Loosely based on the 1983-1986 animated television series of the same name, the film stars Matthew Broderick as the title character, Rupert Everett as Dr. Claw, Michelle Trachtenberg as Penny, and Dabney Coleman as Chief Quimby.

The film tells the origin story of Inspector Gadget as he attempts to foil an evil plot concocted by the series villain, Dr. Claw.

Sanford Scolex, a tycoon, uses a robotic tank to break into the Bradford laboratory and steals the foot to build an army of androids from its technology, assassinating Artemus in the process.

Brenda decides to make Brown, who nearly died from the fiery car explosion, the first test subject for the Gadget Program.

Upset at not being taken seriously, Brown begins investigating on his own and finds a piece of scrap metal, which he later connects to Scolex with Penny's help.

Brenda encounters her own robotic doppelgänger, Robo-Brenda, who confirms Scolex stole the foot and murdered her father.

Brown deconstructs a pen in his finger, whilst remembering the "visualizing [his] goal" advice from the guru, and launches the metal ink chamber, sending it bouncing around until it hits a button on Scolex's claw, causing it to clamp shut and break the joystick of the helicopter.

Brenda leaps out of the spinning helicopter onto Brown's back and they fall down the side of Scolex's skyscraper, using a parasol to land safely.

Saluted and acknowledged by Quimby as an actual member of the police force, Brown departs with Brenda and Penny while Scolex vows revenge as he is taken away by the cops.

[7] Brendan Fraser was considered for the role of Inspector Gadget, but turned it down on account of working on George of the Jungle, another live-action Disney film based on an animated cartoon.

[8] Kevin Kline, Steve Carell, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Mike Myers, Jay Mohr, Jerry Seinfeld, Mel Gibson, Dana Carvey, Michael Keaton, Adam Sandler, and Robin Williams were also considered for the role.

[9][failed verification] The Gadgetmobile, designed by Brenda Bradford, is a white & chrome 1962 Lincoln Continental convertible instead of a Matra Murena/Toyota Supra hybrid from the cartoon.

Among other things, he can camouflage himself, has a radar system to track Gadget's location (and other people's as well), can extend his tires upwards, has retractable jail bars in his back seat (for transporting criminals), a vending machine (options on this include Skittles, M&M's, Surge, Sprite, Coca-Cola and McDonald's), police lights hidden in the hood that mechanically move onto the windshield, and a jet engine he keeps in his trunk.

The soundtrack of the film, composed by John Debney, contains the singles "All Star" by Smash Mouth and "I'll Be Your Everything" by the boy band Youngstown.

[13] Metacritic reports a weighted average score of 36 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".

[16] In his review for the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert gave the film one-and-a-half stars out of four and mentioned that fans were angered when Dr. Claw reveals himself in the movie.

[18] On the other hand, Susan Stark from Detroit News commented that the film was "quick, mischievous, and full of visual trickery," but lacked magic.

The sequel drew more from its source material than the original film and also experienced a slightly improved critical reception, earning a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 5 reviews.