Let’s Be Cops Review

Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. are two regular guys fed up with their lives who decide to pose as L.A. policemen.

Director:  Luke Greenfield

Starring: Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Nina Dobrev, James D’Arcy, Rob Riggle, Keegan-Michael Key, Andy Garcia

Running Time: 104 Minutes.

Certificate: 12A.

What is the plot?

It’s the ultimate buddy cop movie except for one thing: they’re not cops. When two struggling pals dress as police officers for a costume party, they become neighborhood sensations. But when these newly-minted “heroes” get tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line.

Review

Let’s be honest here, LET’S BE COPS is never going to win any Oscar Awards for Best Cinematography or for the Best Actor Award, but that’s not really what anyone expects when they go to see it, is it? If you’re looking for giggles, a bellyful of laughs and cringe worthy moments, then this film delivers.

The film does exactly what it says on the tin – it features two guys playing about being police officers for a bit of fun – but they end up taking it too far.

Meet 30-year-olds Ryan (Jake Johnson), a former college football star and at best, a currently unemployed actor who spends his time ‘mentoring’ rather hilariously children during their football practice sessions.  His partner in crime (sorry, couldn’t help it!) is Justin (Damon Wayans Jr.), a video game designer struggling to find his voice and impress his boss with his game idea.

The dodgy duo who co-star in NEW GIRL continue to exude the same comical on-screen hilarity in the film, which sees them fall into the world of ‘policing’ after wearing two uniforms used during Justin’s failed video game pitch.  Cue female attention, pulling power and respect from the general public.  They then take to going around Los Angeles enforcing the law – or enjoying the awards of wearing the uniform.

Becoming addicted to his new life and taking the role too seriously, the pair soon take their illegal impersonation to the next level and end up winding up a gang of Russian mobsters headed by henchman Mossi (James D’Arcy).

Believing they are real police officers, the criminally bad ‘cops’ are on a mission to put an end to their ‘investigation.’

With the help of a ‘real’ police officer (Rob Riggle) who at first is fooled by Ryan and Jake, they have to step up to their new role and complete an investigation which could cost them their lives.

The screenplay, co-written by Nicholas Thomas and director Luke Greenfield, (who apparently came up with the idea after attending a halloween party dressed up as a police officer) does provide humourous and cringe worthy moments mixed with some soft action moments and the supporting actors help to piece together the rather obvious plot. 

Nina Dobrev plays Justin’s love interest and of course the damsel–in-distress who needs to be saved from mob-man Mossi.  Andy Garcia is the brain behind the brawn and is the crime lord who keeps the criminal cogs turning. 

The comical moments are occasionally stolen by Keegan-Michael Key – the golden-toothed police informant who ends up becoming an unlikely alliance with the wannabe cops.

The plot may not be too original, as we have seen how-to-play-a cop roles before with the likes of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in JUMP STREET, but there are scenes, which provide just as much humour.  Damon Wayans Jr. has a scene in which a huge naked man’s testicles are dangling inches in front of his face and his bad luck continues when he is later forced to smoke an illegal substance despite his reluctance to be part of the whole charade. 

What’s great about the film?

What makes the movie is the energy of the leads, who are always performing at full throttle and the dopey duo have good onscreen chemistry. If you find kick-in-the-crotch moments and a naked man’s balls in the face funny, then this film will be enjoyable.   

What’s wrong with it?

The storyline is never going to win any awards for originality, but the movie does exactly what is says on the tin.

Verdict

★★★★

I don’t care what others thought about it, it certainly made me laugh! 

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