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Genre: Action Comedy
Directed by:
Staring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Ray Stevenson, Samuel L Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Rob Riggle, Damon Wayans Jr
Released: August 6, 2010
THE GENERAL IDEA
Terry Hoitz’s past mistakes in the line of duty and Allen Gamble’s reluctance to take risks have landed them the roles of the “Other Guys”, disgraced New York City police detectives relegated to filling out paperwork for cocky hero cops Danson and Highsmith. The mismatched duo must look past their differences when they take on a high-profile investigation of shady capitalist David Ershon and attempt to fill the shoes of the notoriously reckless officers they idolize.
THE GOOD
Its pretty clear right off the start that this is directed by the same guy who did Anchorman. Adam McKay’s stamp is all over this with wildly random one-step-too-far comedy. It also takes some cues of the two lead’s relationships from Step Brothers which works great too.
Will Ferrell is his standard Ferrell over the top caricature of the gullible reserved desk cop. He isn’t playing the same personality but its all Ferrel’s style. Its good if you enjoy him, which I try not to – but find myself digging it every time. And Eva Mendez? Could that be any hotter? She isn’t in the movie much, but when she is, the room gets a little warmer.
The chemistry between Walberg’s psuedo confidence and Ferrel’s super reserved makes this film work. These two bantering back and forth is half the laughs.
While you really want to be watching a balls out action cop movie that seems to be going on in the background with Samuel L Jackson and Dwayne Johnson’s characters, this takes a funny look at when the supercops are out of the picture. Creative angle on the buddy cop genre.
THE BAD
The action is good if a bit implausible, and while I was very amused with a lot of the film, there were only a few actual laugh out loud moments. A comedy’s primary purpose, no matter how it does it is to make me laugh. This did, just not all the time.
OVERALL
This movie derserves to be ranked among Step Brothers and Anchorman, but as it seems to borrow a lot of themes from both, it appropriately would fit right in the middle as far as my favourite McKay Ferrell team up. Walhberg is a nice addition and works well in this.
As far as throwbacks to 80s buddy cop genres and having fun with it, I wished that Cop Out was more like this.
I give The Other Guys a 8 out of 10
