THE OTHER GUYS

The Other Guys is a hilarious movie that is over the top and cheesy, but in a good way. It is also filled with action and explosions. There aren’t very many moments during the movie that the audience isn’t laughing.

Terry Hoitz and Allen Gamble, played by Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell, are partners and desk jockeys. Gamble was transferred from forensic accounting and loves his desk job. Hoitz used to be out on the street until he shot Derek Jeter; he hates being stuck behind a desk and can’t wait to get back into action. Throughout the movie, Ferrell’s performance is actually the more subtle of the two, only going over the top when his character is provoked. Wahlberg is constantly random and over the top, but it’s hilarious and works well for his angry and volatile character.

Michael Keaton is perfect as Gene, the police captain, who is completely stupefied by the trouble Hoitz and Gamble get into. He also randomly quotes TLC songs and swears he doesn’t know he’s doing it. Keaton is so cheesy, but it works well with his character. This is definitely the best role that Keaton has had in well over a decade. Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson, as Danson and Highsmith, are parodies of the action roles they are known for. The fact that they know how to be tough and funny makes their performances very fun.

The action scenes in the movie try to be exciting, but they left me dizzy, with lots of quick cuts and shaky camera actions that feel that they are overdone for the comedic value. However, the explosions in the movie are pretty cool, and at times, incredibly funny. Much of the humor from The Other Guys comes from repetition, randomness, and being so intentionally bad that it’s hilarious. There is a great “night out” montage in the middle of the movie that is very well done and incredibly funny, and it is the part of the movie that sticks out the most with me.

Overall, I enjoyed The Other Guys. People who love parodies and bad movies will be delighted, but those who are looking for the next The Hangover will be disappointed.

THE OTHER GUYS: Official Movie Trailer