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 Rated: R
Tom Ludlow (Reeves), a member of Ad
Vice, a specialized cop unit led by Captain Wander (Whitaker) that deals with
the seedy and repulsive aspects of the Los
Angeles community, doesn’t hesitate to carry out a
command. His personality has roughened
even more since he lost his wife to a terrible accident, and if he has to wipe
prints from a gun to delete a killer from the streets, there’s no
hesitation. Nothing holds him back from
a swift and deadly resolve to most crimes in order to protect the community and
himself.
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Starring: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans, Jay Mohr
Directed by: David Ayer
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Following
a deadly police sting, Ludlow’s
former partner gets murdered and he starts investigating the death on his own,
turning over a lot of rocks he shouldn’t.
When Captain Biggs, (Laurie) from Internal Affairs, starts questioning Ludlow’s efforts, Wander
does everything he can to protect his man, even if it means outing some
corruption involving his higher ups.
Reeves
gives an explosive performance as the cop who won’t quit, even if it means
certain death. He makes his character a
dark hero fighting the forces of evil on the streets and within the force. Unlike past performances as a good-deed cop
in the Speed series, he’s rough, a drunk, and as cunning as a fox in his portrayal of Ludlow.
In support,
Whitaker and Laurie are two opposites.
Whitaker’s Wander is conniving and controlling, while Laurie’s Biggs
shows a forthright side of the force, which makes for a great at-odds story
within the plot. I had to laugh during the
point in the film where Laurie enters the story (I’m sure you will too if you have seen
Laurie in his hit TV series, House), it’s a great tension easer. Oh, and Cedric
doesn’t play a comic here, he’s an all-new different kind of character in Street
Kings... one that’s worthy of applause.
I can’t say enough
about the direction of Ayre for Street Kings, but he had a lot of practice
as a writer of films for this genre (Training Day, Harsh Times and Fast and the
Furious). In Street Kings
he brings the testy script to life, guiding the excellent cast and keeping them
within their interesting characters. I
was totally caught up in his beginning scene, which gives life to the remainder
of the fast-paced action story.
FINAL ANALYSIS:
If you love gritty cop flicks, this action drama is a must-see.
This Reviewer's Rating:   4 / 5
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