They only look like cops.|Jan. 17, 2003|United States|88 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Action;Comedy;Crime;Thriller
Description: “National Security” (2003) is a lackluster action-comedy that heavily relies on car chases and explosions while neglecting essential elements like plot, character development, and humor. Much of the film’s humor appears improvised by Martin Lawrence, whose character, Earl Montgomery, is so off-putting that his antics quickly become tiresome. Earl, a failed police recruit, falsely accuses Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn), a good-hearted cop mourning his partner’s death, of brutality. As a result, Hank loses his job, his girlfriend, and serves six months in prison.
The premise is offensive to both law enforcement and victims of police brutality, yet the filmmakers expect viewers to find it amusing and root for Earl and Hank’s eventual friendship. Steve Zahn, a talented comedic actor, shines in better roles (“Out of Sight,” “Joy Ride”) but is sidelined here, with his character reduced to relying on a mustache for expression. Supporting actors like Bill Duke and Colm Feore are underutilized, and the plot is nonsensical, with forced humor and generic action sequences.
Zahn attempts to craft a character from nothing, while Lawrence struggles to deliver laughs. Ultimately, “National Security” is a poorly conceived vehicle for Lawrence, showcasing his inability to appeal to law enforcement, comedy fans, or civil liberties advocates. Instead, it highlights problematic elements like racism, stupidity, and a lack of common sense.
Cast director: Dennis Dugan
Cast actor: Steve Zahn, Martin Lawrence, Colm Feore, Eric Roberts, Timothy Busfield, Robinne Lee, Bill Duke, Brett Cullen, Matt McCoy, Stephen Tobolowsky
Original name: National Security