Re-inventing yourself in the middle of your career is surely an audacious move, especially if you're generally prone to get a decent reception from critics and audiences by staying within your boundaries. Whether or not it actually works out is subective, and pointless to even debate (unless financially speaking, which could be argued. But regardless). But it's quite a commendable feat, one would have to admit, to try something new late in your career.
After his last film, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," recieved an underwhelming box-office return, filmmaker Kevin Smith had a bit of a mid-life crisis. Although hardly a ticket-led director, he felt that the film should have earned more, and was compromised by a lackluster marketing campaign. However, this would wound up leading to a much bigger revelation: that Smith had lost interest in telling the stories that had defined himself as a director, the tales that helped crusade the pop-culture junkie slacker generation. What would Smith do, having lost this drive?
The answer came to him by way of WB President Jeff Robinov, who, having seen ZAMMAP, sent Smith the script for "Cop Out" (then titled, "A Couple of Dicks.) Smith had largely been disinterested in realizing someone else's script, feeling himself to not be a capable visual filmmaker, simply just a writer who shoots his screenplays. But, after the ZAMMAP fallout, he had a change of heart, and signed on to direct the film.
The film is an unapologetic love letter to the '80s buddy cop comedy genre, and features many of the classic beats of that type of film, such as a rival detective team, damsel in distress, drugs, etc. But with a film like this, you can't simply just admire it at an originality standpoint; Any enjoyment you get will come from the EXECUTION. And in that regard, I believe Smith has succeeded considerably.
Part of directing is knowing how to cast right, and Smith was able to assemble an impressive line-up of actors. There is, of course, Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, who play off of each other like a seasoned comedy team; Morgan, in particular, is able to show what else he's capable of than what he is offered on "30 Rock." Kevin Pollak, someone who is never cast as much as he needs to be, plays a great sardonic detective, hoping to poke holes in Willis and Morgan's boat. Adam Brody appears as his inferior, following up on his great performance in last year's "Jennifer's Body." Guillermo Diaz portrays an absolutely insane, over-the-top gangster, who has a sometimes peculiar obsession with baseball. And, finally, Sean William Scott essays the role of one of the most idiosyncratic thieves ever seen on cinema, and hits every comedic note beautifully.
Speaking of beauty, Smith has stepped up his visual game quite a bit. There are several dolly moves and pans; always wisely utilized, and helps a largely vernacular film pop. Perhaps with this film, if nothing else, will prove to naysayers that Smith is a credible visual director, and maybe to himself as well.
Yes, this review is coming from a Kevin Smith fan. However, I had my doubts about the film, fearing that it'd be just a vulgarfest, with none of the wit presented in Smith's previous work. And whilst it's not a groundbreaking masterpiece, ultimately, that wasn't the goal. It's supposed to entertain, which is the primal goal of every film. And it's a genuinely entertaining movie.
AJP.
