The Other Guys – Movie Review

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The Other Guys – Movie Review
An elite tandem of cops are the envy of the department as well as their fellow second-tier cops.
Anne Brodie
Aug 6, 2010

It’s rare that audiences cut their laughter so they don’t miss the next line. But The Other Guys is so densely and raucously funny that they sharp intakes of breath can be heard throughout most of the 107 minute running time. The film holds its own from start to finish, showing negligible sag and plenty of gusto. The film’s not just extremely funny, it’s exhilarating.

Mark Wahlberg is a natural comic. Everyone knows comedy is the hardest of all the performances disciplines, but bouncing from The Departed, Shooter, and The Lovely Bones, to The Other Guys’ Terry is truly impressive.

Wahlberg’s near hysteria pitch, delivery and priceless dough head expressions are astonishing and his flavor blends sensationally with ol’ faithful Will Ferrell as Allen.

Ferrell never ceases to amaze with the many styles of funny that he can deliver. His character is ordered, quiet and bland – and yet sensationally funny.

They’re the “other guys” in a Manhattan squad room full of swaggering alpha males. The leaders of the pack (Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson) hurl abuse at them, and accomplish great feats of policing gymnastics, for a while at least.

The “other guys” figure it’s their turn in the spotlight, but Terry has to wrench Allen from his desk, his safety zone where he shuffles papers as a forensic accountant, loudly humming 70’s pop pap.

Once on the streets, they find themselves in the way of an international Ponzi scheme apparently run by arrogant British fop Dave (Steve Coogan). Dave is surrounded by goons who are either doing his bidding or holding him hostage.

Allen takes Terry home for dinner and a case confab. Terry instantly falls for Allen’s wife (Eva Mendes) a stunner who Allen treats like a servant and calls “plain”. Their relationship is a peculiar one and hotness-wise, just doesn’t add up. Plenty of mirth here.

The boys take another confab break in an Irish bar where Allen joins up to sing with the local old Irish patrons, he sings the songs of murder and mayhem with a charming Irish lilt. And he’s joined by Malachy McCourt.

It’s difficult to repeat the endless zingers in the film, as they come so quickly on top of each other. McKay knows his stuff, having proven himself with Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Step Brothers and Anchorman: the Legend of Ron Burgundy. He releases his stars incredible comic energy and throws in interesting artistic, cinematic flourishes that add oomph to the experience.

Co-writer Chris Henchy creates a perfect union of writing and for extra interest throws in his wife, Brooke Shields, who flirts with Allen at a basketball game. They got the tickets from Dave who is trying to buy them off with seats at The Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and more before they realize they’re being bought off. Of course, David’s largesse is wasted on these innocents.

The humor is unexpected, fresh, and welcome in the summer movie universe of retreads, rehashes and 3D experiments. The Other Guys is the real thing.

35mm comedy
Written by Adam McKay, Chris Henchy
Directed by Adam McKay
Opens Aug 6
Runtime: 107 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language, violence and some drug material
Country: USA
Language: English