Kevin Smith's latest buddy cop comedy is more side-splitting than a kung fu kick to the kidneys.
"Cop Out" is a zany, relentless comedy that doesn't take itself seriously at all. Smith revels in raunch in this harebrained action flick. If you're expecting a compelling film with any type of staid plot steer clear of this sophomoric comedy as you will undoubtedly be disappointed.
The beauty in this pull-no-punches police comedy is in its ability to forego the proverbial bar of morality in favor of shameless indulgence. Smith's trademark crude humor flourishes in this flick because of its blatant disregard for all things ethical, proper and polite regarding police work.
Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan play officers Jimmy Monroe and Paul Hodges. On the ninth anniversary of their partnership as police officers, Monroe and Hodges find themselves in parallel predicaments. Monroe's daughter wants a dream wedding which will cost a hefty $50,000 and Hodges has some doubts about his wife's fidelity.
When Monroe decides to sell his beloved baseball card, a one-of-a-kind collector's item that promises to fetch a pretty penny, he finds himself on the wrong end of an unlikely robbery. Tased and flopping on the ground like a fish out of water, Monroe has his prized possession ripped from his grip by a thief named Dave (Sean William Scott). This thief, who is essentially a perverse version of Woody the Woodpecker, pilfers the memorabilia and sells it to a drug kingpin named Raul (Juan Carlos Hernandez).
The plot is as silly as it sounds. This film is a brazen caper that is both shameless and uproarious. Ever the entertainer, Willis fluctuates from jovial to homicidal on a moment's notice. The scene in which Monroe has a less-than-candid conversation with his wife's new man Roy (Jason Lee) epitomizes this vacillation of emotion. The stress vein in Willis' head pulsates as he listens to the snide and prodding Lee as he sends back every underhanded threat with hilarious reprisal.
Comically infused banter between Willis and Morgan is just as effective. Willis brings to the table a violently funny father figure that makes up one-half of this devious duo.
Whether Morgan is channeling Luke Skywalker or Tony Montana to interrogate a suspect or punching a kiddy car thief to get information, his character shines as an undeniably laugh inducing counterpart to Monroe's staunch hunger for violence and mayhem.
This laugh-a-minute romp is refreshingly lowbrow. With the exception of an overblown rabid Chihuahua of a villain in Raul, "Cop Out" is a fast-paced laugh riot that is as entertaining as it is immoral.
4 stars out of 5
'COP OUT'
CAST: Tracy Morgan, Bruce Willis, Sean William Scott, Jason Lee
DIRECTOR: Kevin Smith
RATED: R for pervasive language including sexual references, violence and brief sexuality
