MovieChat Forums > Cop Out (2010) Discussion > So nobody got that this was...

So nobody got that this was...

posted 15 years ago by cstephenson-1
112 replies | jump to latest

an 80's buddy cop movie? Smith made a straight 80's action comedy homage. From the Harold Faltermeyer score, the use of almost all 80's songs, the excessive profanity (like from 48hrs, Beverly Hills Cop, Midnight Run, Tango & Cash) which we don't really get in action comedies anymore, the oafish, moronic rival cops (Pollack and Brody), and capped off with the ridiculously simple/overcomplicated plot (involving baseball cards, a USB drive, a daughter's wedding, and a potentially cheating wife), this was a GIANT 80's buddy cop movie. Take out the You Tube references, the cell phones and the USB stuff and this movie could have been made exactly as is and released in 1988 with Clint Eastwood in the Willis role and Damon Wayans in the Morgan slot. I think they even say the word "HOMAGE" like 10 times in the first 5 minutes.

COP OUT is a straight-up, no-holds-barred Kevin Smith 1980's buddy cop movie. Once that settled in, I was quite enjoying what it was trying to do. I can understand people not enjoying it, but I have to give Smith credit for being so original in making an intentionally derivative film. Look for more of this later this summer when The Expendables in completely misunderstood.

[–] haileris-2 15 years ago

It may have been intended as a hommage to the 80s, but it ended up being an insult to that decade. Does the fact that it was done with an eye on the 80s make it suddenly a good movie? Nope.
There was a horror movie, I think it was "House of the Devil", which was done last year and was actually settled in the 80s, i.e. no cell phones, old cars, the clothes and hairstyles etc. And it was a piece of crap.
I love the 80s. I grew up in them, and with movies like "Beverly Hills Cop". But they were actually funny. I know, it depends on ones sense of humour, but long conversations about poop, "funny" side characters that annoy people by repeating stuff and doing knock-knock- and your-momma-jokes, someone is getting kicked in the groin ... wow. This is just ... so ... wrong.
So if you wanna honor the 80s either do it with a GOOD script or simply let it be remembered for the GOOD cop movies that were done back then (some of which were mentioned by the OP).

[–] sErpEnt_v 15 years ago

but I have to give Smith credit for being so original in making an intentionally derivative film

Seriously?

Being derivative is not original, pretty much by definition, intentional or not.

The movie was sort of enjoyable, at least the 'Dave' character had some decent scenes... but all in all this was simply a turd.

_____
I don't know, Butchie, instead.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] McArty 15 years ago

I dont give a shiii*t about what he tried to do. This movie sucks; i am sorry but it is the true.

[–] edtrash 14 years ago

in mcarty's world, it is true.

in my world, i enjoyed this movie. from the first music, you immediately recognized beverly hills cop style music, and the whole interrogation scene that was every 80's film movie set up the whole idea of "homage" for people that were astute.

people smarter than mcarty understand what homage means. i am sorry but it is the true.

[–] kol-8 14 years ago

95% of those 80's buddy cop movies were BAD MOVIES.
Bad movies from our modern point of view.
The only reason we remember them as anything but bad movies is because we grew up watching them, or our father or older brothers did and we inherited the love for them.

They simply are not good movie. Lots of cheese, lots of stuff that is improbably and makes no sense, lots of ridiculous *beep* going on... but we ate it up.

Kevin Smith hit the nail square on the head with this movie.
It was exactly like those 80's buddy cop movies in nearly every way shape and form.

Even the two rival cops were awesome 80's types.
The serious older tough cop, and the younger snarky cop who isnt so tough but ends up proving himself in the end.

GI:JOE Images - http://dailysportspages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5523

[–] slay-er 14 years ago

In terms of level of execution Cop Out stands quite lower than the best cop movies, IMHO. Just looks like a very rushed effort. He had elements of those 80s movies but couldn't put them all together.

[–] dxben99 14 years ago

I got that this was supposed to be an homage to these kinds of films as well, but how does that make it any good?

If I wanna be taken back to the 80's I just go and watch Beverly Hills Cop or any of those movies. I will still enjoy them, simply because I grew up with them and loved them.

Kevin Smith's movie is just not funny, and it does not give me any 80's throwback feeling whatsoever, not even with the cheesy music. This is because the dialogue sucks and I probably laughed only once (that was when Tracy Morgan was going on about his bowel movements).

BTW: Tracy Morgan just might be one of the least funny guys I've seen in a comedy for quite a while.

I usually like Seann William Scott, but in this, his character just irritated me.

I really hope Kevin Smith gets his act together and starts making good movies again (Zack and Miri was pretty mediocre as well).

I think this evening I will pop in "Lethal Weapon" and "Clerks" to remind me of better times... ;)

[–] timeforbreakfast 14 years ago

I liked the homage concept. I think the idea was fun and Kevin Smith set up some potentially really funny scenes. I just felt like every time we got to what should be a funny scene, the writing fell flat. For whatever reason, I just didn't find it funny. Imho Hot Tub Time Machine and Starsky & Hutch ere essentially the same film as Cop Out, but both were done much better.

[–] maffman2003 14 years ago

While i didnt like this movie either, It seems alot of people are forgetting that Kevin Smith didnt write this film. Yea alot of blame for the movie being bad goes to him but why is noone blaming the person who wrote the script??

Come lie on a bed of nails in slumber.

[–] DevilYouKnow 14 years ago

No.

Hot Fuzz was a homage to 80's buddy cop movies. Yet it still managed to get all the silly buddy cop cliches out, whilst simultaneously being good.

This was just pure crap.

http://werewolvesbeatingadeadhorse.blogspot.com/

[–] Howlin Wolf 14 years ago

I 'got' it; I just didn't think it was a very good attempt.

Damon Wayans was funny in The Last Boy Scout; Morgan wasn't particularly funny with what he was trying to do here, plus, what humour there was is much broader in "Cop Out", and the action is virtually non-existent.

This is where the magic happens... and by "magic", I mean nothing.