Today’s quick review: Cop Out. Detectives Jimmy Monroe (Bruce Willis) and Paul Hodges (Tracy Morgan) have been partners for nine years. After their latest blunder gets them suspended from the force without pay, Jimmy is forced to sell a rare baseball card to pay for his daughter’s wedding. But when the card winds up in the hands of Poh Boy (Guillermo Diaz), an up-and-coming gang leader, Jimmy and Paul must go to great lengths to get it back.
Cop Out is a crime comedy starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as two suspended cops who get caught in the middle of a drug dealer’s big move. The two make for an effective comedy duo. Jimmy and Paul are goofy in complementary ways, while their shared history makes them competent crime-fighters when the chips are down. Cop Out doesn’t offer anything too special with its plot or characters, but its fun humor and good leads are enough to carry it.
Cop Out earns points with its comedy. Some of the jokes sail wide of the mark, but the majority of them are funny, reasonably clever, and a good fit for the characters. In terms of story, Cop Out lands squarely in the middle of the comedy genre, with just enough complexity to keep things from getting stale. The same goes for its characters. Jimmy and Paul are just fleshed out enough to make them enjoyable to watch without leaving a lasting impression.
Cop Out is a solid pick for anyone in the mood for a low-risk comedy. Its jokes aren’t as spectacular as the greats of the genre, but they are likely to entertain a broad audience. They are also supported by a decent story and two leads with good chemistry, even if there are a few rough edges. Cop Out is a movie that will please those looking to be entertained by it and disappoint those looking to be impressed. Give it a shot when the mood is right.
For another buddy cop comedy in a similar vein, try Ride Along. For an action movie with similar character dynamics, try the Bad Boys or Lethal Weapon series. For a crime comedy with a darker sense of humor and more distinctive characters, try War on Everyone. For a black comedy with a much more elaborate plot and a sharper pair of leads, try The Nice Guys.
5.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for fun, if not outstanding, humor.