MovieChat Forums > National Security (2003) Discussion > This movie fails because Zahn is endeari...

This movie fails because Zahn is endearing and Lawrence obnoxious

posted 16 years ago by KingofCarrotFlowers
5 replies | jump to latest

The characters I mean, everyone I know who's seen the movie agrees that it's terribly hard to have simpathy for Lawrence's character when he's so horrible to such a lovable and decent character as Zahn's. It throws things off kilter Lawrence being basically a villain who gets glorified by the movie, it makes for uncomfortable cinema if you ask me and Lawrence's unprovoked mistreating of Zahn is almost painful to watch (case in point, when they first meet Zahn's girlfriend). It doesn't help that Martin's comedy isn't on top shape here and relies on too many beaten cliches.

I'm a Stone Age Romeo got my Space Age Juliet we'll take Guitars to Mars and hit the discotheque

[–] HowYaLikeDemApplesWill 14 years ago

Hmm, really strange that this is what made the movie not work for you...because this is essentially the formula for every buddy "cop" movie. Beyond the black-white thing (Lethal Weapon, 48 Hours, Running Scared, Die Hard, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Men in Black, Rush Hour, Beverly Hills Cop, The Last Boy Scout) which in itself is going to lead to contrasts and conflict between cultures of the main two characters, they also generally do have the one "likable" cop/criminal, and one "irascible/cranky" cop/criminal.

Because for me personally, this movie just sucked balls overall, not because one of the characters was likable, and the other was not. It was silly, inane, unbelievable, and I couldn't have cared less about the main characters or how the movie turned out...and I generally like both of these actors.

It was like a really bad Armed and Dangerous.

[–] robl0051 11 years ago

He's not unlikable because they have extreme and different views on race, or his reactions to the conflict that arises from those differences, it's because Lawrence really doesn't care that he destroyed Zahn's life DESPITE the fact that Zahn never assaulted him. Oh yeah, and Zaughn just lost his partner minutes beforehand.

Lawerence was an inconsiderate, self centered dick who also happened to hate the treatment of black people in society. But he never aknowledged the fact that he was ever in the wrong, he just thought if they became partners it would all be good.

[–] gregglop09 10 years ago

The movie is hilarious. It also happens to have good action scenes. It's not everyone's cup of tea. And for this kind of movie, you need to turn your brain off.

[–] robl0051 10 years ago

It's one thing for a film to ask you to turn your brain off, it's another to be treated like an idiot. This film, sadly, is the latter.

[–] HarlemEagle42 (18433) a year ago

Pretty much nailed it. That their first interaction escalates so quickly is a big problem;I get it's a comedy but it still felt forced. Perhaps if they redid the police training scene in the beginning where ML is not a lunatic, but passes the course like a professional only to be turned down because the instructor is an asshole. That would at least explain his outburst of anger at Steven Zahn later when they first meet.