REVIEW: THE OTHER GUYS

4/5

12A, 107 Minutes. Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton, Eva Mendes & Steve Coogan. Director: Adam McKay.

Something different for the 'buddy cop' genre.

I was having a conversation the other day where my buddy moaned about how all Will Ferrell does in his movies is shout, say random things and throw up a lot and I replied 'I know, great huh?'. Buddies Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay have been making people laugh for years, gaining more and more fans in the process, whether anchoring them in, breaking the ice or stepping it up. Even on their website funnyordie.com, Ferrell and McKay keep the laughs going steady on the highway. Now taking it to the police the pair force laughs out of us even more with this hilarious new buddy cop movie.

The 'guys' in this picture really are the men. Samuel L. Jackson and The Rock...excuse me Dwayne Johnson are the best cops in the city. Cocky, charismatic and cool. They are everything everyone in New York and the New York Police Department want to be but when something comes up (and down) it's up to 'The Other Guys' to take the law into their own hands. To the misfortune of the city of New York and the chief of police/chief of Bed Bath & Beyond (played hilariously by Michael Keaton) these other guys are Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.

Now these 'other guys' investigate the suspect financial dealings and goings on of Steve Coogan who provides some hilarious moments and brides. In between all this police work Ferrell and Wahlberg try to keep their love life in check. Ferrell obviously needing a new prescription on those 80's cop glasses to think his wife Eva Mendes is just 'plain' and Wahlberg trys to win back his ex with dance moves that would floor his New Kids On The Block brother. Also both partners must confront their own demons from the past. Walhberg's arising from getting a bit too protective with a New York Yankee legend and Ferrell's in the form of a dark past in the 'dating service' business.

Nobody likes to have the punchline given away before a joke is told so lets just say is if you want to see the best gags and one liners from a Ferrell/McKay since 'Anchorman' than bring some tape for your sides when watching this movie. With jokes ranging from Scarface's Kleenex issues to specific types of seaweed those sides are gonna split more times than the back of The Rock's shirts. Plus the randomness of this film also ranges from finely polished wood to TLC references to name just the tip of the random iceberg that is Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's mind. The action in this movie is top notch to bettering even some action movies out now. There's even some thrilling car chases with a Prius (which handles beautifully by the way) which also doubles up as the perfect 'family' car.

The support in this film fits like a sports bra. Coogan, Keaton, Jackson and Johnson are on top form and as for Eva Mendes...need I say anymore but DAAAAAAMN!!! Unprofessional I know but if you think that's bad check out Mark Wahlbergs reaction to her. There is also rib feather dusting performances from rising talents Rob Riggle (another great catch from 'The Daily Show' talent pool) and Damon Wayans Jnr (Dave Chappelle was right there is more of them) from one of Hollywood's funniest families. The film is also narrated by rapper Ice T, who ironically is a perfect choice despite once writing a curious ditty entitled 'Cop Killer'. Overall this ensemble piece is as reliable as a Prius (you've gotta love two Prius related plugs in one review) and is more than just the pick of the week. This film beats out all 'the other films' out there right now so don't cop out on this one. TIM DAVID HARVEY