Street Kings (2008)
Keanu Reeves, Chris Evans, Jay Mohr
Tom Ludlow (Reeves) is a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the l... (read more) Tom Ludlow (Reeves) is a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.
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R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed by:
David Ayer
Release Date: Apr 03, 2008
DVD Release Date: Aug 19, 2008
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Flixster User Reviews
I think it's one of the few times that a movie completely surprised me. I went in thinking that it was going to be something like Speed, but this is an excellent movie. The cast did a tremendous job, especially Keanu Reeves, who clearly gave his best... (read more) I think it's one of the few times that a movie completely surprised me. I went in thinking that it was going to be something like Speed, but this is an excellent movie. The cast did a tremendous job, especially Keanu Reeves, who clearly gave his best performance of is career. It is a perfectly written crime epic from James Ellroy, who always delivers a great story.
quite a good film but the twist was not hidden at all which made the middle of the film a bit frustrating. The ending was obvious from the first major story point.
Surprisingly enjoyable most of the way. Keanu tries his best, God bless him. Forest Whitaker throws a wildly OTT tantrum.
'Street Kings' is one of a long line of cliched cop dramas. But because it's so entertaining, so compulsively entertaining, it's hard not to love every blood soaked bullet riddled minute of it.
Keanu Reeves takes on a dirty cop scenario in a lightless and even surprisingly twisty plot. Of course Reeves having just "the face" on him all the time you can't really speak of any deep acting, but the story still makes its way through well and is ... (read more) Keanu Reeves takes on a dirty cop scenario in a lightless and even surprisingly twisty plot. Of course Reeves having just "the face" on him all the time you can't really speak of any deep acting, but the story still makes its way through well and is interesting to follow. After a few reveals you're starting to be suspicious if the whole world is against the one bad cop playing the anti-hero-turned-good.
And in the end, that's pretty much what it was all about. Good ol' cop-movie with nothing too fancy, just a lot of bad guys, bullets and bad luck
In some ways it's a poor mans version of Training Day. The plot is solid but while it's never a secret who the real mastermind is it does entertain along the way. On the downside it has another wooden performance from Keanu Reeves but the supporting ... (read more) In some ways it's a poor mans version of Training Day. The plot is solid but while it's never a secret who the real mastermind is it does entertain along the way. On the downside it has another wooden performance from Keanu Reeves but the supporting cast keeps it watchable. If you like LA crime and cop corruption films then check this one out.
Critic Reviews
Street Kings wastes a moderately intriguing premise by filling it with laughably clichéd dialogue, one-dimensional characters and implausible turns of events.full review
Like director David Ayer's previous movies (he wrote Training Day), Street Kings is about the joy of badass coppery.full review
Street Kings wobbles increasingly as it runs along, beginning well, growing so-so and culminating in a preposterous here's-what-it-all-means confession by the main villain.full review
What drags the film down, and in the end sinks it, is its unimaginatively complete grimness and cynicism.full review
There's a lot to appreciate in Street Kings, a tight, propulsive action thriller, but there's one thing to marvel at, and that's James Ellroy's command of story.full review
Much of the casting is dead-on, from Cedric the Entertainer as a street dealer to Jay Mohr as a slimy cop and Chris Evans as an earnest rookie who saddles up with Reeves' Ludlow for an ill-fated ride.full review
Don't get me wrong. Street Kings clips along with brutal efficiency, but the plot that sets up Tom for a frame-up is, in critic parlance, a strain on credulity.full review
If only Street Kings' director, David Ayers, and screenwriter, James Ellroy, had the wit to complement Keanu's ingenuity; instead, Street Kings unintentionally provokes laughter.full review
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