War On Everyone (2016)
Director: John Michael McDonagh. (15)
Rating: 2/5 - Fair/passes the time
Synopsis
Bob (Michael Pena) and Terry (Alexander Skarsgard) are possibly the most corrupt cops in the New Mexico police who think nothing of running over drug dealers, stealing their cache, keeping some to use and then selling it on. But they may have met their match, when a debauched English Lord (Theo James) arrives in town and whose own criminality upsets all of their plans. They set out to teach him who the bosses are.
Review by Jason Day
Despite the promising start to this anarchic, foul-mouthed comedy, as the anti-hero, anti-hierarchy, anti-everything-but-themselves police detectives merrily abuse not only the hapless criminals who happen across them, but also neighbourhood cars and their own children, this derivative Tarantino-wannabe film ultimately ends up as just a crude and nasty way to spend an hour and a half.
I got the joke, but ended up not laughing as the humour in this rip-off copy of Pulp Fiction (1993) became increasingly obvious and desperate (I won't point out the similarities to Quentin's uber-cool classic, they are there for all to see).
Which is a shame for, after hurtling rapidly down hill after the first 15 minutes or so, Pena and Skarsgard make a smashing duo throughout the whole caper and the female supporting cast do more than just support. They have strong roles atypical of the female norm in buddy-buddy cop movies.
For more, read the full review: here
Cast & credits
97mins. Reprisal Films/Head Gear/Kreo Films/Metrol.
Producers: Chris Clark, Flora Fernandes-Morengo, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross.
Writer: John Michael McDonagh.
Camera: Bobby Bukowski.
Music: Lorne Balfe.
Sets: Wynn Thomas.
Michael Pena, Alexander Skarsgard, Theo James, Tessa Thompson, Stephanie Sigman, Caleb Landrey-Jones, Malcolm Barrett, David Wilmot, Paul Reiser.
Pic credit: Icon Films
