Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

The Other Guys
2010
**½
Director: Adam McKay
Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Steve Coogan, Michael Keaton, Ray Stevenson, Lindsay Sloane, Anne Heche, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson

While two reckless super cops (Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson in brief but amusing cameos) hog all the headlines, second-tier detectives Gamble (a nerdy police department accountant) and Hoitz (a disgraced hot-head) fail to land even a proper case. That is, until they investigate a construction permit violation and uncover a potential multi-billion dollar fraud. Buddy cop movies have become a popular subgenre. Unfortunately, for every gem like 48 Hrs., Lethal Weapon 2 or Hot Fuzz, you must sit through rubbish like Bad Boys 1 and 2. The fourth collaboration between Adam McKay and Will Ferrell falls somewhere inbetween. Their comedy has a bright start but it begins to feel long and drawn out when the laddish jokes become increasingly hit and miss.