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Arts & Entertainment

Weekend Movie Forecast: <em>Cop Out</em> Vs. <em>The Crazies</em>

By

Robert Horan

Published Feb 26, 2010

Modified Feb 27, 2010

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Don't be afraid to let the opening moments of Cop Out inspire optimism! Why shouldn't they? Not only are you about to watch an homage to '80s cop buddy movies starring Bruce "Die Harder" Willis and Tracy "Brian Fellow" Jordan, but the very first beat begins with a great "Hello, Brooklyn" subversion. Footage from a helicopter flying up the East River at night shows Manhattan glittering on the left, where most Hollywood helicopter footage inevitably veers. But in Cop Out, just as the downtown bridges come into sight, the chopper fakes left and swings defiantly right into the county of Kings, to the tune of the Beastie Boys' timeless classic No Sleep ('Til Brooklyn). It bodes well! Sure, this is a mainstream Hollywood movie, but it's also a Kevin Smith film. Smith didn't write it, but considering his recent output, that's probably for the best. Aside from one dull stretch in the middle, during which Bruce Willis delivers an oddly treacly monologue about his daughter, Cop Out is just good, dirty, lowbrow fun. The plot, which isn't as formulaic as you might expect, follows the duo—both suspended from the NYPD in Act I for their recklessness—as they desperately try to recover a prized baseball card from a cliche Mexican gang. Willis is funny and seething as the reliably mischievous straight man, and Morgan, the black Andy Kaufman, is transmitting from outer space as always, albeit perhaps not as far out as we like to see him go. Seann William Scott co-stars in the Joe Pesci/Leo Getz sidekick slot, and at times he even out-weirds Morgan in his portrayal of a pervy Parkour prowler. And the fourth star here is Brooklyn itself; Windsor Terrace/Greenpoint/Williamsburg residents who aren't down with Cop Out will at least be able to pass the time location spotting.

 

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By

Robert Horan

Published Feb 26, 2010

Modified Feb 27, 2010

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Click on the film stills for more info and reviews on this week's new releases and repertory screenings, which include Cop Out, The Crazies, A Prophet, Formosa Betrayed, Prodigal Sons, Toe to Toe, The Yellow Handkerchief, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Five Easy Pieces, and Point Break.

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