Street Kings (Movie Review)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t like Keanu Reeves. But damn if this wasn’t a great movie. And the names in it: Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie (House), Chris Evans (Fantastic Four), Common, The Game, John Corbett (Sex and the City), Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break), Cedric the Entertainer, and Jay Mohr. Okay, so maybe a few of those aren’t technically "named" actors, but I’ve seen ‘em and they’re pretty good.

I’m not a cop, but I work for them. I respect them and the work that they do, and I realize that they aren’t always portrayed in the best light. So why is it the best movies and TV shows always make us feel sympathetic toward the dirty ones? Does it matter that Reeves character, Det. Ludlow, a dirty cop, is being set up by even dirtier cops? He’s the "hero" of the movie, but he’s still a bad guy. Will he have a change of heart by the end of the movie? Will his conscience emerge and save his soul? Well, it’s not that kind of movie, so it doesn’t really matter.

This movie about power, about revenge, about secrets and loyalty. It’s about what must be done in order to keep or increase that level of power, to keep the secrets hidden, about the sacrifices made in the name of revenge and loyalty.

This is the best, let me repeat that, the best job I’ve seen Reeves do in a role. This is the first time I haven’t seen him do a shade or a version of Ted Logan. I believed him in this, like I haven’t believed him in anything else (yes, even the Matrix...he was not what was enjoyable about The Matrix).

Forest Whitaker’s left eye kinda creeps me out. I just thought I’d throw that in here. And Jay Mohr has a porn mustache. It’s funny.

So yeah, I liked this movie, and it blows my mind that I actually liked Keanu Reeves in something. Do yourself a favor and rent this. If you don’t mind some adult language and a lot of blood and violence, rent this movie. I wouldn’t call any of it gratuitous, because it all makes sense in context, but it does get a bit rough. So if you don’t mind that, rent this movie.

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Listening to: Say Anything - I Got Your Money (Ol' Dirty Bastard)
via FoxyTunes