'The Other Guys' an intentionally ludicrous buddy cop movie

The Other Guys

(Cert 12, 103 mins, Comedy)

Detectives PK Highsmith (Samuel L Jackson) and Christopher Danson (Dwayne Johnson) are the golden boys of the NYPD, monopolising newspaper headlines with their gung-ho antics.

When the two officers are sidelined, hot-headed Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) and his mild-mannered partner Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) vie with rival detectives Fosse (Damon Wayans Jr) and Martin (Rob Riggle) to lead the team.

“I’m a peacock. You’ve got to let me fly!” Terry implores Captain Gene Mauch (Michael Keaton), desperate to be included on a case involving multi-millionaire David Ershon (Steve Coogan).

When his pleas fall on deaf ears, Terry drags Allen into the field with only a wooden replica gun for protection.

The Other Guys is an intentionally ludicrous buddy cop movie that gets considerable mileage from several running jokes including Terry’s ability to pull very sexy women such as his wife, Dr Sheila Gamble (Eva Mendes).

Wahlberg has a blast as the rogue cop with a short fuse and Ferrell brings out the sweetness and vulnerability of his clumsy oaf. Coogan fares less well in a thankless supporting role.

Explosive action sequences collide with polished one-liners and some amusing supporting performances.

The plot careens along at breakneck speed, unchaining itself from plausibility early on with the sudden and unexpected exits of Jackson and Johnson.

Rating: 3/5