Street Kings

Reviewed by Alicia Glass
May 14, 2008

Directors: David Ayer Studio: Regency Enterprises MPAA: R Website: Click Here

Courtesy of Regency Enterprises

Tom Ludlow is a veteran LAPD cop with erratic tendencies, finding himself set up when he sets out to avenge the murder of his former partner.

Made by the same guys who did Training Day, which I adore, this movie doesn’t stand up at all. If you want Keanu Reeves in a role where he has too much power and it’s made him more than a little crazy, go watch Constantine. He plays the crazy guy just fine, but there needs to be more action or science-fiction for it to work. This is the street-hardened cop who plays by his own rules, and while that’s fine and dandy, Mr. Reeves has been in far too many huge-budget movies to slum down to this.

The choice of Forest Whitaker for the corrupt police Captain is unwise. Whitaker’s other performances, like in Species, generally portray him as a capable actor, but one destined for softer, kinder roles. Having him yelling about how he’s going to be the “friggin Mayor” of this city while he attempts to shoot Ludlow, doesn’t seem to fit the actor at all.

There’s no real surprise ending, few honestly poignant moments, and plenty of unwelcome testosterone. The only thing this movie is King of, is the $1.99 rent rack.

More Screenshots :