BLU-RAY/DVD REVIEWS

Two cops unknowingly cross a Drug Cartel while investigating some leads after a routine traffic stop. The deeper they dig, the more dangerous the stakes stacked against them become as they do everything within their power to make the streets a safer place.

Jake Gyllenhaal has come a long way since DONNIE DARKO (still one of my all time favorite movies) and it's good to see he can roll with the times and blend seamlessly into any role. Jake as a cop? I was instantly down. Now throw in that this is written and directed by David Ayer (who also wrote TRAINING DAY--another favorite) and I couldn't wait to sit down and dissect this bad boy. The verdict? One solid ass cop orchestra of friendship, blood and honor. This is easily one of the best cop movies in since TRAINING DAY.

The film's truest highlights comes at us twofold: One, we have superbly written script that digs its nails deep into the thought process, dangers and overall pulse of the boys in blue. The content never holds back for a second and there are many a time you'll cringe in both disgust and delight. For my money, we get some busts that open up an insane can of worms Mexican Cartel style, which may or may not be hard to watch for some. Then there's some serious shit that goes down to a couple of their crew on patrol (my eye is twitching just thinking about it). Being a cop is a tough job, and though this is clearly fiction, I'm sure it's not overly exaggerated. Oh, and the fire rescuing scene is five kinds of epic.

The second thing that really works here is the chemistry between Gyllenhaal and his partner Michael Pena. These guys are a riot and their actions, reactions, dialogue and the way they interact with their fellow officers is nothing short of BAD BOYS territory with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. This put a huge smile on my face. These guys feel like brothers and you can't help but love them. I also loved the respect they give out to a dude on the street who calls Pena out. The two of them brawl across the guys living room beating the shit out of one another while Gyllenhaal laughs his ass off.

END OF WATCH is a phenomenal cop drama that knows it's source material, rests its fantastic story on the shoulders of two more than capable actors and really knows how to tug on the old heartstrings. I'm not going to spoil anything, but these movies always tend to end the same and you feel something coming, lurking around every corner. If you want edge of your seat tension, don't worry, this flick has that in spades as well. Here's to Ayer's next masterpiece, keep em' coming bro.

Commentary: Writer/director David Ayer is a blast to listen to, this dude has done his homework and really knows his shit. A worthwhile watch if you're a fan of his work.

Deleted Scenes: This rocks the forty five minute mark (some scenes are simply extended), and I'd have much rather seen that time added to clock of a director's cut. The boxing scene was cool though.

Featurettes: Sadly not as enticing as I'd hoped. This ten minute montage is mostly promotional speeches along with Jake's speech on Fate with a badge. Still cool and all, just not as extensive as I'd hoped.

Previews: There's a handful of trailers, some BD-LIVE content if you're rocking the net as well as DVD, Digital and Ultraviolet Copies of the film.

I love a good cop drama--and hate them--for all the same reasons. They never seem to end the way I want them to, but the ride to the finish line is pure adrenaline when done right. This movie was done right. Enjoy.

Extra Tidbit: It's cool to see Anna Kendrick outside the TWILIGHT universe.