Rating of
4/4
End of Watch review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 02/09/13
"Let's go fight crime." It may not win Oscars or any awards, it may not even have respect from certain viewers and film critics, but for this reviewer, it was pure non-stop entertainment from start to finish. One of the best cop movies around. For additional authenticity, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña had to undergo training for their roles as officers of the Los Angeles Police Department including ride alongs 3 times a week. That's dedication to your craft and realism, including one of the best police related openings for a picture. Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and Miguel Zavala (Peña) are not only partners, but best of friends who go about their day. Brian films their experience at work using a small camera and video cam.
Camera direction was not dizzying and offers some nice cinematography coupled with a suspenseful soundtrack. The leads did their jobs well, and without the earnest performances of Peña and Gyllenhaal, the film would not work. Peña was surprisingly effective, and we know what were getting from Gyllenhaal. Details of the job were impeccable and humor spot-on. Screenplay was effective with lines: "Marriage is forever." - Z, "Behind my badge is a heart like yours. I bleed, I think, I love, and yes I can be killed. And although I am but one man, I have thousands of brothers and sisters who are the same as me. They will lay down their lives for me and I them. We stand watch together." - Brian. It's themes of dating, racism, bad parenting, violence, brotherhood, marriage, justice and heroism were brilliantly displayed. End of watch is a gritty, realistic, smart and fun, some pictures of the genre rarely do have these elements. This may become a cult favorite someday.
