Movie Review - The Other Guys - Not Just Another Cop Movie

Movie: The Other Guys
Starring: Will Ferell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes
Director: Adam McKay

This movie is not quite what I expected. It is not just a spoof of action movies or cop movies which has been done to death. Instead it goes a little bit farther into the characters to really see what makes them tick. Will Ferrell embodies the character of Allen Gamble who is everything that society values in the modern man. He is punctual, meticulous, organized, reasonable, thoughtful, positive, and responsible. He has been gladly serving as a Detective for the NYPD but only from his desk (the safest place to be). He enjoys investigating things like permit viloations and accounting errors. In the male dominated NYPD all the things that are considered good values actually make him appear weak and annoying. His partner Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) by contrast is a typical cop who would love to get back on the streets but is forced behind a desk after an accidental shooting. After the departure of the so-called hero cops played by Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson the Department is left with void that needs to be filled. That's when The Other Guys step up to take on the role.

This movie is hilarious, the interplay between Ferrell and Wahlberg is spot on.
It turns out the movie is not a send up of police movies although it touches on that. It is more a tribute to what it means to be man. The movie shows that maybe even a man like Allen Gamble who drives Prius, listens to Little River Band, and always checks his his iPhone for directions has a testosterone fueled drive deep inside him. Will Ferell does an excellent job of making that funny to watch. The supporting actors are good as well, Eva Mendes has a funny role as Gamble's unappreciated wife. The case these two our on is probably the least interesting part about the film as they try to make a point about wall street corruption. A mocking of the Bernie Madoff's of the world but it is secondary to the laughs generated simply by having these characters on film.

The Other Guys will probably only be in theaters for a few more weeks so make sure that you see it while you can. This one is a comedy that can be enjoyed from start to finish. It may appear to be simple cop movie spoof but it is so much more. You can buy The Other Guys on DVD and Blu-ray from our store.