Hollywood Homicide (2003)

For a film that takes piece in Hollywood, CA. I was deeply surprised on how little, it has to do with the entertainment industry. Without spoiling the movie directed by Ron Shelton, too much, this buddy cop comedy was supposed to be, about two cops, Joe Gavilan (Harrison Ford) & Detective K. C. Calden (Josh Hartnett) investigate the murder of an up-and-coming rap group. However, it spends most of the time, exploring the two men, secondary jobs as a real estate broker and yoga instructor, way too painfully long. Seeing Gavilian try to sell, a house to Julius Armas (Master P) or Calden hooking up with his student, while training as an actor, wasn't really needed, as it has little to do with the plot. It was just pointless filler, that wasn't funny. I would rather, have quick sly sharp dialogue satire about Tinseltown with celebrity cameos, over bloated over long boring jokes about property valuation. You know, something like 1984's 'Beverly Hills Cop'. Don't get me wrong, it's is still an appealing premise of seeing a cop have two jobs, but it shouldn't be, the main focus. Even buddy cop comedy films like 2010's 'The Other Guys'; didn't exhibit that, as part of the main plot. Instead, in that film, it was given to a minor, supporting character with limited screen time. Yes, I know 'Hollywood Homicide' was based on the real-life experiences of Los Angeles detective/writer, Robert Souza, who also work as a real estate broker, but if you're going to market, your film, as an action comedy similar to 1987's film 'Lethal Weapon'. Then, you better has to be, some action in your movie, as well! Sadly, this comedy, has little, of. The pacing for this movie is awful, with most of the action, happening in the climax. While, it's true that the movie has some short sequences that the characters, do something, besides talking, like, stopping a random perp from taking the gun off a patrol officer's belt & chasing another one through a stream of water. It just doesn't add much to the main plot. Even, when the action does play, a big part of the film, it's not that entertaining. Set pieces like Gavilian negotiating a real estate deal on his cell phone, while driving was disturbing to watch. His partner was no better. Seeing K. C Calden take control of a mini-van, full of screaming children, fear for their lives was just painful to watch. None of these sequences, were amusing. It was just awful to watch. Another problem, with this movie is the overused of cop clichés like the idea of a mole cop, Lieutenant Bernard "Bennie" Macko (Bruce Greenwood) trying to get the two police officers, thrown off the case, or having the investigation, reveal that it led to one of the officers fathers getting mysteriously gunned down in the past. In a film that supposed to be, making fun of these overplayed clichés, the film instead choose to take those things, very seriously, even forcing emotional music, down our throats, when one of the cops finds out that the truth, about his father. Another problem, with the story, is even though the investigation is supposed to take place in Los Angeles, quite a large city by any measure, everyone keeps running into everyone else and it turns out that all the same characters are all connected to every major event in each other's lives. It's a bit unrealistic with all the coincidences. Even, the ending, car chase was only produce, by sheer luck of the heroes, somewhat meeting with the villains in a same random place. It was such, a lazy cop out! This movie is so badly written. Despite that mess. The acting in this movie, is surprisingly, not that bad, even with the clunky exposition dumps and out of place dialogue. Harrison Ford's 'don't give two sh*t' attitude kinda works for the tone of his character. Josh Hartnett was also alright in the role, even if his character was a bit of a stretch as a detective, due to Calden having little to no skills in observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning. Also, it's hard to believe, that anybody would be, point in homicide department with that, bad of a marksmanship. It's also sad, that both of the actors didn't get along with each other, during production. It shows in how little chemistry, they had on screen. As for the supporting characters. The villains played by Isaiah Washington and Dwight Yoakam, were alright, even if they're hardly memorable as record label producer, Antoine Sartain and henchman, Leroy Wesley. I totally forgot that, they were in the movie, until I rewatch it, last night. To put simply, I remember, minor supporting actors like Master P & Martin Landau as Julius Armas & Jerry Duran, more, than the actors, supposed to be, the cruel antagonists. Overall: This movie is a total failure. No wonder, why it stuck in Development Hell for several years, and changed gears midway through production when it was reworked from a serious drama about controversial music promoter, Suge Knight, involvement in the mysterious shootings of rapper, Tupac Shakur & The Notorious B.I.G to a comedic fictional vehicle for Ford and Hartnett. If films like this, is what Hollywood is now known for. Then, Hollywood should call it, quits. It's not worth checking out. Call this advice, a good example of serve and protect.

If it wasn't for the exact last five minutes - when the bad guy is catch/killed , I would have gave this a nice 7/10 and recommend it.It is not up to the Beverly Hills Cop entertainment level, but it was pleasant enough. Ford was excellent in the role, not the best character, but consistent and definitely up to the task, more than any other of his films since Indiana and SW. Josh Hartnett acting is decent and acceptable, so is the directing for most of the characters.Speaking of characters, the bad guys are all black rappers. Yep, 2003 Now why is this movie a disaster? Because exactly 5 min. before the end, someone took the film rolls , pile them up and started to hatch them up. The worst 'bad' guy is an horrible actor, the worst choice among otherwise some fine and lively characters in the movie. But the insult here is the final physical fight. I have never seen this other than in a Van Damme film (but much better acted). A final fight in the pure tradition of WWE with all the fake kicks, moans and stuff, all clearly visible and clearly played up. B series movies do this better.Oh, and a 70 million production cost for such type of film?

There's nothing to spoil so don't worry about that.This thing was hanging onto about a 4 until the last 40 minutes; everything after that point drops it to a 2. Part of me is debating whether I should be more generous, but the gap doesn't seem big enough. It kind of just ran into a wall and fell down hard.It's pretty bad but not the worst ever. Really there's no reason to waste my time or your time on it and I just felt compelled to contribute to the score. Unfortunately I am not doing both in reaching for this ten line minimum.Be assured that reading this was less boring than the film it reviewed.

Harrison Ford is Mr. Blockbuster, but not in this movie.As a Los Angeles homicide investigator, Joe Gavilan (Harrison Ford) is a competent detective of the homicide division and a real-estate broker in his spare time to pay his debts and mortgage. His partner K.C. Calden (Josh Hartnett) is also an aspiring actor, looking for a chance in the cinema industry to quit his position in the police department. While Gavilan and Calden are investigating the death of four rappers, the dirty Lt. Bennie Macko (Bruce Greenwood) of the internal affairs and enemy of Gavilan is chasing them. 'Hollywood Homicide' is a silly and forgettable movie, although having a great cast and a very high budget. I agree with the title of the comment of another user: 'I'd rather just watch "Lethal Weapon" again...' Me too. My vote is six, and that is being generous.