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| Universal Pictures |
As the summer movie
season reaches its final month, 2 guns
appears to be an appropriate film for this point in time. August is somewhat of
a cool down month as the big name, mainly franchise installments of the summer have
come and gone and all that is left is smaller films with lower expectations
(less pressure). This summer is unique though in the way that no film, the ones
I have seen anyway, has really lived up to or surpassed expectations, making a film
like 2 Guns something that is needed
rather than easily dismissed as it could be if circumstances were different.
It’s clear that 2 Guns isn’t trying to flip the industry on the top of its head as
it is not a heavily marketed, big budget spectacle looking to be the first of a
franchise. 2 guns looks like a film
that blends action and humor while not doing anything more than highlighting
the admirable traits of its two stars, Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg and
guess what? That is exactly what it is,
making it surprisingly refreshing (oddly enough).
2 Guns begins with Robert
‘Bobby’ Trench (Denzel Washington) and Michael ‘Stig’ Stigman (Mark Wahlberg)
planning to rob $3 million dollars from a bank. It is here that the audience is
introduced to the smooth swag of Trench and the energetic, flirtatious ways of
Stigman. The duo runs into problems though when the robbery does not go as
planned and drug lord Papi Greco (Edward James Olmos), the DEA, the CIA and the
Navy all get involved.
I’m aware that the
above plot description leaves a lot to be desired but with how things transpire
and who’s who plays a major part of the plot, going any further in an
explanation would likely spoil something. I will say that it is important to
pay close attention due to all that is going on. With all the multiple parties involved
along with the motives they possess it becomes difficult to keep everything
straight.
To be honest, 2 Guns cluttered plot and the odd use of
supporting characters is the films weakest aspects. Earl (Bill Paxton) from the
CIA and Deb (Paula Patton) from the DEA are both characters that have a major
impact on the plot but these are moments that never feel earned as they continue
to abruptly become a part of a situation without any real setup. I guess this
is what happens when you have such an outlandish plot which only gives another
reason not to take it all too seriously. The good news is that it doesn’t take
long to realize that realistic thought isn’t needed. Even better news is that
the people on screen are also aware of this.
With all this this said
though, it isn’t the story that it is the selling point. Washington and Wahlberg
are obviously the two draws and this is where the movie is. So if you’re a
Washington or Wahlberg fan than 2 Guns maybe
something you should consider watching and if your fan of both then it should
be a no brainer. Yes, they both give performances that you have likely seen from
them before and there are a few times when things are a little too hammed up
but for the most part they fit into the roles quite nicely. Wahlberg has been
successful with his tough guy persona mixed with humor which is exactly who
Stigman is. Trench is a much darker, subtle character that often gives off the
impression that he is in control, something Washington has down pat.
By no means should
movies strive to just be ‘alright’. Unfortunately a lot of movies do have
‘alright’ or ‘average’ as a goal and a majority of the time they fail to even reach
this poor goal which could be the reason for the heightened entertainment of 2 Guns.
2 Guns is nowhere near a perfect film or even one that has a wide
appeal but given how this summer has played out, it’s alright to have a film
like this come along. Over the past few months few films have been able to live
up to expectations so with 2 Guns not
surpassing but meeting expectations, it is a recommendable summer movie even if
only for Washington and Wahlberg.
Grade:
C+
