Empire's The Other Guys Movie Review

The Other Guys
Crackpot Fuzz

Plot
Meet Allen Gamble (Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Wahlberg). They’re not the hero cops you see on the news, they’re the desk jockeys who get lumbered with the crap assignments and paperwork. But when they get a chance to crack a big case, Terry spots a chance for them to shine.

Review

After the one-two punch worries about overexposure and the box office flop that was Land Of The Lost, Will Ferrell is probably glad to be back in the comfortably collaborative arms of Adam McKay, his cohort on such classics as Anchorman and Talladega Nights.

The Other Guys isn’t as consistently entertaining as those two, since it also tries to hew to the plot, in which the threat comes across more like a Michael Moore documentary than a solid reason for the boys in blue to get involved. It also leaves Steve Coogan struggling in a fitfully amusing, spineless ‘villain’ role. Thankfully, though, it’s still loaded with big laughs in patches.

That’s helped by the pair surrounding themselves with a blend of folk to whom funny comes naturally and those who don’t always get to play in the laughter field. Michael Keaton is a comic god here, delivering a new spin on the unforgiving captain with his subconsciously TLC-referencing, homewares store-moonlighting Gene Mauch. Chief among the latter group is Mark Wahlberg, who pitches Terry’s strained desire to wheedle his way back into the top ranks perfectly. Cursed with dull duties and Allen as a partner after accidentally injuring a baseball legend on the job, he’s a seething cauldron of anger, and the perfect foil for Ferrell. The pair have a clumsy chemistry that works for the most part, their conflicting attitudes generating some of the biggest laughs. Eva Mendes, meanwhile, is funnier than she’s been since All About The Benjamins, adding real enthusiasm for nutty moments to her usual slinky sexuality.

Will gets to be Will, as he slowly peels away Allen’s layers to reveal the dark and yet hilarious past of the pencil pusher who’s initially a figure of fun for his peers. As the former forensic accountant warms to the idea of becoming an all-action officer, he mutates into something just as likely to generate chuckles. Special mention must also go to Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson, who provide the meathead inspiration for Terry and Allen in their quest to become more adventurous law enforcers. Opening the film with a spot-on parody of every OTT police cliché, they’re also the stars of one of the film’s best gags. After the sour Cop Out experience earlier this year, the Guys are a tonic.

Verdict

Reviewed by James White

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Average user rating for The Other Guys

The Other Guys
Ferrell and Wahlberg surprising turns out to be the funny cop duo we hardly get anymore. But whats disappointing is that it's unclear what this film was supposed to be (if it was to be other than a comedy) as the script dozes out through it's financial ploy. Nevertheless, fans can be glad that they now have another Ferrell character to put in their hall of fame list. It's also a great comedic start for Wahlberg too. ... More


Posted by norgizfox at 18:59, 09 January 2013 \| Report This Post



Opinion divided - Possibly a gender thing
I thought this had enough charm, light heartedness, fun and some good gags to make it casual viewing, but probably nothing more. My girlfriend thought it was one of the worst films she's ever seen. I think that's because her sense of humour is very European, so draw from that what you will. I personally found it hard not to warm to some extent to a film that depicts a police chief, played by the awesome Michael Keaton, repeating TLC lyrics throughout and claiming no knowledge of the g... More


Posted by ApotheosisX at 08:01, 31 January 2011 \| Report This Post



RE: Much Funnier Than Expected
It's a superb action & comedy movie. Derek Jeter, Samuel L.Jackson, Eva Mendes are amazing in the other guys movie. I love their characters especially Eva Mendes, she is superb.. ... More

Posted by kalvin at 10:01, 19 November 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
L: BOHEMIANBOB L: superdudeo Firstly, Talladega Nights is awful - this is much much better and pretty much on the same level as anchorman. How can you place Talladega Nights on the same level as anchorman? Secondly, Empire gave Anchorman 3 stars anyway as the above person states. The Other Guys is one of the best comedies of the year, everyone was laughing consistently on out viewing. Ignore this review. adega Nights is SUPERB!!! Help me Oprah Winfrey....ote] Talla... More

Posted by kargon at 17:50, 11 November 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: RE:
Almost forgot, Coogan was the best thing in this film and he wasn't given much to do, he pisses over Ferrels "comedic" stylings. ... More

Posted by kargon at 17:47, 11 November 2010 \| Report This Post



RE:
When oh when will I learn, not to watch Will Ferrel films. The idea was okay and there where a fewlaughs, but overall, shite, I give you the scene in which Mark Wallbergs is sayiong he's a lion and would come after Ferrel in the sea etc , bladdy bladda, pretty obvious Ferrel had something to do with it, same old shit again and again. 1 and a half stars, and that's generous. also what's with the bad use of music throughout ... More

Posted by kargon at 17:46, 11 November 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: Dear Empire
L: Urban_Achiever Need I remind you, you gave Anchorman 3 STARS. Every time I read a review that talks about Anchorman as some sort of holy grail I cant help but remember you weren't too fond of it when it first emerged. Stop using the film as some sort of landmark in recent comedy standards if your review doesn't reflect this attitude. This 3 star film was not quite as good as THAT 3 star film. nsistency there Empire. /quote] Maybe, just maybe, Anchorman was... More

Posted by horribleives at 23:13, 29 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
Aim for the Bushes, That is all. ... More

Posted by p_mc at 13:27, 22 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
A good giggle, I thought. It doesn't reach the realms of comedy genuis that is Anchorman, however Ferrell and McKay didn't put out something terrible. There were moments that the humour fell flat, yet as a whole it was thoroughly enjoyable. Mark Wahlberg's insane tantrums and Will Ferrell's straight-laced to pimp-mode were brilliant! What sealed the deal for me was Michael Keaton though - I didn't want him to stop quoting TLC ... More


Posted by Jessica_ca_ca_ca at 13:21, 22 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: okay but fell a little short
Well, unlike most people on this thread it seems, I thought it was brilliant. Easily the funniest film I've seen since The Hangover. It seemed like the kind of film Starsky and Hutch should have been but wasn't, and all the cast are on rare form. I'll definitely be buying it when it comes out. Oh, and remember: Pimps don't cry. ... More


Posted by superdan at 12:08, 21 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
Some good laughs along the way but not consistently funny enough and far too long to rival the likes of Anchorman for best Ferrel movie. 3 stars is pretty much on the money. ... More


Posted by skeletonjack at 19:10, 20 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
I found this quite funny as did everyone in my mid morning viewing at Cineworld, which was only 12 people .... but still ... quite funny. The thing is you go to this kind of movie knowing what to expect which should not dissapoint. The action scenes were great which did surprise and it did drag a bit in the last half hour but overall Empires review of three stars was on the money. All hot women finding Ferrel attractive? I can empathise ] ... More

Posted by Beno at 10:07, 20 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
I really wanted to like this as the trailer looked funny and I like Mark Wahlberg doing comedy but this is a really confused film which shows that sometimes good improv skills are no match for a good script. You can see all of the points where McKay has left the camera running as the non-sequiters feel completely out of place. Will Ferrell shows only flashes of the brilliance which made him such a household name. Mark Wahlberg is funnier, particularly in his scenes with Eva Men... More


Posted by Groovy Mule at 21:12, 19 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
Seen it today. Oh dear,it is a very weak film.There are some good one-liners,which should be a given for the people involved,but not much else. The central "plot" was ridiculous,but ridiculous in an unfunny and boring way. Kudos to Wahlberg,he did the best with the poor material he had. Coogan is Coogan,dire and miscast. The film suffers the early loss of the Rock and Jackson and never recovers.Is it a comedy?Is it zany?Is it an action film? Sadly it's none of these thingsars for me... More


Posted by BOHEMIANBOB at 21:21, 18 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
Ferrell just makes everything funny. ... More

Posted by vad3r at 20:45, 17 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
Just saw The Other Guys, wasn't quite as good as I expected but it was a lot fun. Some lines are just genius and the idea of Michael Keaton working at Bed Bath and Beyond althewhile peppering his advice with TLC lyrics is simply divine lol Not really surprised Wahlberg was good in this, he's proven himself to be a very good comedy actor in films like I Heart Huckabees and Date Night and a rather poor dramatic actor otherwise (with some rather dull exceptions I'll concede). ... More

Posted by Edward Nygma at 19:12, 17 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
Thought it was OK but it kind of ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes or so, the jokes dried up and the ending was a more or less average kind of cop film ending. I thought it was the weakest of Ferrell & McKay's four films together, but it still has it moments - "I'm a peacock, let me fly!" and that heart warming duet between Ferrell and Eva Mendes 'Pimps Don't Cry' is surely an early favourite for the Best New Song award at next years Oscars... ... More

Posted by Indio at 18:44, 17 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
L: superdudeo Firstly, Talladega Nights is awful - this is much much better and pretty much on the same level as anchorman. How can you place Talladega Nights on the same level as anchorman? Secondly, Empire gave Anchorman 3 stars anyway as the above person states. The Other Guys is one of the best comedies of the year, everyone was laughing consistently on out viewing. Ignore this review. adega Nights is SUPERB!!! Help me Oprah Winfrey.... ... More

Posted by BOHEMIANBOB at 11:36, 16 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
Funniest film of the year. The whole cinema was in stitches. ... More

Posted by vad3r at 17:21, 14 September 2010 \| Report This Post



RE: The Other Guys
It is nice to see Wahlberg trying his hand at comedy, thought he was funny in Date Night. The rest of the film looks pretty lame, although if Eva Mendes gets a decent size part it might be worth checking out. ... More

Posted by ElephantBoy at 16:19, 14 September 2010 \| Report This Post

The Other GuysCrackpot Fuzz

The Other Guys
Crackpot Fuzz