Street Kings (Fox Search light)
L A Confidential Present Tense
Several years ago there was an award winning film titled L A Confidential. That movie was based on a story by James Ellroy and concerned LA of the 1950s. Now there is a movie titled Street Kings. It too is based on a James Ellroy story and it concerns LA of the present day. I dont know if it will win any awards but it is a totally enjoyable film.
Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves) is an LA police detective. When his partner (Terry Crews) is killed he determines he will not rest until he captures his killers. His boss, Captain Wander (Forest Whitaker), wants him to let it go because of some unfavorable circumstances surrounding the killing. Still Ludlow and another officer, Detective Diskant (Chris Evans), work together to find out who the killers were.
The deeper they dig the worse things become. It seems there is some corruption in the police department and anyone could be dirty. Ludlows fierce determination to solve the murder may end up getting him killed.
The plot is more complex than that simple analysis indicates, and each action in the movie has a causal reaction at some later time. It all comes together at the end of the film and everything is explained but you might not understand all the fine points. I didnt.
Reeves is at his best in this movie. He looks and acts the part of the disillusioned detective. He isnt the best actor in Hollywood but there is something vaguely charismatic in his portrayals. In comparison Chris Evans is a non-presence in this film. He stood out in The Fantastic Four but he is underwhelming in this movie. His heart just doesnt seem to be in this performance.
Whitaker is a dynamic presence as the embattled Captain Wander. He is bombastic and fascinating in this role. Hugh Laurie is a milder presence as an opposing Captain. Still the two men mange to make their scenes stand out even with completely different acting styles.
Jay Mohr, John Corbett and Amaury Prison Break Nolasco provide able support as fellow police officers. Cedric the Entertainer is a bright spot as a police informer while Naomie Harris makes an impression as Ludlows partners widow.
The movie is rated R for profanity and violence.
Street Kings is a grimy look at the world of crime in present day LA. It presents a hero for these times and shows him to be flawed but noble. In this movie the bad guys are the ones who pay the ultimate price,
I scored Street Kings a one way 7 out of 10.
