THE OTHER GUYS (REVIEW)
Rated
M 107 mins
Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Damon Wayans
Jr, Steve Coogan, Sara Chase
Do not arrive late if seeing
'The Other Guys' as the smashing opening scene sets the tone for the entire film
and doubles as one of the funniest. The plotline is a basic good cop / bad cop
scenario, done with satire, however that isn't too concerning when the unlikely
pairing of lead actors are in complete control.
Will Ferrell
is Allen Gamble, a precinct desk jockey who is quite content to sit at his desk
all day pencil pushing out report after report. Mark Wahlberg is his lively partner
Terry Hoitz. He longs for some action out on the streets of New York, however,
the pair are simply known as the other guys. The two under-achievers are simply
standing in the shadows, taking a backseat to a flashy duo of super cops played
by Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
Unexpectedly,
the limelight takes a sudden turn after a very nasty accident and Hoitz gets his
wish when a paper trail leads the other guys to a shady big time entrepreneur.
The businessman in question is on the wrong side of a crime element owing money
to a mob like conglomerate. This is all just an excuse to set up multiple inspired
action scenes with outrageous humour woven into proceedings.
The
gradually emerging top cops just want to be recognised as NYPD celebrity. Watching
Ferrell as the nerd come out of his shell, living his cop fantasy is a genuine
classic. Special mention to Mark Wahlberg, better known for his dramatic roles,
shows perfect comic timing.
He has dabbled in humour before with the little
seen gem 'I Heart Huckabees' and more recently in a memorable cameo role in 'Date
Night', but in this, Wahlberg nails every aspect, especially when he 'fly's like
a peacock'.
Not to be outdone is the super talented and beautiful
Eva Mendes. The saucy Mendes has actually starred with Ferrell before in the 1998
classic, 'A Night at the Roxbury'. She plays Allen's self proclaimed the ball
and chain wife in a series of hilarious scenes that are likely to become quoted
in years to come. He looks a little aged, however the great Michael Keaton ('Nightshift',
'Mr. Mom', 'Multiplicity') makes a welcome comic return to the big screen as Precinct
Captain Gene, he leads a secret life that becomes part of a running joke.
This
film moves fast, flipping from scene to scene without much explanation. The occasional
voiceover and flashback that involves Gambles early years as a pimp are curious
moments, but work in the characters favour. With a basic plot structure, director
Adam McKay lets his cast run free with glorious results. It's Police Academy mixed
with 'Lethal Weapon'. Warning; Stick around during the final credits as there
is an extra scene involving a story told by Detective Hoitz that is well worth
the wait.
Shane A. Bassett
