LET’S BE COPS
By: John ’Doc’ Strange
Directed by: Luke Greenfield
Cast: Damon Wayans Jr., Jake Johnson, Nina Dobrev, Rob Riggle
MPAA Rating: R (for language including sexual references, some graphic nudity, violence and drug use)
Selig Rating: MATINEE
Runtime: 104 Min.
Two friends are living rather boring lives. Justin (Daman Wayans Jr.), writes video games and is bullied by his boss. The other is Ryan (Jake Johnson), a would-be actor whose claim to fame is a herpes medicine commercial he did right after coming to LA.
Justin develops a game which pits police officers against criminals. His boss totally dismisses both the game and Justin’s creative efforts. Arriving home, Ryan cajoles Justin into attending a college reunion costume party. Given the choice between going as a ghost or a police officer, Justin chooses police officer.
Arriving at the party, they find that it was a masquerade party with all of the attendees in tuxedos and gowns with masks. Justin, a football hero in college, is embarrassed by his friend’s faux pas. After a few hard to watch minutes at the event, the two leave the party and start to walk down the street.
On the street, the two quickly learn that their outfits/costumes look real enough to fool the public. This is NOT a good thing for Ryan is NOT normal, as some here in Texas might say, “he’s a bit off plumb.” Much to Justin’s horror, he gets the idea of spending more time in the cop persona.
This film is a throwback to the buddy films of old. The two get into all manner of situations in their faux-cop personas. Ryan even purchases a car on eBay that he outfits just like an LA police car.
Ryan will do anything to live out the fantasy. This fantasy gets all too real leading to some fun situations. And some very intense real battles when they stumble into real bad guys (as usually happens in these buddy films).
I have to admit that despite the admiration I have for the talent in the film I was prepared to really hate it. I was prepared to but found myself laughing, a lot! I had forgotten how much I loved buddy films. This film may not be one you want to proclaim your love for on the street, it’s more like a guilty pleasure. I think you’ll enjoy it. I know I did.
Movie Site: http://www.letsbecops.com/
The Selig Rating Scale:
FULL PRICE – Excellent movie, well worth the price
MATINEE – Good movie
DOLLAR – OK movie
CABLE – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
FREEBIE – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
COMMERCIAL TV – Commercials and cutting to the allotted time will not hurt this one.
FORGET IT! – Bad. If you see this one, do yourself a favor and keep it to yourself.
GET YOUR TORCHES – BAD! – Burn the script, the writer, the director and maybe even the actors!
