Gadget's stupid, sassy (and talking for some reason) Jar Jar car.

[@thehonoredone2361]

Had both of these movies on VHS and yea don't know how many times I've watched both of them. While playing on my Nintendo DS.

[@thomasspongeconductor2222]

Great review, Jambareeqi!

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I wanted to like this, but sadly it was a big misfire. I just can't buy Matthew Broderick mugging for the camera as Gadget.

[@michaelmcjunkin1372]

6:10 That and annoy the heck out of the audience.

[@JM_Friends]

Coming from someone that does spoofs..I did both movies as a parody & remember the second one being funnier than the first…the first one was too serious with a bit of humor & love mixed it…they kept the identity of the second one of CLAW hidden

[@theempireeofficial3935]

Hey, Jambareeqi, what’s your favorite Matthew Broderick performances? Mine are Ferris Bueller and Simba.

[@davyjones3105]

Wow I was just watching Nostalgia Critic’s video on this movie holy smokes.

[@baffledbrandon3132]

I think I saw this movie all of once in my life and completely forgot about it afterwards.

[@bradleyhauertheedtruncanfa5020]

Why does Gadget look like a bootleg Oppenheimer tho…?

[@magnetoonproductions9541]

The only good part of the movie was the talking Gadgetmobile. It was the only element of the film that got brought back for later Inspector Gadget projects. At least we have one Inspector Gadget movie that’s decent (Inspector Gadget’s Last Case).

[@thomasspongeconductor2222]

You should seriously do Brum someday.

[@thefantasticretroreviewer3941]

Who said making Movies and TV Shows were easy to pull off?

[@yosoyringodesanantonio8405]

It’s still a Terrible hot mess! 3:35 Matthew Broderick Sucked as Inspector Gadget and his acting Sucked!!! 4:31 - 4:34 - 4:39 Go Go Gadget Nut-Cracker The Editing is AWFULLY difficult to follow, The Jokes Fall Flat, The Acting is Awful, The overly Cartoonish and overly saturated colored sets look like hallmark greeting cards, talking GadgetMobile doesn’t work at all, the Plot is so Difficult to Follow (for me), and the characters are morons!! This is why Live Action Cartoon Adaptations Do NOT Work (It Didn’t Work for Yogi Bear, It Didn’t Work for The Last Airbender, It Doesn’t Work for Garfield, It Doesn’t work for Underdog (2007), it doesn’t work for the chipmunks, or smurfs or Dudley DoRight (if you all don’t remember it because I sure don’t because it looks like garbage that Brendan Fraser secretly wants you to forget), or Rocky and Bullwinkle, or Fat Albert, Or Inspector Gadget!!!

[@ciarangrainger2465]

BRING ON THE BROWNIES!!!!

[@questworldiangreenknight7455]

My favorite quote of the film 😂😂😂 Claw was my favorite part of the movie

[@genitalwarthunder8784]

Did I just see a spoiler warning for a twenty year old movie? 🤣

[@KawikaProductions]

Make that 25!

[@tacksgmvs2070]

This movie is kind of a guilty pleasure for me. I know it’s bad and it’s nothing like the cartoon, but I do find myself entertained by the over the top acting from Claw and Clone Gadget.

[@MrGabeanator]

i've always liked this despite its flaws

[@Snooziac]

I was 8 when this movie came out and I hated it.

[@tombaycka]

You know who I think would’ve been brilliant as Inspector Gadget Michael Richards

[@commercialairliner]

GO GO GADGET MONEY WASTER!

[@trainlover16]

Go go gadget pingas.

[@saffronia2992]

I love this movie!!! And it's not nostalgia talking. Watched it a couple months ago and still love it!!! (Second one is terrible though)

[@Dim4323]

Hear the big the problem. Why show Dr Claw face, in the Orginal you never saw his face he had metal hands and a threatning voice. Hear you his face and he is not that treating he just some guy with a claw and thats not the claw he uses in the cartoon

[@jaemelancholy1684]

Since this is a Disney movie it would be a fun Kingdom Hearts world

[@c0mpu73rguy]

To think this managed to be worse than the animated show it's based on, and the animated show aged terribly (I used to like it as a kid but I was a moron back then). Also (puts on glasses): the original Inspector Gadget had all his gadged enhancements because he slipped on a banana peel according to the lore, not because he tried to stop Claw! Don't try to turn him into Robocop! 2:46 The animated Inspector Gadget was a creep. One example: Episode 12, the one about movie making. So OF COURSE they kept that part of the character in >:( Also, putting that here: IMO, the sequel is better. It's still bad, but it's miles better than this dumpster fire. EDIT: Actually, just to say something positive about the original cartoon: Penny was indeed a pretty good character and was probably one of the earliest example of strong female character in western animation so I'll give it that... Even if her computer book... Thing and her magic watch are completely anachronistic for the early 80's (but yeah, cartoon logic, I know). Also, chief Quimby was a pretty funny character and Claw was kinda intimidating at the time with a voice like that and a face we (thankfully) never saw (because the company that made the toys for the show did show it and... It was bad). If only Gadget was more likeable in this, it would have been a perfectly serviceable show.

[@donaldporr9682]

The movie was okay. Studio meddling made it crap though.

[@AmethystOrlando]

Go go Gadget train wreck