Street Kings (2008)

A Fast-Paced, Far Too Simplistic Version of Training Day...

High intensity cop dramas have long been a staple of Hollywood films, most of them set out to show that police officers are here to protect us (which most are); but, lately it seems that these types of films have shifted somewhat in their approach to cops. No longer are all police officers in the movies out to protect and serve the communities, now it seems that most movie cops are out only for themselves and a bigger piece of financial pie which they will take any way they can get it. A few years ago, one highly praised film focused on these morally challenged police officers with such explosiveness and realism that audiences couldn't help but notice this changing trend in Hollywood's police dramas. The film I'm referring to would be director Antoine Fuqua's incredibly intense and suspenseful, critically acclaimed movie "Training Day". Fast forward a little more to the present day, and we have ourselves yet another glimpse at the darker side of some police officers, in a film that at times feels like a semi-sequel to "Training Day", the fast-paced, action-packed "Street Kings" starring Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker. Coincidentally, "Street Kings" is directed by David Ayer ("Harsh Times"), who wrote the screenplay to "Training Day", which may explain the nagging sense of familiarity that this movie has to his earlier work.

"Street Kings" is the story of L.A. police detective Tom Ludlow (go figure a police drama set in L.A., say it isn't so), whose career as a cop is one riddled with compromise and violence. As a member of a team of detectives overseen by Capt. Jack Wander (Forest Whitaker), Tom (Keanu Reeves) leads the other members in breaking disturbing cases, especially those with a higher profile that could find its way somehow onto the evening news. However, catching a break in some of these cases doesn't always come without a price, and as Tom is finding out sometimes that price is much too high to pay.

With the success of "Training Day", for which Denzel Washington won his first Best Actor Oscar, and the acclaim garnered from TV's "The Shield", movie studios are quickly catching on to the fact that audiences seem unable to get enough of these morally questionable characters that can often be viewed as anti-heroes. I personally thought "Training Day" was a very well made film and one deserving of any accolades it received, as was Denzel Washington in the lead role. The same can be said for "The Shield", which just so happens to be one of my favorite shows on television; however, as good as both of these examples are, their successes can be viewed as testaments to how morally compromising our culture is becoming. The mere fact that we tolerate, and at times even root for, these anti-heroes that in another, simpler time would have been viewed as villains, says to me that the time for true heroes may be coming to an end, and it is a sad commentary on we as a people. Well, that's enough of that kind of talk; it's time to move onto the task at hand, sharing my thoughts on the recently released "Street Kings".

The story for "Street Kings" is a melting pot of twists and turns, violence, excessive language, and corruption as far as the eye can see. Written by Kurt Wimmer ("Equilibrium") and first-time screenwriter Jamie Moss, based on a story by James Ellroy ("L.A. Confidential"), "Street Kings" instantly hits the ground running and never lets up for more than a moment or two. The writing is sharp, although far too linear for any sort of mystery to ever be achieved, and the end result is clear from early on in the film. For writers such as Kurt Wimmer and James Ellroy to work on a movie such as this, I honestly expected more than what was presented, it feels like the idea was only partially thought through, so the execution was far too by-the-book. The movie's fast-paced momentum may be partially to blame for the predictability of the movie, with its focus apparently on the action and mayhem, all of the twists are easily seen, not a single one is all that surprising, and the story just feels like a far too simplified version of much superior work that has previously been done.

Leading the cast we have Keanu Reeves giving his usual one-note performance, although there are a few moments where he does show some emotion, but they are few and far between. Forest Whitaker appears to be in full on crazy mode here, as he seems to constantly be yelling or angry or something, he never once plays the character in a normal fashion. I've definitely seen better from Forest, a little less wild-eyed crazy man would have made his character a little easier to stomach, plus I was growing tired of both his character and his tirades in a hurry. Comprising the supporting cast we have Chris Evans ("Fantastic Four"), comedian Jay Mohr, Hugh Laurie (TV's "House"), and a surprising appearance by Cedric the Entertainer ("Man of the House"). Out of the supporting cast I must say that Cedric was the biggest shocker, I had never seen him play a serious role before, but his reserved performance earns him much more respect in my eyes as an actor than I had previously given him. Aside from Keanu Reeve's typically flat performance and Forest Whitaker's inexplicably crazed one, the performances ranged anywhere from decent to very good, nothing exceptional but solid nonetheless.

"Street Kings" is generally entertaining in its own non-stop, extremely violent way; however, the plot is far too simplistic for it to be a standout achievement, and overall the movie comes off as an unofficial, not to mention unworthy, sequel to the vastly superior film "Training Day".

"Street Kings" is rated R for violence, language, and sexuality. August 31, 2008

A modern day "Serpico",

"Street Kings" is incredibly entertaining with a great cast, terrific direction, amazing sound and more plot twists than the Pikes Peak Highway has switchbacks.
A solid rental and maybe a keeper...

August 29, 2008

Missing Special Features

I was excited about this movie, because Ayer had written two of my favorite movies Dark Blue and Training Day. I wasn't disappointed in the movie.

However, you should note that although the box lists the following special features: Audio commentary with Ayer; Street Rules: Rolling with Ayer and Fitzsimmons; La Bete Noir: Writing Street Kings; Street Cred; Deleted scenes with optional commentary; Alternate takes; vignettes; and Behind the Scenes Clips, the only Special Feature is the audio commentary. The other features although listed (per Fox who I emailed about this) are only on the Special Edition version. The packaging of the disks would lead a consumer to believe that the only additional feature on the Special Edition is a digital copy. As most of you know, once a DVD is opened it cannot be returned. So BOO on fox for the bait and switch on what is otherwise a worthwhile product. August 29, 2008

COPS AS KINGS

There are movies galore that focus on the role of police in society. For the most part, early films portrayed them as pillars of the community, citizens with badges that children and adults alike could admire and trust. In the early seventies all of that changed. Corrupt policemen in New York became the cause du jour and the film SERPICO portrayed cops as people who would turn a blind eye when a bribe was offered. That characterization continued in films through TRAINING DAY in 2001. The writer for that film, David Ayers, returns to the men in blue with STREET KINGS.

Keannu Reeves is Det. Tom Ludlow, a man on the outs having lost his wife and part of an elite task force that takes to the streets of LA in pursuit of the worst the world has to offer. The team Tom works with is headed by Capt. Jack Wander (Forrest Whitaker), an up and coming official with his sites set on the chief's position. Tom and his fellow detectives use unorthodox methods to say the least, but they get the job done.

As the film begins, Tom rises to go to a meet with two Korean gang bangers who think he's there to sell them a machine gun. When they take Tom out and steal his car, they've played into his hands. A tracker on the car leads Tom to their house where he busts in, blasting away everyone in the house. The reason? To rescue two pre-teen Korean girls who had been abducted and abused for the online porn industry.

To most Tom would be a hero. But before the investigation into the shooting begins, Tom plants guns on each downed bad guy. Still, we might think this was okay since they were obviously scum. But as the film progresses, we begin to wonder just who it is that makes those decisions.

After the shooting, Tom gets into a minor altercation with his old partner Washington (Terry Crews). At a later meeting, he learns that Washington has been in touch with an Internal Affairs officer named Biggs (Hugh Laurie) who is in the midst of investigating Tom. But Wander has Tom's back and warns him to let it go.

But Tom can't. He follows Washington to a market with the intent on confronting him only to find the two of them in the middle of a robbery by two gang bangers. It's not until they pin down Washington and rip him to shreds with machine gun fire that Tom regrets his decision.

Before anything can happen, Wander and the team arrive and advise Tom what to do, which includes taking the video surveillance disc. Confused and concerned, Tom continues to investigate the case, working with Det. Diskant (Chris Evans), another cop determined to help protect him and his career. As the two follow leads, the real story behind the death of Washington comes clear. And Tom's life is not only changed but put in jeopardy as well.

The story plays fast and furious as we move from one situation to the next, rarely having time to catch a breath. And in the end the pieces of the puzzle fit nicely together to give us the whole picture. It may not be a pretty picture, but in many cases it rings true.

Reeves does a good job as Tom Ludlow, but never seems to find the right groove for the character. His portrayal here is not one of his best performances but he does his best. As for the rest of the cast, Whitaker comes across as megalomaniacal in the character of Wander, a man who feels he has more power and control than he has whose manipulations bring more grief than relief.

The best thing about this movie is the direction and photography. The slick style of both makes this movie jump off the screen. And the cinematography by Gabriel Beristain is done to magnificent effect, so much so that it's one of the rare times I've been aware of it while watching the film.

All in all this movie is a fun watch that holds your interest from beginning to end. It delivers plenty of action and suspense and a well turned story that doesn't offer the total solution until the film's end. If you're looking for something that will keep you in your seat start to finish, you couldn't do much better than this.
August 25, 2008

Transparent corruption

I dont think Keanu could have pulled off this film without the cast surrounding him, but his performance was respectable. Forrest Whitaker carried the movie. What failed to impress me is the obviousness of the film and the transparency of the corruption with cops blatently covering for one another. Everyone knew what was going on, including Internal Affairs, and they were all content to ride it out. I dont want to provide any spoilers, because it was a good movie despite its lack of suspense, but in the end after the dust cleared Internal Affairs seemed content to let the corrupt cops kill each other off and call it even. Nothing was resolved. August 25, 2008

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