If you like smart comedy with highbrow humor and a lack of sight gags, this is not the movie for you. If you like ridiculous, mindless silly entertainment, then you're in the right place.
I find that movies with Will Ferrell are either really great or a complete disaster. Stepbrothers was comedic genius. Land of the Lost made me feel like leaving early, something I never do.
Will Ferrell plays one half of a not well respected pair of Police detectives. His character plays a perfect deadpan fool to the more serious Mark Wahlberg, the other half. Wahlberg's extreme annoyance by Ferrell's character and the complete oblivious nature of Ferrell's character play off one another perfectly without wearing on the story.
Michael Keaton plays the most hilarious role of his career as the police captain/ part time Bed Bath and Beyond manager. His later appearance in the movie at an emergency situation with his blue retail smock on is icing on the comedic cake.
Also adding to the story are two tops cops who pick on Wahlberg and Ferrell relentlessly for the first part of the movie. Played by Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson (The Rock and, unfortunately, Tooth Fairy), the over the top alpha male team add a ton of comedy to the mix.
The Rock's trademark eyebrow lift lends a few chuckles, and Jackson has a car that magically fixes itself after each scene in which it is damaged. The feel is so ridiculous and really works well in supporting some of the more over the top moments. And the dialogue, especially by Jackson, is every bit as entertaining as in Snakes On A Plane.
There's plenty of action and explosions- in fact, they're purposely over the top for the tone of the movie- as well as laughs in this film. The movie is a bit on the long side for a comedy, although it moved along well.
It ain't cheap to go to the movies these days, but I didn't mind spending money on this film, as it was a great 107 minutes of diversion and will be a favorite for years to come. The Other Guys is a movie that I'll be sure to get on BluRay when it comes out instead of just streaming on Netflix.
