Inspector Gadget

While the spirit of the Saturday morning cartoon survived the trip to the multiplex, the script for this big screen adaptation succumbs early to the worst kind of post-modern kiddie flick formula. Disappointingly dependent on retread gimmicks, the bare-bones plot rips through the 78 minute running time at breakneck speed, but is only fun in four- or five-second spurts. Matthew Broderick (as the slapstick cyborg detective with a helicopter hat and spring-loaded legs) and Rupert Everett (as his high-tech, hook-handed nemesis, Claw) lead a great cast that goes to waste on a story as messy as a 4-year-old with fingerpaints. In short, no, no Gadget. Not recommended. (R. Blackwelder)