This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Commingled Careers
Plot Overview
When Hollywood's finest Dets. Joe “big dog” Gavilan
(Harrison Ford) and K.C. “you dog, you” Calden (Josh Hartnett)
aren't cross-target practicing or ordering to-go, they turn their
attention to solving the murder of a rap foursome H2O Klick at the Freeway Club. The
group's producer ex-con Antoine Sartain (Isaiah Washington) was not too
keen on their attempt to get out of their contract, no more than he was on
a previous rapper Klepto who tried it and was similarly retired.
While Joe & K.C. are chasing bad
guys, IA Lt. Bennie “The Executioner”
Macko (Bruce Greenwood,) motivated by a personal history with
Joe's night owl girlfriend Ruby (Lena Olin)—she has “a
weakness for cops”—is after him big time
for—horrors!—“commingling funds.” Meanwhile,
K.C. is sussing out Macko's role on the scene of his cop father's untimely
death. And Ruby the sometimes psychic inadvertently senses the night
club killers nearby while she's on a major shopping expedition.
They have other irons in the fire as well.
To pay for his costly wheels, second mortgage, two kids in college,
and three wives' alimony, Gavilan is moonlighting as a high end
real estate agent. Mimi Mona a sexy girl of K.C.'s
acquaintance works for a rich producer Mr. Jerry Duran who's
looking to unload his big house in the same price range sought by the
night club owner (“a poor country boy just trying to get by”)
who saw his club shot up (“Looks like you're doing okay.”) It's
a tight negotiation Gavilan conducts on the fly during a frenzied
car/foot/bike/cab/subway/elevator chase
(“We must move quickly”) to wind it up in time for K.C.'s
showcase performance of the Brando character in “A Streetcar
Named Desire.”
Ideology
There are some modest background components in this film that point the way to success as in, (Prov. 30:24) “There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:”
(Prov. 30:25) “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” It's good to start early to prepare for one's path in life. The musicians about to make their break, “All were rappers since they were little boys on the street corner.” K.C. himself started acting back in Crenshaw High.
(Prov. 30:26) “The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.” Location is critical as the real estate agent will declare. The film blazons across the screen the HOLLYWOOD sign on the hill at the opening and at a couple other places in the movie. There's a veritable montage of businesses with Hollywood in their names. All the wannabe stars come here to be discovered, which is why we see so many hot babes (“They're everywhere”) throughout the film; they've come to Hollywood for their big chance.
(Prov. 30:27) “The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands.” It's good to develop ad hoc liaisons. K.C. made detective right out of the academy, it seems—unheard of—despite his lack of talent or ambition. The chief is behind him and his seasoned partner must have picked him, too. Yet he can't shoot, run, jump, or drive. He miscounts shots fired before exposing himself to fire. He shoots his partner's vehicle. He has trouble following instructions. He eats non-fortifying vegan grub. He can't remember names. He discomforts mothers (“Not nice”) and terrorizes children (“We're gonna die.”) He threatens to “shoot an unarmed nigger [sic].” He dislikes dead bodies. He makes a false arrest. He wants to quit the department for lack of “Bliss.” He'd seem to be a liability, but he's in like Flynn. The only explanation is family creds from his “good cop” dad who died in the line of duty. Good move, that, along the lines of an opinion shared in an Andrew Lytle novel:
“Deny your family, you stand alone. Who can do this? Who but a crazy man or a fool would risk just himself against the world? Even with superior gifts. A family, even the poorest, is a support for all kinds of frailties and shortcomings. When you go abroad, you carry with you the feeling of something larger than you within you. This is a responsibility. It's why I say he's a fool, any man is, to try to stand alone” (115.)
(Prov. 30:28) “The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.” The final step to success is to take hold of ambitious opportunities to secure one's niche in this world. It's an imposing palace the little spider finds her place in, daily swept clean. Yet she has her proper powers to use to her advantage. When K.C. seems to be at the end of his rope, his training kicks in.
Production Values
“” (2003) was directed by Ron Shelton. It was written by Robert Souza and Ron Shelton. It stars Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett along with Lena Olin, Bruce Greenwood, Isaiah Washington, Keith David, Dwight Yoakam, Lolita Davidovich, Martin Landau, Master P, Lou Diamond Phillips, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, Kurupt, Dre, (Cameo: Eric Idle; Robert Wagner as himself.) Ford makes acting look easy. Harnett is a good, buddy cop match. Olin as Ford's love interest was tops. This is not one of those movies that rely on acting talent to overcome a mediocre script; it's a well-written comedy, just needs them to deliver their lines.
MPAA rated it PG–13 for violence, sexual situations and language. The car chase is to die for, it's that good. The comedy is non-stop mingled with the action. The sex scenes sizzle. Despite the comedic complexities, it's easy to follow. It's about two hours long.
Review Conclusion w/a Christian's Recommendation
Tastes in humor and music vary. I liked the sixties songs and the embedded comedy, but I can't speak for everyone. I think the movie was well crafted and well worth your while if you like buddy cop movies with a comedic edge.
Movie Ratings
Action factor: Edge of your seat action-packed. Suitability for Children: Suitable for children 13+ years with guidance. Special effects: Well done special effects. Video Occasion: Fit For a Friday Evening. Suspense: Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall movie rating: Five stars out of five.
Works Cited
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version. Pub. 1611, rev. 1769. Software.
Lytle, Andrew. The Velvet Horn. Copyright © 1957 by Andrew Lytle. New York: McDowell/Obolensky. Print.
bibles.n7nz.org