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The Other Guys: Movie Review
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Genre: Action, Comedy
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Adam McKay
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Eva Mendes, Duane Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Damon Wayans, Jr., Rob Riggle
Released by: Columbia Pictures |
In Short: In this entertaining, laugh-out-loud comedy, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg shine as loser NYPD detectives working on a case reminiscent of the Bernie Madoff scandal. |
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DYNAMIC DUO
Ferrell and Wahlberg: Cinema’s Next Great Comedy Duo
As “The Other Guys” roars into action with a slam-bam opening sequence starring two typical Hollywood stereotypes—super-cool NYPD detectives, hot on the chase of some bad guys—your initial reaction may be to groan and mutter, “here we go again.” Especially since those two cartoon-character policemen are perfectly played to the cornball hilt by Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson.
But those mutters quickly turn to guffaws when we discover that the movie isn’t really about those over-the-top cops. Instead, it tells the tale of “The Other Guys,” the slightly sad-sack officers that make up the rest of that NYPD precinct’s detective squad. The two main losers (and our heroes) are also brand-new partners, one a trigger-happy guy demoted to desk duty, the other a forensic accountant who’s extremely satisfied to stay safely behind his desk.
Played by Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell, the mismatched partners happen upon a complicated, financially motivated felony being perpetrated by a slimy tycoon (Steve Coogan). As they try to convince their skeptical captain (Michael Keaton, in a hilarious turn) that it just may be the crime of the decade, the pair finds itself in constantly funny situations, both on and off the job.
Wahlberg is pitch-perfect as the seething, angry tough guy, while Ferrell has never been funnier as the nerdy accountant-cop (who happens to draw gorgeous women like bees to honey). Together they create the next great cinematic buddy team as two misfits who stumble and bumble their way to apprehending criminals while figuring out along the way how to shake off their loser mantles and emerge as heroes.
Pay attention to the throwaway lines and asides in this chucklefest, for they are some of the funniest bits in the flick; and make sure to stay for the credits, where you’ll be cleverly reminded of just how much greed-driven, real-life Wall Street criminals have gouged out of Americans’ pocketbooks in the last few years. It’s the only serious element in an otherwise laugh-filled adventure.
Reviewed by Jenny Peters
| PCT072010 |
(Updated 08/06/10 CT) |
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