Movie Review: "The Other Guys"
Franck Tabouring
Seen on: August 3, 2010
The players: Director: Adam McKay, Writers: Adam McKay, Chris Henchy, Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton
Facts of interest: McKay also helmed "Anchorman."
The plot: Follows two sloppy NYC cops who step up and take on a big case that will turn their lives around.
Our thoughts: Adam McKay’s new comedy “The Other Guys” is without doubt one of he better summer movies this year. It’s a refreshing flick stuffed with cool action and absurd, yet hilarious humor, and it’s got just the right amount of coolness to keep the big laughs coming. It’s a much better film than McKay’s previous comedy “Step Brothers,” and it’s definitely something I’d love and revisit. It’s uproarious.
The flick starts with a look at the work of Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) and Danson (Dwayne Johnson), two superb New York detectives who solve every case and catch every bad guy by putting on a big, explosive show. They’re the coolest cops in town, and everybody down at the station loves and respects them… until their fabulous career quickly falls apart and the city is in desperate need for new heroes.
The guys seizing the opportunity to step up and prove themselves are Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), two cops who are fed up with their desk jobs and promise to protect the city by taking on every big case they come across. Things don’t quite go as planned though, and the fact that Terry and Allen don’t like each other that much complicates everything even further…
“The Other Guys” is stuffed with absurd jokes and silly, implausible action, but that’s exactly what causes the film to succeed so well in terms of entertainment and humor. McKay’s excellent screenplay follows two eccentric partners whose difficult relationship constantly interferes with their investigations, and the only thing I can say about it is that it’s a pleasure to watch this guys go all nuts all over NYC.
McKay definitely knows what he’s doing when it comes to generating fresh comedy, and if you know his work, you kind of now what to expect already. After all, this is still one of those Will Ferrell movies, and luckily enough, it’s a good one. Equipped with big glasses and a ridiculous attitude, Ferrell does a convincing job playing a nerdy cop who drives a red Prius and likes to play “Grand Theft Auto.”
Mark Wahlberg is his perfect partner, and he and Ferrell share great onscreen chemistry. Wahlberg especially displays excellent comic timing, and he and Ferrell easily steal the show in this one. It’s one of those unlikely movie partnerships that really works: it’s both funny and sincere, and it really makes you want to watch these guys mess shit up. The cast is undoubtedly the film’s strongest feature.
“The Other Guys” is a pretty traditional story of two underdogs who find the courage to play in the big league and prove the world they can do anything, and I applaud McKay for treating his characters well and moving the plot forward without unnecessary delays. Time flies in this film, and the fast-paced plot and few thrilling action sequences go very well with the overload of humor and memorable dialogue.
Adding to the fun is the great supporting cast. Michael Keaton is hilarious as Captain Gene Mauch, and Steve Coogan does a fine job as a financial guy deeply involved with our main guys’ big case. Also starring is Eva Mendes, who plays Ferrell’s wife. She doesn’t have that much screen time, but her scenes with Ferrell totally work. Appearances by Ray Stevenson and Rob Riggle round out the extra cast.
Freaky quote: "It's a wooden gun!" - Mark Wahlberg
The final word: I loved “The Other Guys,” and I can only recommend it to those who enjoy most of McKay’s absurd films. This is an action comedy with style, and as I mentioned already, the jokes here are abundant and first-class. It’s brainless fun for everyone, and it’s a summer movie I found very easy to enjoy. Go watch it for Ferrell and Wahlberg; they deliver the goods for sure.
Article by Franck Tabouring
Reader Comments (1)
The Other Guys was good, but no way was it better than Step Brothers. Step Brothers is a classic, I don't get why it's not thought of as highly as the other Ferrell/McKay collaborations. I'd rank them:
1. Anchorman - 10/10
2. Step Brothers - 9/10
3. The Other Guys - 8/10
4. Talladega Nights - 7/10
Boom.