BROOKLYN’S FINEST
CAROLINE: I was almost riveted by the trailer for the new movie Brooklyn’s Finest. Did the film itself deliver?
RYAN: You were definitely more inspired about seeing this movie than I was and frankly, I was surprised you want see it that much, since it’s such a boy movie.
CAROLINE: I’m allowed to like a good boy movie. Thank you.
RYAN: And I think you’d like this one. I kinda liked it.
CAROLINE: Just kinda?
RYAN: I think so. I mean, I liked the action and story and the intensity of it. The big scenes are very heart-racing. But the rest of it is slow and kinda just drags.
CAROLINE: Well that sounds like a kind of balance.
RYAN: It’s almost like the director, Antoine Fuqua, is a very chill Quentin Tarantino. Like Pulp Fiction, there are different stories that intertwine by the end. And the violence is sometimes swift and shocking.
CAROLINE: That is Quentin-ish. This Antoine previously directed Training Day. How was Richard Gere?
RYAN: He’s good, you know? And there’s a shadowing of his character from Pretty Woman in his portrayal in this film. That’s all I’m giving you.
CAROLINE: Now you make me wanna see it even more.
RYAN: I don’t mean to build it up.
CAROLINE: Too late. How was Ethan Hawke?
RYAN: He’s actually really good in this. He really impressed me but I also loved the chemistry between Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes. Both give fine performances.
CAROLINE: Who’s the token dame in it? There’s always one, right?
RYAN: There are actually three or four great gals in this. My fave, though, was Ellen Barkin.
CAROLINE: Really? Where’s she been lately?
RYAN: I love how she walks that fine line between super strong woman and crazy bitch so well.
CAROLINE: [laughs’ You would like that.
RYAN: The story brings up a lot of different themes and raises some moral questions. It’s the kind of flick you can talk about, and continue to piece together, with friends after viewing, which is always fun.
CAROLINE: I do want to see it.
— BOTTOM LINE —
RYAN: It’s an intense cop drama that just lags more than I would have liked. If the momentum had been more consistent I could have imagined walking out and raving about it; but really, it’s slower and longer than I would have liked. Still, it works. If you like the R-rated police films, go for it.
— RATING —
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