More Ferrell and McKay hilarity.

The Other Guys

Director: Adam McKay.

Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Whalberg, Eva Mendes, Micheal Keaton, Steve Cougan.

3/5

Love em or hate em, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay are an unstoppable comedic force in Hollywood today. The Other Guys hearkens back to buddy cop movies of the 80's, a la the Lethal Weapon franchise as well as Beverly Hills Cop. The Other Guys might function as a celebration of the genre just as well as it parodies it, with the actor-director team mixing in their signature brand of raunchy jokes, perfect timing, and hilariously random, zany situational comedy.

Alan Gamble, (Will Ferrell) is a accountant for the NYPD. He does up the numbers and the paperwork that the superstar field officers, (played by Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson) are too busy kicking ass to do. He's a geeky, square yuppie who takes no risks in life. Terry Hoitz (Mark Whalberg) works across from him. He's a no-nonsense former police officer who must now work along with the geeks in accounting because of a haunting police past (it's not serious, don't worry.) Alan discovers that a famous financial monster (Steve Cougan) has not received some scaffolding permits on buildings in the city. Pairing up as partners after the strange death of the superstar officers, Gamble and Hoitz go to arrest (Cougan) but uncover a bigger crime regarding extortion of funds to cover up expenses. Now, the two rookie officers are stuck in he middle of a huge scandalous conspiracy.

The script presents McKay at his most focused. There is a point to this film, a political point, as seen in the ending credits where statistics from the financial crisis flash across the screen. Also, a line at the end of the film references Goldman Sachs, the corporation in hot water from the government right now. But, McKay has not lost his comedic touch. The jokes are random, hilarious and executed to perfection by most of the cast. This is just as, if not more quotable than Stepbrothers or Anchorman. Not everything is perfect, however. Many cameos and bit parts by the cast fall flat. Rob Riggle plays the same character that he plays in...everything. Wayans has a few funny lines, including what is arguably the funniest in the film, but overall he didn't create anything fresh or exciting. Jokes fall flat or are rehashed from earlier in the film. But the charm of the leads and the zaniness of the story keep the film going at a brisk pace and allow it to be hilarious.

The chemistry between Ferrell and Whalberg is picture perfect. The geek and the hard ass are a classic combination for a duo, and both actors play their respective parts with a vigorous and zealous quality. McKay has a steady hand behind the camera, making for a breezy and enjoyable film. His fine work is his most impressive to date, many of the over the top action sequences being better than some of his serious action contemporaries. The explosions and car chases have just enough surrealism to not take them seriously.

With a vision and focus for their film, Ferrell and McKay create their best yet, a comedy/parody classic with enough crazy comedy to satisfy Ferrell and McKay fans.