The Other Guys (2010)

Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, et al
Rated PG-13, 107 minutes

There have been many movies made about heroic policemen, who cause explosions and car crashes along the way to becoming talk of the town. But what about the people in the office? What about the officers who don't get snappy lines? This is a movie about them. The other guys.

"The guys" in this case are Samuel L. Jackson and The Rock, who bring the funny in the first part of the movie. They give way to the glory-less duo of Will Ferrell & Mark Wahlberg. Will is a cop who pushes paper. Mark is a cop who wants to be a big deal, but has a shame within the ranks of the department. He's always trying to drag Will Ferrell's character out on a call. They only seem to make their reputation worse. When one of the less exciting leads opens up a wealth of other crime, the duo thinks they finally found their ticket.

Mark Wahlberg brings the same intensity and shouting I loved him for in "The Departed," only this time with a comic bent. Despite Will Ferrell doing his usual thing, they make a great pair. There are a number of jokes that blindside you - absurdity where you didn't expect it. I kept the description above vague for that reason. There's big laughs that work for the majority of the crowd, and lots of little stuff peppered in for the more attentive viewer. Michael Keaton's slightly over-the-top performance as police captain, coupled with a rival cop played by Rob Riggle of "The Daily Show," add to the fun.

***¾

I laughed out loud a good number of times. An easy earmark for your summer movie budget.