BEFORE: Took the Amtrak up to the Boston area to visit my friend Andy, we try to get to the Newport Chowderfest every year, though we were both too busy last year. Andy lent me a laptop so I could keep up with my movie schedule. Tracy Morgan carries over, from a cameo in last night's film (seen as himself, attending a Knicks game) to a starring role tonight.
THE PLOT: A comedy about a veteran NYPD cop whose rare baseball card is stolen. Since it's his only hope to pay for his daughter's upcoming wedding, he recruits his partner to track down the thief, a memorabilia-obsessed gangster.
AFTER: Same as with "The Other Guys", there are some funny moments, but I've got major problems with the structure of the story. Early in the film, both of the main characters are suspended from the force, but despite turning in their badges and guns, they mainly just seem to continue doing police work - so what's the point of showing them getting suspended? And where do they get the extra guns (and badges?) from?
Most cops who get suspended might spend some time at home, mow the lawn, take care of some errands, maybe even pick up some part-time work - but these guys just keep on going after perps. I realize that there are extenuating circumstances, but it still seems a little odd. If they're not doing official police work when they track down thieves, rough them up and even shoot them, that makes them vigilantes at best, and possibly criminals at worst.
NITPICK POINT: The house where the thieves hang out looks like a complete shambles, except for one room that contains museum-quality artifacts. Huh?
NITPICK POINT #2: Officer Monroe, played by Bruce Willis (last seen in "Surrogates"), finds himself inside the thieves' house. But then he leaves the house during a shootout, and has to work his way back inside. Why, then, did he leave in the first place? He had a great vantage point, behind enemy lines.
Definitely some head-scratching moments in this one...some of the same gags as in "The Other Guys" too, like the main characters not being able to do a good cop/bad cop routine correctly.
Also starring Kevin Pollak (last seen in "Another You"), Adam Brody (last seen in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith"), Seann William Scott (last seen in "The Dukes of Hazzard"), Rashida Jones (last seen in "I Love You, Man"), with cameos from Jason Lee (last seen in "Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel"), Michelle Trachtenberg, Susie Essman, Fred Armisen (last seen in "Baby Mama"), and Mark Consuelos.
RATING: 4 out of 10 sirens
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