Street Kings

Bring a bulletproof vest ... and a healthy dose of pessimism about law enforcement

By Matt Pais

Metromix
April 10, 2008

Critic's Rating:
3

Street Kings
Street Kings
Running time:
107 minutes
Rated:
R
Cast:
Keanu Reeves -
Tom Ludlow
Forest Whitaker -
Capt. Jack Wander
Hugh Laurie -
Capt. James Biggs
Chris Evans -
Diskant
Cedric the Entertainer -
Scribbles
See full cast
Director:
David Ayer
Official Movie Web Site:
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/streetkings/
Overall User Rating:
2 (2 ratings)
Write a review
Tom (Keanu Reeves), a hero cop with questionable ethics, investigates the death of his ex-partner while an internal reviewer (Hugh Laurie) observes him, and Tom's boss (Forest Whitaker) insists that he let it go. Chris Evans stars as a cop who takes Tom's side, with supporting turns from Jay Mohr, Cedric the Entertainer, Common and The Game.

Big question: Does director David Ayer ("Harsh Times") have anything new to say about crime and corruption?

Skip it:
Moral ambiguity about how to keep a city in check gives way to blunt statements about power hungry officials and the slippery slope of internal back-scratching. It's fast-moving and gritty and more interested in bullet-riddled genre conventions than the fear and danger that pushes honest people over the edge.

Catch it: If you enjoyed the historical poetic license taken in "10,000 B.C." and "The Other Boleyn Girl," Tom explains that the police have the same approach: "It doesn't matter what happens; It's how we write it up."

Bottom line: Thanks to "Speed" and "Constantine," Reeves certainly knows his way around a badge, and Evans is much more assertive than usual. But in "Street Kings" the pieces are more intriguing than the puzzle, which becomes less and less distinctive as it comes together.

Bonus:
Apparently, Tom is told, there's a false rumor going around that vodka can't be smelled on your breath. Well, at least whiskey is indistinguishable, right?

Video: Watch the review of 'Street Kings'

What do you think of 'Street Kings'?
Email me: mpais@tribune.com

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AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15Buy Tickets
4020 Marlton Ave. - Los Angeles, CA 90008
12:10 | 2:40 | 5:20 | 7:50 | 10:35
Beverly Center 13 Cinemas
8522 Beverly Blvd., Suite 835 - Los Angeles, CA 90048
12:00 | 2:30 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:10
Edwards Renaissance Stadium 14Buy Tickets
1 East Main St - Alhambra, CA 91801
2:45 | 7:55
AMC Norwalk 20
12300 E. Civic Center Drive - Norwalk, CA 90650
4:55 | 10:15
AMC Pine Square 16
245 Pine Ave. 100 - Long Beach, CA 90802
12:15 | 2:40 | 5:15 | 7:55 | 10:30
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