The latest installment from Will Ferrell comes complete with car chases, gun fire and explosions, even too big and powerful the cool guys have to look. Will Ferrell plays detective Allen Gamble who chooses to a life of simplicity just so he never gets out of control again, like he has done in the past, is joined by his partner Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) who desperately needs to spread his peacock wings and fly after a shooting incident involving Derek Jeter. This action packed comedy is star packed with many other big names including, Samuel Jackson, Michael Keaton, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, all playing characters with pleanty of humor in store.
Detective Hoitz and Gamble are the other guys, in the shadow of the Hero’s Highsmith (Samuel Jackson) and Danson (Dwayne Johnson). But after a case opens that results in Highsmith and Danson’s deaths someone needs to step up and be the new hero’s. After Hoitz discovers a scaffolding permit problem with multi-billionaire investor David Ershon (Steve Coogan) they begin the biggest case they have ever worked and don’t even know it. After many mishaps, and errors resulting in big laughs for the audience they find themselves in the midst of danger that may just get them killed. During their investigation they are taken off the case and resigned which seems as though Hoitz is happy with, but Gamble finds his new taste for action and justice have forced him to undertake the investigation into his own hands until he finds the truth and needs Hoitz’s help. Separate the other guys are unable to solve the case but together they just may be able to crack it wide open and become the cities new heroes.
I have to say I didn’t find this movie to be quite the same humor as Ferrell’s other films but it was full of a mixture of old and new thanks to his co star Wahlberg. Without Wahlberg whom is usually seen playing action or serious roles the movie would not have been the same. Everything i found myself laughing at Wahlbergs lines i thought back to the fact that this is a side usually never seen from him in films, it was a refreshing new aspect to the film and possibly his career. The rest of the humor was based around stupidity of their characters and the rest of the cast through their antics and character personas, such as the Cheif of police (Michael Keaton) who continued to bring up lines throughout the movie quoting TLC songs like “Don’t want no scrubs” and then claiming he had no memory of hearing the song or that the band existed. Its little aspects like that throughout the movie that contsantly keep you laughing till the end.
The action used to keep the story enticing was also done very well, with a large explosion, gun fights and even a very exciting car chase near the end of the film. The best choreographed car chase i have seen in a while actually. It occurs when they need to get to the bank at then end which as soon as they drive out of the parking garage they are immediatly attacked by the security force hired to get David Ershon. After some skilled driving done by Gamble (well his stunt man) in of all things a Prius, they escape them and are then attacked by the Chechniens and again requires some skilled driving and a little help from Hoitz to get away. Once that is done they again are attacked by annother group that Ershon owes money to. The Nigerien’s. When all is said and done they escape unharmed, this cannot be said about Gambles Prius however. The entire scene involves cars, a helocopter, and motorcycles and using humor and action they keep you quite engaged throughout it.
Overall this movie was quite enjoyable although it probably wasn’t one of Ferrell’s best films in my opinion. Some of the humor was a little stale and aside from a few great lines nothing really stood apart in itself from the film. That being said however the movie as a whole was still quite enjoyable and quite entertaining. It is a must see for any Will Ferrell fan and I highly recommend watching it when the kids are not in the room.