The Ferrell/McKay partnership was extremely fruitful. Step Brothers is strong. Talladega Nights decent. Anchorman 2 was definitely a film that was released. Then there’s The Other Guys, which for me is second only to The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Who knew that Mark Wahlberg could be so funny? I think it’s fair to say that his range is…limited. But his character, disgraced Detective Terry Hoitz, is a great fit for him. If he’s not outright angry, he’s confused or infuriated. That “wtf” face is something Wahlberg does well, plus he’s got great chemistry with Ferrell, who manages to be both the more boring and crazier of the pair. Because you know “Gator don’t play no shit, ya, ya feel me?”
The Other Guys doesn’t go five minutes without a quotable scene. F shacks. Dirty Mike and the Boys. Aim for the bushes. Peacocks. TLC references. Which brings us to Michael Keaton. He’s so damn good in this and clearly enjoying it. His timing and delivery of frankly ridiculous sentences just works.
So it’s hilarious. But there is a serious thread throughout, culminating in credits with infographics explaining the frankly horrific financial situation in the United States. Other cops may be chasing drug dealers, but these other guys are calling out people on scaffolding violations, which leads to much much more. Why should we care about petty crime when financial organisations are so crooked? Is this a sort of prequel to The Big Short? Sort of.
That real life scariness doesn’t undermine the jokes though. Think about it, but don’t take it too seriously. As that would be missing the point. It’s childish and stupid. But I really enjoy this film. Desk pop!
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