'Cop Out' deserves the bargain bin
Movie Review
Michale Johnson
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment
After their raucous antics earn them unpaid suspensions, partners Jimmy Monroe (Bruce Willis) and Paul Hodges (Tracy Morgan) go on a hunt to reclaim Jimmy's valuable baseball card from the hands of a baseball-loving Mexican Mafioso.
Jimmy needs the card so he can sell it to pay for his daughters $50,000 wedding and prove to his daughter's stepfather that he's not a "bad guy."
If that sounds far fetched, that's because it is. This sounds like something that could have been an 80s comedy classic. In the new millennium, however, "Cop Out" is just a funny movie with reservations at Wal-Mart's DVD bargain bin.
The subgenre of the cop-buddy comedy has seen its day. Unfortunately for "Cop Out," that day was 20 years ago. "Cop Out" wants to be "Lethal Weapon," but Monroe and Hodges just aren't Riggs and Murtaugh. And the ludicrous storyline gets in the way of the characters.
Willis and Morgan work well as a screen duo. Willis is a soberer, more cleaned-up version of his famed "Die Hard" character, John McClane. Monroe is an over-the-top New York City cop, divorced, nearly bad dad. The only thing missing is the booze. Morgan does well as Hodges: an insecure husband who can't seem to stop thinking about his wife's possible infidelities. Morgan brings his unique comedic timing, inducing a laugh with nearly every line. Even if the lines are sometimes taken from movies past.
The real story of "Cop Out" comes from its direction. In case you missed it; "Cop Out" was directed by Kevin Smith ("Clerks"). Smith usually adapts stories he's inked himself. With "Cop Out," he surrendered the pen in favor of focusing on directorial duties. And, surprisingly, Smith is a better director than even he gives himself credit for.
Without having to worry about whether or not his raunchy words were being delivered properly, Smith was able to pour his energy into camera movements and technique. At times Smith seems to be overcompensating, but his vision of an action/comedy isn't bad for a director working outside of his professional norms.
Comedy is the real goal for "Cop Out." With plenty of big laughs that come straight from the dirty dialogue of first-time screenwriters Robb and Mark Cullen the film shouldn't disappoint. Provided you ignore the story (which shouldn't be too hard), "Cop Out" will certainly draw out the chuckles.
Jimmy needs the card so he can sell it to pay for his daughters $50,000 wedding and prove to his daughter's stepfather that he's not a "bad guy."
If that sounds far fetched, that's because it is. This sounds like something that could have been an 80s comedy classic. In the new millennium, however, "Cop Out" is just a funny movie with reservations at Wal-Mart's DVD bargain bin.
The subgenre of the cop-buddy comedy has seen its day. Unfortunately for "Cop Out," that day was 20 years ago. "Cop Out" wants to be "Lethal Weapon," but Monroe and Hodges just aren't Riggs and Murtaugh. And the ludicrous storyline gets in the way of the characters.
Willis and Morgan work well as a screen duo. Willis is a soberer, more cleaned-up version of his famed "Die Hard" character, John McClane. Monroe is an over-the-top New York City cop, divorced, nearly bad dad. The only thing missing is the booze. Morgan does well as Hodges: an insecure husband who can't seem to stop thinking about his wife's possible infidelities. Morgan brings his unique comedic timing, inducing a laugh with nearly every line. Even if the lines are sometimes taken from movies past.
The real story of "Cop Out" comes from its direction. In case you missed it; "Cop Out" was directed by Kevin Smith ("Clerks"). Smith usually adapts stories he's inked himself. With "Cop Out," he surrendered the pen in favor of focusing on directorial duties. And, surprisingly, Smith is a better director than even he gives himself credit for.
Without having to worry about whether or not his raunchy words were being delivered properly, Smith was able to pour his energy into camera movements and technique. At times Smith seems to be overcompensating, but his vision of an action/comedy isn't bad for a director working outside of his professional norms.
Comedy is the real goal for "Cop Out." With plenty of big laughs that come straight from the dirty dialogue of first-time screenwriters Robb and Mark Cullen the film shouldn't disappoint. Provided you ignore the story (which shouldn't be too hard), "Cop Out" will certainly draw out the chuckles.
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