Few films have sparked as much odd controversy as Kevin Smith's Cop Out, especially considering the overall merits and theory of the movie. Hitting theaters on the back of some less than stellar reviews, one of recent memories strangest firestorms ensued, with Smith bashing critics on Twitter, and several levels of backlash following.
The whole thing is so curious, because the film is decidedly middle of the road fare, and not particularly bad, even in spite of itself. A harmless enough, and pretty fun take on buddy cop films, it is a film that has its moments, and certainly doesn't have the delusions of grandeur necessary for any especially pointed critique of either the effort, or the result.
Jimmy Monroe (Bruce Willis) and Paul Hodges (Tracy Morgan) are NYPD detectives, and recent misstep leads to their suspension. We get the idea that they are not absolutely "by the book" cops. Partners for almost a decade, theirs is not your typical relationship, and while not quite love/hate, it is one that finds much of its glue in a state of curious bewilderment.
Jimmy is a somewhat standard veteran cop, having grown rather short on patience for all the rules, and Paul is... not ordinary. Driving our post-suspension story are Jimmy's need to pay for his daughter's very expensive wedding so that he isn't made to look bad by his ex-wife's new, wealthy husband, and Paul's suspicions that his wife is cheating on him.
When Jimmy goes to sell a rare baseball card to get the money he needs, the store is randomly robbed, and the card is lost. The chase leads the boys to a ganglord, and its a winding road that will hopefully get us where we're going, including a stopover with the world's most annoying thief.
The worst you can say about it is that it is perhaps a bit overworked, and it isn't quite as funny as it thinks it is, but considering the genre (and other recent titles), it isn't remotely worthy of the poison pen treatment.
Most won't find much to laugh out loud about, but it has its moments, and succeeds as light entertainment. Tracey Morgan is himself somewhat polarizing, which will play into anyone's take on the overall product, but Willis delivers well in a role that only offers so much opportunity.
This is a thoroughly entrenched mood/genre effort, and though there isn't much that stands out for recommendation, it is at worst some manner of 'average by definition'. The banter between the leads will carry you along, and the curiously non-couched pseudo-aggravation underlying their relationship provides some interesting moments.
As difficult to defend as it ought to be to attack, Cop Out simply provides too little ammo to use in any direction. Perhaps not high praise, for many occasions it is certainly enough.
Rating: 
The Blu-Ray offers up Maximum Comedy Mode as its bonus material. Integrating more than an hour of extended scenes and outtakes, picture-in-picture commentary with Kevin Smith and Seann William Scott, and other additional info about the film, Maximum Comedy Mode gives you much of the usual bonus feature offerings in an all-encompassing format.
At times far exceeding the value of the film itself, Kevin Smith manages a good take on his film, and himself, and the bonus footage is worthwhile. I would even go so far as to say that first-timers might as well go ahead and skip straight to this, and leave a straight run of the movie for a later decision. With little regard for anyone else's take on things, Smith lays it out the way he wants, which some will find commendable, and others boorish, but no one can say is boring.
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Officers Jimmy Monroe and Paul Hodges have their weapons drawn on a gun-wielding killer. They agree to shoot on three. But, wait, does that mean 1…2…shoot or 1…2…3…then shoot? Punches hit hard and laughs hit harder (or is it the other way ’round?) when action star Bruce Willis and ace comic Tracy Morgan pair as bickering-but-got-your-back Brooklyn buddy cops. Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) directs the gritty, goofball goings-on as the guys hunt for a stolen 1952 mint-condition baseball card (Jimmy needs it to fund his daughter’s wedding), a hunt plunging them into a gunslinging war with a deadly drug ring. Batter up, fans. The boys are ready to take you out to the ol’ brawl game! http://copoutmovie.warnerbros.com/dvd/
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About Marc Eastman
Marc Eastman is the owner and operator of Are You Screening? and has been writing film reviews for over a decade, and several branches of the internet's film review world have seen his name. His reviews have brought him personal praise from the director of a major motion picture, and have been used as required reading in a course at a major University. These priceless rewards, along with just bags of cash, keep him from straying from freelance writing. He is also a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association and The Broadcast Television Journalists Association.
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