Rating of
2/4
De-throne these "Kings"!
kcvidkid - wrote on 04/15/08
In the post-viewing hype I consumed about "Street Kings", I learned that the filmmakers wanted it to be linked to "L.A. Confidential" since the source material for both came from author James Ellroy. I would never have realized that on my own: "Street Kings" is nowhere near the quality of one of my favorite movies from 1997.
However, unlike "Hitman", which I also had the misfortune to watch last weekend, "Street Kings" at least has more going for it. It is at least average.
But its strengths and weaknesses both come from the same element of the movie: its cast. I have to admit that I wanted to see "Street Kings" becase of Keanu Reeves, Chris Evans, Forest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie. I figured it HAD to be good. Instead, it's only interesting. I think Keanu was all right. But Chris is underutilized, Forest overacts, and Hugh cannot shake the persona of TV's "House".
While the action is coherent, the plot is familiar and obvious, squandering every opportunity to present its many "twists" with any element of surprise or suspense.
Skin Rating = 1 (out of 4). Chris does sport a tight, form-fitting t-shirt in one scene; however, he never has opportunity to remove it. There are hints of Keanu flesh here and there (unbuttoned shirts, sex scene) but it's looking old and pasty. I'm not sure if he bulked up a little for this role or if he's gotten fat, but he's sure not the buff Keanu from "Point Break".
