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The
fear might be that this is
merely a rejected script for
Lethal Weapon 5 that Mel Gibson
didn't want anything to do with
now that he's not only richer
than God but in the big man's
good books for The Passion of
the Christ to boot.
Somehow,
though, this combination of
talent with chequered pasts has
merged to bring out the best in
all concerned. Though there may
be little logic to the plot,
centred around Downey Jr's petty
thief trying to make it as an
actor in Hollywood under gay
detective Kilmer's tutelage
amidst an LA underworld that
becomes increasingly strewn with
bodies, the two leads are both
back at the top of their
game.
This
kind of movie, undoubtedly a
buddy cop film in the fine 1980s
tradition of Lethal Weapon, 48
Hours and Beverley Hills Cop,
but with a noughties twist,
succeeds purely on the charisma
and on-screen relationship of
the lead actors. With Downey Jr
and Kilmer on top of their game,
as they are here after a long
famine of good roles, even with
the most ridiculous premise the
movie would work. They both,
when on form, can exude such an
easy presence and charm that
either alone could buoy up an
otherwise poor movie. Neither
has done so for such a long time
- the sight of both working
expertly together is a real joy.
This is by no means an excellent
movie - it's a bit too silly to
become that. It is, however,
great fun, solidly entertaining,
and a long-overdue return to
form for two of Hollywood's
finest bad boy actors.
ANY
SPECIAL FEATURES?
Gag
reel and a commentary with Val
Kilmer, Robert Downey Jr. and
Shane Black, as well as the
theatrical trailer.
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