Starring: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Laurence Fishburne
Running Time: 99 Minutes
Synopsis:
For the past two years, high-school security guard Ben has been trying to show decorated APD detective James that he's more than just a video-game junkie who's unworthy of James' sister, Angela. When Ben finally gets accepted into the academy, he thinks he's earned the seasoned policeman's respect and asks for his blessing to marry Angela. Knowing that a ride-along will demonstrate if Ben has what it takes to take care of his sister, James invites him on a shift designed to scare the heck out of the trainee. But when the wild night leads them to the most notorious criminal in the city, James will find that his new partner's rapid-fire mouth is just as dangerous as the bullets speeding at it.
So, does anyone know whether this was supposed to be an action flick or a comedy? According to IMDb, a highly used resource, it's classified as both. A buddy cop movie starring comedian genius Kevin Hart, and the sub-par actor Ice Cube screams "check this out!" Since I first heard about this movie I was interested in seeing it...then the reviews started coming in, including this one over at Two Dollar Cinema. Against all odds, I had decided that I would just see for myself with the next free promo code I got from Redbox. After all, we all have different tastes in movies, right?
So late last night, I popped some popcorn and sat down for this ninety-some minute movie of cheesy laughs and horrible action scenes. Ice Cube played his same old "my shit don't stink" character alongside his sister's boyfriend and career video gamer played by Kevin Hart. Honestly, I never found Ice Cube to be funny or memorable in any way. That said, I was hoping Kevin Hart, who I've seen many times on Comedy Central, would save this movie from being a complete disaster.
A few things I "learned" from this film:
- A Prius is not ideal to chase down a BMW..or anything for that matter
- If you're white, you can't and should not fight
- Kevin Hart's bad ass at video games, but give him a real gun and he wouldn't know what to do with it
- Ice Cube likes to see himself on camera. He seemed to steal as much camera time in this as possible
- Police code 126 stands for a bullshit call that nobody else wants
- Movies like this always involves a corrupt cop or two
Overall this movie was worth what I paid, but it isn't even worth the $1.50 Redbox rental. As any follower of this blog should already know, Redbox sends out free rental codes routinely so there's no reason to pay to see shitty movies like this.
(Crap.If you must see this, rent it with a free rental promo code or borrow it from your public library.)
Isn't it crazy that they're making another one? I mean, what was left unfinished. Is Ice Cube going to smile in the next one? Is that what we're waiting for?
ReplyDeleteI basically hated this movie, in spite of liking Hart. I really don't mind bad movies, but damn was this one uninspired.
Nice review!
Frankly, I don't see the point in a sequel either. Looking at his filmography, it seems to me that Tim Story's trying to pad his small portfolio by creating sequels to really bad movies. Come on..Does anyone really need a sequel to Think Like a Man? From where I'm sitting, he's on the path of a being the next Tyler Perry, making nothing but crappy straight-to-DVD bargain bin fillers.
ReplyDeleteSad but true, Wendell, all Hollywood sees are dollar signs it's been like that for decades.
ReplyDeleteSince going to see the sequel to The Purge, a movie I really disliked I walked out of the cinema really impressed in how much better it was compared to the first. Granted I haven't checked the box office numbers yet, a similar situation could indeed happen with Ride Along 2, unfortunately for most casual viewers it'll be too late. How many people will go see a sequel to a movie that ended up being terrible?