Inspector Gadget
Directed by David KelloggMatthew Broderick stars as Inspector Gadget, who suffers an accident at the beginning of the film, and befriends Dr. Brenda Bradford, a robotic surgeon who repairs him so that he can defeat the villain, Dr. Claw. In the meantime, they fall in love.
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Inspector Gadget Ratings & Reviews
- Manuel FrangisMarch 26, 2025I just watched Inspector Gadget and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. This movie is pure nostalgic fun. It is goofy, lighthearted, and completely over-the-top in the best way possible. It knows exactly what kind of movie it is and fully leans into the cartoon energy without ever taking itself too seriously. I loved it as a kid, and honestly, I still love it now. Matthew Broderick plays Inspector Gadget, and he does a great job at bringing that mix of cluelessness, kindness, and robotic weirdness to the role. He is just a regular guy at first, but after an accident, he’s turned into a high-tech cyborg loaded with gadgets—some that work, some that definitely don’t. Watching him try to learn how to control all his gadgets is hilarious. He is awkward, unpredictable, and completely out of his element, but that is what makes him such a fun character to watch. The movie does a great job translating the cartoon into live action. From the design of Gadget’s suit and car to the over-the-top sound effects and cartoon-style humor, it feels like you’re watching a Saturday morning cartoon brought to life. Everything is bright, colorful, and full of energy. The movie keeps things moving from start to finish with gadgets popping out every five seconds and wild situations happening nonstop. Dr. Claw is the villain, and he’s just as ridiculous as you’d expect. He’s got the evil laugh, the dramatic plans, and a whole army of goofy henchmen. He’s not super scary, but he’s fun to watch. His over-the-top personality fits the tone of the movie perfectly. They even gave him a full on origin story and showed his face, which is different from the cartoon but works in this version. Penny and Brain are both in the movie too, and even though they don’t get as much screen time as I’d like, they still play important roles. Penny is smart and always one step ahead, and Brain the dog gets in on the action in his own sneaky way. It’s cool seeing them help out and try to keep Gadget out of trouble, just like in the show. The visual effects are super fun, especially for the late 90s. Sure, some of the CGI looks dated now, but it fits with the movie’s silly style. You’re not here for realism—you’re here for spring-loaded legs, extendable arms, and helicopter hats, and this movie delivers all of that and more. The action scenes are cartoonish in the best way and never get too intense or dark. The humor is very kid-friendly, but there are a few jokes that older viewers can still laugh at. A lot of it comes from Gadget’s clueless reactions to everything and the way his gadgets malfunction at the worst possible times. It’s slapstick done right, with just the right amount of heart mixed in. I give Inspector Gadget 5 out of 5 stars because it’s exactly what I wanted it to be. It’s silly, fun, and packed with nostalgia. It’s not trying to be a high stakes action movie or a deep story. It’s just trying to entertain and it totally does. Overall Inspector Gadget is a fun, cartoon-inspired adventure that brings a classic character to life in a wild and goofy way. I had a great time watching it and I’ll definitely be rewatching it again. Go-Go-Gadget rewatch.
- KylachamJune 23, 2025There were really no redeeming qualities to this film, at best you can hope the colours and movements will keep your kids' attention. If you make the mistake of paying attention yourself you will find no cleverness, no entertainment, and no joy. Inspector Gadget deserved more, this film can go-go to the gadget garbage.
Inspector Gadget Trivia
Inspector Gadget was released on July 23, 1999.
Inspector Gadget was directed by David Kellogg.
Inspector Gadget has a runtime of 78m.
Inspector Gadget was produced by Roger Birnbaum, Jordan Kerner, Andy Heyward.
The key characters in Inspector Gadget are John Brown / Inspector Gadget / Robo Gadget (Matthew Broderick), Sanford Scolex / Dr. Claw (Rupert Everett), Brenda / Robobrenda (Joely Fisher).
Inspector Gadget is rated PG.
Inspector Gadget is an Action, Adventure, Comedy film.
Inspector Gadget has an audience rating of 1.9 out of 10.