When we think of main characters, we usually don’t concentrate on the sidekicks too much. But usually the sidekick is the one that’s taking care of business – especially if your sidekicks are Bachman-Turner Overdrive. This week, we are focusing on 2 very special sidekicks – Mathilda from The Professional, and Penny & Brain from “Inspector Gadget”. Who would you want protecting your back? Who is the one you want to see you get out of a bad spot? We will let you decide.
Mathilda (The Professional)
Léon: The Professional, is a 1994 English-language French crime thriller film In the film Leon (Jean Reno), a professional hitman, reluctantly takes in 12-year-old girl Mathilda, after her family is murdered by corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration agent Norman Stansfield (Gary “EV-ERY-ONE!!!” Oldman). Léon and Mathilda form an unusual relationship, as she becomes his protégée and learns the hitman’s trade. Mathilda Lando is a twelve-year-old girl who is smokes and uses foul language . Mathilda lives with her dysfunctional family in an apartment down the hall. Her abusive father and self-absorbed stepmother have not noticed that Mathilda stopped attending class at her school for troubled girls. It’s not until her family is murdered that she seeks revenge for what the dirty cops did to her family. She lives and takes care of Leon, her new mentor, teacher and father figure.
Leon teaches her how to use all sorts of weapons, making her a deadly little assassin. She is skilled using hand guns, rifles, knives, and all sorts of small weapons. She’s a mini hit girl! (Not to be confused with Hit-Girl from the “Kick-Ass” series).
Penny / Brain (Inspector Gadget)
Inspector Gadget is a famous cyborg police inspector with a seemingly endless amount of gadgets he can summon by saying “Go-Go-Gadget” then the gadget’s name. The word “Gadget” is actually part of the name, as hinted at in some episodes, (e.g.: Gadget copter). Although he has all this equipment, Gadget is ultimately incompetent and clueless.
Penny is Gadget’s precocious and intelligent niece. She is a master of investigation and technology who is the one truly responsible for foiling M.A.D.’s schemes, a fact only Brain knows. Using a computer disguised as a book and a utility wristwatch, she monitors her Uncle Gadget’s activities, communicates with Brain and foils M.A.D.’s plots. Penny often gets captured by M.A.D. agents before calling Brain for help or escaping by herself.
Brain is Inspector Gadget’s and Penny’s pet dog and companion. He is bipedal and intelligent, in the same way as a human. He assists Penny in keeping Gadget out of danger and solving crime. Brain uses a variety of disguises which always fool Gadget, although Gadget usually mistakes him for a M.A.D. agent. Brain’s collar is outfitted with a retractable video communications system linked to a computer wristwatch Penny wears that allows her to relay information on Gadget’s activity or warn Brain as to the whereabouts of M.A.D. agents. Brain can communicate with humans through a gruff, Scooby-Doo-like “dog” voice or pantomime and physical gestures .
With all that said, who would you like to see on your side and to get you out of sticky situations – Mathilda, or Penny & Brain? We will let the fans decide. Vote now, and tell us what you think of this fine sidekick battle. If you want to hear us talk about this in greater length, and who we choose, then go to podcastunlimited.com and listen, and download episode 34.