From the moment I first saw the trailer for Cop Out, there was no doubt in my mind that this movie was going to be one of the worst movies ever produced in the history of cinema. So sure was I that Cop Out was going to be another one of Kevin Smith‘s signature bad movies, I even swore an oath to Mr. Wilson that I wouldn’t even bother seeing it. But having just seen it, I can tell you that you really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Which is precisely why I wait for books to be made into movies, so that I can judge them by their previews instead (that, and I‘m also too lazy to read). Only, I’ve also just learned that you can’t judge a movie by its preview either.
Words cannot express how surprised I am that I did not HATE this movie. In fact, I think I may have even… liked it. Let me tell you, my only real motivation for seeing it was so that I can put up a new review right away, and since I thought I knew in my heart of hearts that I was going to despise it with every bone in my body, I had already written half the review without having actually seen the movie. If you don’t believe me, here’s a little sample of what was about to be my review of Cop Out…
What can I say? I paid $9.50 to see the worst movie ever, and I got my money’s worth. If there’s any wonder why Kevin Smith is flying coach on Southwest Airlines and getting kicked off because he‘s too fat and nobody on board recognizes him, it’s because of movies like this. Does Martin Scorcese have a problem with leg room while he’s flying first-class? Does Steven Spielberg have a hard time getting comfortable on his own airplane? Does Michael Moore ever worry about not fitting when they fork-lift him into the cargo hold of a C-130? Then neither should Kevin Smith.
Except for the part about Cop Out being the worst movie ever, I stand by all that.
Where was I when Kevin Smith suddenly decided to make a decent movie? I mean, seriously, what year is this? Did I fall asleep behind my computer monitor and wake up in the future, when cars are hybrids, America is a communist country, and Kevin Smith is directing movies I actually enjoy seeing? Or is that I just haven’t even bothered seeing a Kevin Smith movie since Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back? More importantly, do you really blame me?
And let’s face it, the previews for this movie looked so blatantly UNfunny, that it’s a mystery to me why so many people I know saw the trailer and said, “Oh my God this movie looks GREAT!” Not to mention that there must already be a thousand movies about your typical tough-as-nails white cop and your stereotypical bumbling idiot black cop, teamed up to form the same unlikely partnership we’ve seen a million times. Aren’t African-Americans getting sick and tired of movies where the only black character is a total jackass?
Nevertheless, while you can definitely add Cop Out to that long list of movies, all in all, I thought it was entertaining, with or without Tracey Morgan (whom I’ve never found to be funny, but he at least managed to exceed even my poorest expectations). Of course, there are scenes that I think may have been over the top and should have been left out. Then again, there are scenes in every movie that I think should be left out. Take Legion for instance. That entire movie should have been edited out. But if you’re looking for some laughs tonight, then what the hey. Check out Cop Out. You might be surprised.