Street Kings - quick review (1 Viewer)

[Patrick Sun]

Keanu Reeves returns to the big screen as Tom Ludlow, a helluva vice cop who takes no prisoners in the line of duty (much to the consternation of the rest of his vice unit), but finds the line between duty and corruption becoming blurred. An off-the-books personal investigation of the murder of a former partners leads Tom down a twisted path a la "Dark Blue" and it's a fun ride to the end. Kudos for going the rated R route as the action is violently nasty and the dialogue allows for an adult treatment of the material.

Keanu's performance is actually quite serviceable and Forest Whitaker is forever chewing the scenery with great comic effect. I liked the overall cast in general. In fact, the film is violently hilarious at times and the dialogue cracked me up in spots given the confidence Tom exudes in spite of the odds against him as events and situations unfolds. I wouldn't consider this a great film, but it's pretty entertaining within the cop drama genre with a lot of machismo on display.

I give it 2.75 stars or a grade of B-.

 

[ChrisBEA]

I thought it was decently entertaining, although I did not find any reason to care about any of the players. It was overplotted and underwritten.

I have to wonder why Ayers didn't take a shot at the script prior to directing? His last (and debut) directorial effort was from his own script and is, in my opinion, a better movie (Harsh Times).

 

[Brett_M]

I agree with the above. I enjoyed the hell out of it but I think that the script kept it from being a great film. It's good enough. It has several great scenes and although over the top, much of it crackled with energy little seen in flicks like these. It's not LA Confidential (although it could have been). It's a modern pulp novel and worth a look.

 

[todbnla]

How was Hugh Laurie's (House) role in this film?

 

[Brett_M]

He was pretty good. His part was a bit underwritten. I wish there was more for him to do.