COP OUT

Once upon a time Kevin Smith made a decent movie with a star-studded cast… and they all lived happily ever after. If it sounds familiar, that’s because it is. COP OUT wasn’t nearly as disappointing as I expected it to be, but there really isn’t much to say about how wonderful or funny it is either. Normally I enjoy Smith’s films, but this one wasn’t quite up to standards. I’ve learned that he generally writes his own stuff. According to Entertainment Weekly, this is the first time he’s directed a film and not at least co-written it. So I suppose I have to go a little easy on him – he’s out of his comfort zone.

The story itself is pretty generic. It’s an interracial buddy cop film. Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan are partners who, after nine years (a key plot point brought up again and again), still manage to put up with each other on a daily basis. Willis is the collected, serious bad boy to Morgan’s anecdotal somewhat slow, shouting hysteric. After a drug bust gone bad, they get put on unpaid probation. Willis is devastated, as he needs to pay for his daughter’s wedding (big name #3 – Michelle Trachtenberg), or give in and allow his ex’s new husband to pay the tab. As a way to get money, Willis plans on selling a very rare vintage baseball card, but is foiled in his attempt to do so when it’s stolen by Sean William Scott (#4). Willis and Morgan set out to find Scott, discover what happen to the card, and end up involved in a deal with a gang leader, played by one of my personal favorites, Guillermo Diaz (#5). Unfortunately, Diaz’s performance is exaggerated and generically stereotypical.

Stylistically the film was all over the map. The cinematography wasn’t bad, and I’d say the effects were pretty well done. Kevin Smith doesn’t have much action movie experience under his belt, so all things considered he did a good job. The slow motion sequences were well placed and not over done. The gun fights weren’t nearly as poorly done as they could have been. In terms of the genre, COP OUT fits in it’s own way. It’s clear that the film is supposed to be an “homage” to the 80s buddy-cop genre, and it works. But, the cheesy music took it one step too far. Distracting, overdone, corny… it was ridiculous. One point less Mr. Smith. Sorry.

Willis put on a decent show. His part honestly could have been played by anyone, but he did it justice. He brings a seriousness to roles like these that manifests in hilarity. You can’t help but laugh out loud. But, I will say that the scenes in which I found Willis most amusing were as a result of his back and forths with Sean William Scott. In a nutshell, Scott steals the movie. His backseat quips and jail cell schtick are probably the most memorable portions of the film. And for the record, I really never noticed how much he looks and acts like Paul Rudd. It’s an uncanny resemblance. Just, ya know, to put that out there.

Another point on the acting: I’m all for Tracy Morgan in a leading roll, but I’m convinced the man cannot speak without slurring his words or mumbling. Honestly, there were some scenes where I had absolutely no idea what he was saying. All I could think was, “Gee Kevin Smith, were there really no other usable takes than the incoherent ones you’ve chosen?” He’s hilarious and I love him, but Morgan’s dribbling and mushing of his dialogue became distracting very early on.

For the record, lets get into some of the other random celebrity appearances, shall we?

#6 Rashida Jones

#7 Kevin Pollak

#8 Adam Brody

#9 Susie Essman

#10 Jason Lee

#11 Fred Armisen

I'm very interested in finding out how much they were all paid. Obviously it's not always about the money, but this isn't one of those movies actors due for the street cred or award nods.

Aside from the obvious problems with this film, it was amusing. There were some truly laugh out loud moments. As rainy day movies go, this one is a winner. But, at a time when people are flocking to see the re-released Oscar nominated films, COP OUT is seriously going to suffer in the box office – with or without help from the less than flattering reviews it’s been getting.