Det. Ray Hughes (Gregory Hines) and Det. Danny Costanzo (Billy Crystal) are on the streets of Chicago when they spot a Mercedes in a sketchy neighborhood. "In this neighborhood, a Mercedes is probable cause." Snake (Joe Pantoliano) and a recently paroled drug dealer, Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits) step out of the car. Though Gonzales gets away, they manage to catch Snake and find he has a suitcase filled with cash. They force Snake to assist them in tracking down the bigger fish, Gonzales. Though they arrest Gonzales, it proved to be a fiasco that nearly cost them their lives. Captain Logan (Dan Hedaya) sends them on a mandatory vacation. The pair go to Key West and are soon seduced by the sunsets and pretty women. They buy a bar and plan to retire to Florida. Back in Chicago, they turn in their 30 day notice for retirement. However, Gonzales is back on the streets! The duo are determined to put him back in prison before they leave for Key West.
A comedic take on the buddy cop movie, Hines and Crystal have great chemistry. When there is action, it follows the standard 80s playbook of Uzis, hole-blowing shotguns, crazy car chases, and macho bravado. But when it switches to comedy, it gets zany. The police lineup where 4 officers in uniform stand next to the suspect was outlandishly funny. Or when the detectives, neither wearing pants, chase after a suspect. "We lost the suspect, our keys, our car, OUR PANTS!" The shifts in tone work amazingly well and it is unfortunate that the sequel never materialized.
A really fun 80s movie. Highly recommended.
No comments:
Post a Comment