The Other Guys (PG-13)
Mike:
Scott:
Tonight we are reviewing The Other Guys
, a comedy about when the ordinary cops have to step up and become the super cops.
What did I think? I thought this movie was hilarious. I laughed throughout the entire movie. The movie has a relatively simple plot, but I didn’t come to this for a plot. This is worth it for the laughs alone. The good news is that Will Ferrell isn’t the only funny one. Mark Wahlberg is pretty funny his own self. Actually, two of the funniest are Samuel L Jackson and Dwayne Johnson in their short roles at the start of the film. In fact I am now waiting for the action film and/ or spoof that stars those two.
Ferrell and Wahlberg play the usual Odd Couple of cops. One was taken off the streets for shooting the wrong person, while the other stays as far away from the streets as he can get. Ferrell’s Allen Gamble played accountant as a kid and audited his parents as a teenager. This and his love of Little River Band don’t make him any points with partner Terry Hoitz (Wahlberg). Ferrrell is not his normal silly self, but more like a super straight laced nerd. That played against Wahlberg’s always ready for action character makes for some funny situations. This movie is not just funny situations and slapstick, though. The jokes are very well written. Some cover familiar territory, but some will stick with you long after the movie is over.
Two other great additions to the cast are Michael Keaton and Eva Mendes. Keaton is looking a little old, with less hair, if that’s even possible, but he can still make you laugh. Keaton plays Captain Mauch, who keeps giving “the other guys” a break even when they continually screw up. Eva Mendes lights up the screen with a small part, but turns out pretty funny when you find out who she is.
The Other Guys is just the latest collaboration between Adam McKay and Will Ferrell. I personally think it’s funnier with a more even story than Anchorman and maybe even funnier than Talladega Nights. I will warn you, if you don’t like Will Ferrell than this is probably not the movie for you. His character is the focus of the film.
This is an action/comedy and there are some great stunts, chases, explosions, etc. They work better at the beginning of the film as Jackson and Johnson are doing their extreme parody of super cop movies. Oddly, toward the end of the movie, those same action sequences actually seem to slow down the movie as you realize that you’re really not laughing anymore. I think this movie is actually a better comedy than action movie.
I won’t really comment on the music except to say that if you are a fan of the Little River Band, you are in luck!
So how would I rate this? I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars overall and 3 out of 5 for action comedy. The crowd at our screening loved the movie. If you need a good laugh, this is a perfect summer comedy in a summer that has had its share of duds.
