PDA

View Full Version : National Security


Anonymooo
05-26-2003, 04:44 AM
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0271668/NS-95.jpg

I like buddy-cop movies. I don't love 'em all, but I can point fingers at a few that are damn fine pieces of work. For instance, the Lethal Weapon movies, 48 Hours, Bad Boys, and the often-panned Showtime are my personal favorites.

National Security follows the basic buddy formula, about two guys who hate each other who end up being forced to work together, thus, bonding and becoming friends in the process whilst kicking loads of ass. Nothing original, unique, or otherwise special, but hell, if it works, it works.

A by-the-book beat cop (Steve Zahn) witnesses his partner getting shot down by a mysterious tattooed robber--and soon takes out his frustration on a loudmouthed Police Academy reject (Martin Lawrence), leading to a swift police brutality case, Zahn's getting booted off the force, and six months in the clink.

Now working as a lowly security guard, Zahn reluctantly teams with Lawrence to battle a vague smuggling ring, led by corrupt cops and, of all people, Eric Roberts. Jeez, Julia, get your brother some better jobs already!

As I've said before, National Security is nothing special, but it entertains... to a point. The action sequences are good, mixing car chases with tons more gunfire than I've ever seen Steve Zahn around, and a few cool surprises, like Martin Lawrence engaging Eric Roberts in a brief hand-to-hand brawl in the flick's climax.

It's funny, too, but I personally got a little tired of the whole black/white thing, which is played out way too much in this, mainly with Lawrence tacking on a "because I'm BLACK, right?!" at the end of every sentence.

The big rentals to get this week are The Recruit and The Pianist, but if you need some light entertainment after all that heavy-handed drama, National Security is a fair bet.

5.5/10

MisterTwister
06-05-2003, 01:16 AM
The movie was unfunny but had some great action. 5/10

FilmBuff84
06-07-2003, 07:00 AM
This action/comedy was a lot better than I expected, and, to me, it was more of an action film. It got some laughs out of me, and was the best Martin Lawrence film in a long time. Steve Zahn played it more straight, but had plenty of laughs to go around. Some jokes fell flat, felt forced and Lawrence's schtick on being a 'black guy' grew tired, and Eric Roberts, taking time out of his busy straight-to-video career, was wasted and laughable in the bad guy role complete with peroxide blonde hair, but overall I enjoyed myself, but it was nothing too spectacular. 5/10

http://bzine.bscene.com.au/reviews/n/1/nationalsecurity2.jpg

PorcheRacer
06-08-2003, 05:20 PM
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0271668/NS-50.jpg

I might be in the minority here, but I liked it alot. I think one of the reasons I liked it so much was because of Steve Zahn. He brings life to all his characters and he's damn funny. He did a great job playing Hank. Martin Lawrence is alright, if you liked him in his other movies then you'll like him in this one too. The movie would have worked better with some other black comedian, like Chris Rock. He's way funnier then Lawrence in my eyes. There was also alot of action, more then most action comedies. My complaints are that the main villian was pretty lame and it's not very original. We've seen it all before, but Steve Zahn's funny performance and the action make this one worthwhile. 8/10

**Where I'm coming from**

Super Troopers (6/10)
Blue Streak (6/10)
Joy Ride (9/10)
48 Hours (8/10)
Big Momma's House (6/10)
Bad Boys (6/10)