Inspector Gadget

CrunchyGears13

24 Nov 2025 · via TMDb

2.0

The classic 1983 _Inspector Gadget_ was one of my all-time favorite animated TV shows growing up. However, this 2015 revival series is awful, probably even worse than Disney's live-action Inspector Gadget film from 1999. TBA. However a few episodes in, and I was very disgusted. It focuses too much on childish writing and lacked heart, and also seemed too rushed into storytelling too. The main problem with this reboot is that it gives Gadget's niece Penny way too much of the spotlight like she's the main protagonist, and Gadget barely has any significance at all. So despite being the title character, he's been flanderized so much to the point of him being reduced to a forgettable side character. (talk about a bait-and-switch) I also think Dr. Claw has been downgraded as well, since he's become painfully ignorant, juvenile and less threatening. Plus, giving him a Nephew is unnecessary. In the original series, Dr. Claw seems like he's competent enough to work alone, but still has minions to do his dirty work. Plus, his shoehorned nephew, Talon, is incredibly arrogant and annoying, and his love/hate rivalry with Penny feels unoriginal and forced. I understand they wanted to include a rival for Penny, but Talen doesn't seem to fit in the premise, or the franchise as a whole. Literally every episode is about Dr. Claw doing malicious things for the most boring and juvenile reasons, then Penny and Brain do all the competent work while Gadget does absolutely nothing but saves the day with dumb luck all the time, rinse and repeat. The writing also lacks sincerity, opting for shallow, juvenile and contrived plot lines, and any actual humor or character growth has been sacrificed for cheap jokes and outdated clichés. On top of that, Penny new friend Kayla is just as insufferable, and seasons 3 and 4 made me rage quit. I've seen other negative reviews of this reboot, and I personally agree with them. In conclusion, the 2015 Inspector Gadget reboot is incredibly lackluster and disappointing, and it makes the 2017 _DuckTales_ reboot look like _The Prince of Egypt_.