🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: David Kellogg
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family, Sci-Fi
- Release year: 1999
- Runtime (length): 1h 18min
- IMDb rating: 4.2/10 (52K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 21%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bumbling security guard gets upgraded with a bunch of random gadgets and then proceeds to accidentally solve crimes while hitting on a scientist, all while a rich dude with a robot hand tries to steal her science.
🍿 Inspector Gadget: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to John Brown
John Brown is introduced as a security guard with aspirations of becoming a police officer in Riverton, Ohio. He cares for his niece, Penny, and their dog, Brain. John is also smitten with Dr. Brenda Bradford, a robotics expert working on advanced prosthetics. His dreams are put on hold after a fateful encounter.

The Attack and Transformation
Sanford Scolex, a millionaire, attacks Dr. Bradford’s lab, stealing equipment and murdering her father. John tries to stop him, resulting in a car crash and an explosion orchestrated by Scolex, leaving John gravely injured. Dr. Bradford uses her technology to rebuild John, turning him into Inspector Gadget, a cybernetic police officer with numerous gadgets.

Gadget vs. Claw
Now Inspector Gadget, John faces the challenge of mastering his new abilities. Meanwhile, Scolex, having lost a hand in the explosion, becomes Dr. Claw. He hires Dr. Bradford and creates RoboGadget, an evil robot programmed with a copy of Gadget’s chip. RoboGadget begins wreaking havoc on the city, framing the real Gadget.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Inspector Gadget (Matthew Broderick): A security guard transformed into a bumbling cybernetic police officer with an array of gadgets.
- Sanford Scolex/Dr. Claw (Rupert Everett): A multi-millionaire tycoon turned villainous cyborg seeking to steal technological secrets and destroy Inspector Gadget.
- Brenda Bradford (Joely Fisher): A robotics expert who rebuilds John Brown into Inspector Gadget and becomes his love interest.
- Penny (Michelle Trachtenberg): Gadget’s intelligent niece who often helps solve cases.
- Gadgetmobile (D.L. Hughley): Inspector Gadget’s talking, gadget-filled car that assists him in his crime-fighting efforts.
- Chief Quimby (Dabney Coleman): The police chief who initially denies John Brown’s application but eventually respects Inspector Gadget.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dr. Claw: “Well, you crushed my hand and I really liked that hand. So Go-Go get over it!” – Said to Inspector Gadget after Gadget is rebuilt, highlighting Claw’s desire for revenge and twisted sense of humor.
- Inspector Gadget: “You blew me up and my Chevette. And I really liked that car.” – Said to Dr. Claw as a light-hearted declaration of revenge.
- Dr. Claw: “Arrivederci, Gadget! This is not good-bye. I’ll get you next time, Gadget! I’ll get you!” – Said by Dr. Claw at the end of the film.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $90,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $97,403,112
- Worldwide Gross: $134,403,112
💥 Inspector Gadget Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll admit it: I had a soft spot for this movie as a kid. It’s goofy, the effects are cheesy, and the story is all over the place, but there’s a certain charm to its ridiculousness. Matthew Broderick tries his best, and Rupert Everett seems to be having a blast as the over-the-top Dr. Claw. The scene where Gadget first discovers his gadgets and accidentally wreaks havoc on the lab always cracked me up. Yeah, it’s not high art, but it’s a fun, mindless watch that takes me back to being a kid, and the Gadgetmobile always made me laugh!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Matthew Broderick”
- “Families looking for lighthearted entertainment”
- “Viewers interested in 90s nostalgia”
- “Those who enjoy slapstick comedy”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Cartoonish violence”
- “Mild action sequences”
- “Some suggestive humor (related to gadgets)”
- “Brief scene of peril”
Professional Reviews
- Common Sense Media: “While this live-action take on the classic cartoon has some fun gadgets and slapstick, it lacks the wit and charm of the original. The story is weak, and the characters feel underdeveloped. It’s mostly harmless, but not particularly memorable or engaging.
- Entertainment Weekly: “The movie is a gadget-filled mess. Broderick and Everett mug their way through this picture with the gay abandon of men who have spotted a rare species of paycheck in the distance.
Audience Reactions
The Gadgetmobile’s witty banter and D.L. Hughley’s voice acting were a highlight for many.: Many felt the movie was fun for kids but strayed too far from the original cartoon.
Overall Consensus: While some find it entertaining as a mindless kids’ movie, ‘Inspector Gadget’ is largely criticized for deviating from the original cartoon’s charm and wit, resulting in a forgettable and poorly executed adaptation.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Don Adams, the original voice of Inspector Gadget in the animated series, provides the voice of Brain in the closing credits, a nod to the original show.”
- “The Disney logo at the end of the film is designed to look like a malfunctioning gadget, with parts falling off, which sets a tone of mechanical humor.”
🖥️ How to Watch Inspector Gadget?
As a Disney film, Inspector Gadget (1999) is readily available on Disney+. You may also find it for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Inspector Gadget, you might like these similar films:
- RoboCop (1987): Shares the theme of a law enforcement officer being rebuilt with cybernetic enhancements to fight crime, but with a darker and more mature tone.
- The Rocketeer (1991): A family-friendly superhero adventure with a retro aesthetic and a focus on fun gadgets and action.
- Spy Kids (2001): Focuses on family-friendly action and the use of over-the-top gadgets to thwart villains.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023): Shares the elements of hero story with a comedic tone.
🛒 Inspector Gadget Related Products
- Inspector Gadget (1983) – The Original Series: Relive the original adventures of Inspector Gadget in this classic animated series. Watch Penny and Brain as they help the bumbling inspector defeat Dr. Claw.
- Inspector Gadget Action Figure: A vintage action figure of Inspector Gadget. Poseable figure with iconic gadgets to recreate your favorite scenes.
- Inspector Gadget T-Shirt: Officially licensed Inspector Gadget T-shirt featuring classic cartoon imagery.
- Inspector Gadget – Nintendo Switch Game: Solve crimes and stop Dr. Claw in this brand new Inspector Gadget adventure
🎧 Soundtrack
Inspector Gadget features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Inspector Gadget” – performed by Haim Saban and Shuki Levy
- “I’ll Be Your Everything” – performed by Youngstown
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Reviews for the 1999 Inspector Gadget movie are mixed. Some find it entertaining for kids, while others criticize it for straying from the original cartoon and for its weak plot and acting. It’s generally considered a lighthearted, family-friendly film, but not a critical success.
The villain in the 1999 Inspector Gadget movie is Sanford Scolex, who later becomes known as Dr. Claw. He is played by Rupert Everett.
Matthew Broderick plays Inspector Gadget (formerly John Brown) in the 1999 live-action movie.
🔥 Bonus Content
WHY IS INSPECTOR GADGET SO HORNY??? (feat. FND FILMS)
Ever wondered if Inspector Gadget was a little… *too* enthusiastic about his job? This commentary track dives deep into the weirdness of the movie, and honestly, some of their points are hilarious and surprisingly insightful!
1999 DISNEY’S INSPECTOR GADGET SET OF 8 McDONALD’S HAPPY MEAL MOVIE COLLECTION VIDEO REVIEW
Remember those ‘Inspector Gadget’ Happy Meal toys from McDonald’s? This video’s a total blast from the past, showing off the whole set! It’s kinda crazy how much detail they put into these things, considering they were just freebies.
Inspector Gadget is Dr. Claw? Inspector Gadget Theory | Channel Frederator
Okay, get this: what if Inspector Gadget and Dr. Claw are the *same* person? This theory video makes some wild points, but it’s so intriguing you might actually start to believe it! Definitely worth a watch if you want to have your mind blown.
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