cynical ’street kings’ makes no sense (or smoke)
Bob RossHard to tell cops from crooks among these “Kings”
Street Kings
Been craving a Keanu Reeves fix lately? Well, Mr. Personality is back in action with Street Kings, a rock-’em sock-’em cop-crime thriller that relies on gunplay and bloodletting to distract us from an absurdly cynical story. Co-written by James Ellroy of “L.A. Confidential” fame, this LA story lacks the savvy bite and observant dialogue of its predecessor. Instead, we get multiple murders and a never-ending game of Who Do You Trust.
Reeves plays a recently widowed LAPD detective whose sullen arrogance is tested sorely when he finds himself set up as a suspect in a cop-killing. It’s a complicated mess, and I spoil nothing by telling you that there’s corruption in the ranks and at pretty much every level. Forest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie play key authority figures, neither of whom seems to believe our man Keanu’s innocence. Innocence is a relative term here, and consistency isn’t part of the equation. Director David Ayer is all about suspense and action, logic be damned.
We are pleased to report, however, that none of these tough guys smokes cigarettes. Welcome to the newly correct Hollywood, where murderers have to set a good health example for kids.
The movie gets a C.
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